by elliott west
“Good order is the foundation of all things”
Edmunde Burke
Introduction
Snooker was largely a niche sport in the post war years with many tournaments being played behind closed doors. The creation of television, left snooker in the shadows for many years as its black and white format wasn’t able to do the game justice, relying on commentators such as Ted Lowe, having to denote the colour of the ball being attempted. However in 1969, came the dawn of colour of television and the handful of players that competed on the professional tour, were catapulted into the limelight. One such player was Bernard Bennett.
Career
Bernard Bennett was born in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey in 1931 and was introduced to snooker by his eldest brother, John. Bennett worked as a carpenter and in 1965, moved to Southampton to set up a building trade. Without any significant amateur career, Bernard turned professional in 1969 and payed the hefty £100 entrance fee to compete. Some would say this was a foolhardy move as he subsequently lost to Rex Williams, 4-25 in the first round. However to get anywhere in sport, you have to experience the pain of defeat before any success materialises.
This was the start of a long run of appearances at the World Championship with Bennett appearing in every tournament from 1969-1995 with the exception of the 1970 event held in Australia. The Englishman had limited success but instead played for the love of the game. With a string of first round exits, it wasn’t until 1974 that he managed to defeat Warren Simpson, 8-2. Simpson had discharged himself from hospital to play in the match and resulted in Bernard setting up a second round draw with Alex Higgins. Higgins inflicted a heavy 15-4 defeat on the Englishman but his progression, led him to being placed 18th in the professional rankings when they were first introduced in 1976.
Bernard went on to be narrowly defeated by Willie Thorne in in the 1977 UK Championship, 5-4, lost to Maurice Parkin in the 1978 World Championship, 4-9 and to Terry Griffiths in the first round in 1979, 2-9. This run of defeats continued through the 1980s and early 1990s , dropping to 124th in the rankings. He played his last match at the World Championship qualifiers in 1995, losing to Alfie Burden, 0-5.
The Other String to his Bow
Bernard Bennett may have seemed to have been an average player but its for his organisation skills in the development of snooker and billiards that should be better remembered for. Known for being an organiser, supporter and promoter of cue sports, Bennett was the owner of the Castle Snooker Club in Southampton. It was here that he organised many pro-am events in snooker and billiards, including the Castle Pro-Am in which a number of professional players played, Alex Higgins being one and the Castle Professional which featured thee professional players. Bernard privately financed these tournaments and was also able to purchase other clubs in the area as a result of his successful building trade. Ironically it was in his Castle Pro-Am he played best, defeating John Pulman and Doug Mountjoy , before losing to John Spencer, 3-5 in the final. Bernard was also a founding member of the Professional Billiards Player’s Association in 1969 and helped restart the World Professional Billiards Championship in 1971. He also won the Southampton Billiards and Snooker Championship in 1967, one of of only two players to win the title in his time as a member of the Bitterne Conservative Club. His highest break being 143 in a competition. Bennett passes away in 2002, aged 70.
“Commitment to the grass roots of the game was one of the most striking things about Bernard who was always desperate to enhance the profile and participation of the game he loved so much.”
Southern Daily Echo
A Bernard Bennett Cue
Bernard Bennett
