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Willie Thorne. A thread. When I was a kid, I was mad keen on snooker and in about 1979, I’d be 6, and Willie Thorne came to town to do an exhibition against one of the local clubs. My Dad got tickets and we went to watch, my parents and I. We happened to be sat in
The front row, and Willie saw me, this young kid in the first row, and as he played the team of the club, he kept coming over to me and talking to me, asking what shot I should play,
This went on until a break when he signed photos and had someone hand them out. The girl next to me got one, I didn’t.
The night drew on, and I had school in the morning, so we had to leave before the end.
Willie stopped us, and asked if I’d got the signed photo. “No” we explained that the girl next to me got one. Willie apologised, saying that was mean for me, and if he could take our address, he’d send one out to me.
My parents told me not to get my hopes up, as he was a busy man etc, and it might not come.
Sure enough, a week later, a letter and signed picture, along with an invite to his club in Leicester, if we were ever around that part of England arrived.
I was, beyond thrilled.
Sure enough, a week later, a letter and signed picture, along with an invite to his club in Leicester, if we were ever around that part of England arrived.
I was, beyond thrilled.
The year after. 1980, if memory serves my dad and I travelled to Sheffield to see the snooker world championships, the first time in my case, and in a break in play, who did we see walking the opposite direction, but Willie Thorne
“Dad dad! There’s Willie Thorne I cried as I was pulling at his coat sleeve “let’s go and say hello!”
“He won’t remember us kiddo “ replied my father. But, having heard the commotion, Willie looked over. He walked towards us. And stopped
“He won’t remember us kiddo “ replied my father. But, having heard the commotion, Willie looked over. He walked towards us. And stopped
He did remember me, this little Irish terror, and stopped down to ask how my game was going, and what my highest break was.
So RIP Willie. You hold a special place in my heart, for your kindness, generosity, and time. Thank you. God speed.
