By Elliott West
“A prolific break builder with a reputation for consistent long potting”
Billiards and Snooker magazine
Introduction
Born in 1935, Liverpool, Doug French started playing snooker aged 15 at the Wavertree Labour Club. A professional between 1981-1985 and 1991-1993, French was a successful amateur, winning numerous titles and as a professional, his highlight was reaching the semi-final of the 1984 International Masters.
Career
Doug French had a fantastic amateur career, initially winning the Butlins National Championship in 1965 and then the Pontins National Championship in 1970. He went on to reach the final of the English Amateur Championship in 1971, losing to Jonathan Barron. A final which he lost, 9-11. Later in 1971, French reached the final of the Granada Television Trophy tournament but was sadly defeated by John Virgo. Doug also teamed up with Des Myler for the inaugural National Pairs Snooker Championship in 1975 where they reached the final, losing to John Prosser and Des May.
Doug was accepted as a professional by the WPBSA in 1981 and his first tournament was the 1981 International Open where he he beat Geoff Foulds, 5-3 and Pat Houlihan, before being defeated by Rex Williams in the third round, 0-5. He was also defeated by Rex in the first qualifying round of the 1981 UK Championship.
At the 1982 Bass and Golden Leisure Classic, French he won 2-1 against Kingsley Kennerley but then lost to Paul Medati, 1-3. His first season ended with the 1982 World Championship where he beat Bernard Bennett, 9-3 and lost to Patsy Fagin in the second qualifying round, 6-9.
In the 1982-1983 season, Doug entered four tournaments but only one match but managed to perform better in the following season when the highlight of his professional came. French reached the semi-final of the 1984 Yamaha International Masters. Played in the Assembly Rooms in Derby, Doug played in Group 9, losing to Willie Thorne, 2-0 and by the same score line to Steve Davis. Steve Davis went on to win the tournament, beating John Dunning, 4-1 and Dave Martin, 3-0. Dave Martin and John Dunning finished as runners-up in second and third place.
Doug French resigned from the main tour after a poor performance in 1985-1985 season and again became an amateur. After rules changed regarding professional membership in 1991, where membership required a player to be over the age of 16 and could join via a fee, Doug rejoined. However French played poorly on his return and never progressed past the second qualifying round in all the events he entered in the 1991-92 season and one event in 1992-93. As a result, Doug fell of the tour in 1993 when he was one of 76 players to be disqualified for professional status due to resigning or not paying the £100 membership fee.
Summary
Doug French was clearly a fantastic amateur player, winning various titles but never managed to continue that form into his professional career. He was largely confined to the qualifiers with the exception of his semi-final run in the 1984 Yamaha International Masters. A great shame because I do feel he would have performed better in another era, winning several professional titles. He was someone who not afraid to play attackingly and loved a long pot attempt.
