By Elliott West
Introduction
Any snooker match needs a proficient referee with a steady hand and excellent observational skills. Over the years, many have graced the snooker stage, witnessing the drama and suspense that this sport conjures up. One just familiar face of the past is John Williams. Williams was involved in many of the iconic matches of the 1970s and 1980s. A man who was never phased by having to make a difficult decision and remained calm even when exposed to the wrath of Alex Higgins.
Career
Born in 1937, Ruabon, Wales, John was one of six children and grew up in the harsh landscape of the Welsh valleys. Originally trained as a metallurgist in a local steelworks, Williams was offered a place at Bolton Wanderers but had to decline the offer due to having to work weekends. After twenty years at the steel works, John made a career change to the Civil Service at the Department of Employment. During this period, in the 1960s, Williams gained a love for snooker through playing in his local snooker league, attaining a healthy high break of 73.
John Williams was also a referee at this time, becoming full-time when he left the Civil Service in 1981, organising Pontins’ events. Popular as a referee, Williams soon was overseeing main tournaments and presided over eleven World Championship finals, nine at the Crucible Theatre. He was the referee at the widely remembered final between Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor in 1985, witnessed Cliff Thorburn’s maximum break in 1983. He refereed the most finals of any of his colleagues which spanned from the Mans/Reardon final in 1978 to Peter Ebdon’s Crucible victory over Stephen Hendry in 2002. John also was there when rain stopped play at the Manchester Exhibition Hall due to a leaking roof in a quarter-final World Championship match between Fred Davis and Alex Higgins. A tarpaulin that was covering the glass roof gave way and flooded the table.
Williams was famously expelled from being a referee in 1983 after receiving a two-year suspended prison sentence after being caught selling non-existent snooker tables worth £6,500. He was later reinstated after an age discrimination case was launched against the WPBSA by John for unfair dismissal. Williams was 65 at the time but was led to believe by the governing body that he could work past the 64 year old retirement age.
Later Career
John Williams went on to be very popular face during this period with the likes of Alan Chamberlain, Len Ganley and John Street. After Sydney Lee retired from Pot Black in 1980, Williams became the referee on the popular, BBC programme and later came out of retirement in 2011 to oversee the World Seniors and again in 2012.
Summary
Williams was one of the best referees in a time when snooker was at its most popular nationally. John was a veteran of some of the best matches that have ever taken place but when later intervened about his career, he admitted that he couldn’t remember any of Cliff Thorburn’s 147 break and only parts of Dennis Taylor’s famous World Championship victory in 1985. A humble man who disappeared after his retirement from the mainstream, only to return on the request of World Seniors when asked. A true gentleman who stood up to Alex Higgins when he accused John of being in his line of shot at the Crucible.
