Hoodwinked

By Elliott West

Introduction

Many names have been associated with snooker since its birth but within the sport’s community, one that is warmly remembered is that of Sid Hood. Hood, a former docker, started playing cue sports at the age of 14. Describing himself as a player who only practiced when only taking part in tournaments, Sid quickly rose up the career tree, winning the Grimsby title 11 times between 1957 and 1977 and representing England on 30 occasions.

The Hood Factor

Sid was a dominant force on the amateur circuit and in 1967 he reached the final of the English Amateur Championship, losing to Marcus Owen, 4-11. Again in 1970, he lost in the final to Jonathan Barron, after Barron won on the pink in the deciding frame, 7-11. Hood had won five of six of his round-robin matches to reach the final. Sid faired no better at the 1973 Norwich Union Open, reaching the quarter-final. After beating Jackie Rea, 4-0 and Mannie Francisco, 4-3, Hood eventually lost to Eddie Charlton, 0-4.

However Sid’s triumph came in 1975 when he won the English Amateur Championship, beating Willie Thorne in the final, 11-6. Encouraged by this win, the Englishman won the Grimsby, Lincolnshire and North of England titles in the same year. In 1977, Hood reached the final of the English Amateur Championship, losing this time to Terry Griffiths, 3-13, He also reached the final of the 1978 Pontins Autumn Open, losing to Jimmy White, 6-7.

Being a Professional Player

Sid Hood became a professional player in 1979 after two unsuccessful applications to the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. A course of action that started as a protest at the way the amateur circuit was being run at the time. Sid had limited success during this period, reaching the second round of the 1980 World Championship, beating John Dunning, 9-7 before losing to Ray Edmonds, 6-9. He then appeared in three further tournaments in the 1980-81 season but only managed one win. He also took part in the 1980 UK Professional English Billiards Championship, losing 1,029-1,670 to Steve Davis. Sid resigned from the WPBSA in 1983. Sid’s name is often fondly mentioned by players especially in Ron Gross’s former club in Neasden, North London. A snooker legend and a formidable player. He was inducted into the Snooker Hall of Fame in 2011.