Patsy Fagan, a former professional player is probably one of the best known faces of snooker in the late 1970’s. His rise to fame came in 1977 when he defeated Doug Mountjoy (12-9) at the first UK Championship in Blackpool. Fagan was part of a rat pack of the era, playing at the same time as Alex Higgins in his pomp. Ironically this was Patsy’s one and only professional title and the time the UK Championship was in its infancy and not even a ranking title. Film footage shows a twenty something Fagan presented the trophy by the snooker statesman, Joe Davis and Patsy was touted as a future World Champion but unfortunately this was never to be.
Fagan became plagued by something called the “yips” a fear of using the rest in a match when required and this sadly spread into and affected his form and performance in snooker. The rest is obviously a crucial piece of table equipment and many players over the years have been reluctant to use it as they feel it constrains the shot and increases the percentage chance of missing the intended object ball. Unfortunately Fagan played in an era when the screw in extended butt hadn’t been invented and so players were forever using equipment that would have looked better placed with a fisherman.
1977 was definitely Fagan’s year because in addition to winning the UK Championship he managed a non televised 147 against Dave Gilbert at the Clapton Bus Garage Social Club. Like hen’s teeth, a 147 was rarely seen and as no footage exists of the break we have to put it down to one of the mystical and special moments that only the audience could have experienced. What’s also special is that he did it on his 25th birthday but probably got the equivalent of shirt buttons for achieving such a fantastic goal.
Patsy was to chalk up only three further career wins, ironically both against Alex Higgins. The Dry Blackthorn Cup in 1977 winning 4-2 and the Suffolk Professional Invitational, beating Alex, 7-3. Fagan went on to reach the final of the Irish Professional Championship on three occasions in 1978, 79 and 81 but lost twice to Alex Higgins 13-21 and 12-21 and to Dennis Taylor.
Patsy continued to play snooker for many years despite suffering from the “yips” and retired from the sport in 1989 aged 38. I have met Patsy on several occasions and has always been very approachable, funny and charming. He usually attends the Masters with his wife and is always looked after and given the respect that he deserves as a former champion. Recently he has tried to qualify for several Seniors events but hasn’t managed to get through to the final stages. He now uses his time between spending time with his family, watching snooker and in recent years has been the coach to the player and friend of mine Alfie Burden.
