By Elliott West
Introduction
John Virgo or JV as he is fondly known in the snooker community, is best known for being part of the programme ‘Big Break’, his trick shots, flamboyant waistcoats and commentary work. However beyond the glitz, lies a very good snooker player, who was a professional in a era when the game was developing into a major sport. He played in those smoke-filled working men’s clubs and the Burton billiards halls around Manchester, saw Alex Higgins develop as a player and was involved in those money games that snooker players of the era had to be involved in to earn a crust. He spent his early years playing in Potters Club in Salford, owned by Geoff Lomas. Lomas managed a lot of other professionals, JV played them all and was almost unbeatable.
The victor in the 1979 UK Championship, John’s snooker career can easily be forgotten in the wash of this one blaze of glory. Like any player, when putting them under the spotlight, it is important to drill down past the headlines and to reveal what made each such a worthy sportsman in their time.
Snooker Career
John Virgo’s earliest appearance, was funnily enough in a pool tournament, the American Pool Tournament in 1973 for the indoor league. A competition where he lost in the semi-final. Turning professional in 1976, Virgo shared the snooker stage with some of the greats of the 1970s, John Spencer, Ray Reardon, Eddie Charlton and the young and talented Alex Higgins. JV was considered at the time to be young, turning professional at 30 in a time when the more mature player was prevalent.
Virgo didn’t have to wait long for his first attempt at a Triple Crown trophy. In 1977, John reached the semi-final of the UK Championship, losing to the eventual champion, Patsy Fagan by a single frame 8-9. The lad from Salford, had already reached an earlier final, when he reached the final of the non-ranking 1975 Pontins Spring Open, losing to Ray Reardon 1-7.
John Virgo’s greatest moment in snooker, would have to be his UK Championship victory in 1979, beating Terry Griffiths in the final 14-13. Virgo had already attained some form, reaching the semi-final of the World Championship that season and so this tournament was a golden opportunity to build on this great run. Although not a ranking tournament at the time, John defeated Tony Meo, Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor en route to the final. A final where he was docked two frames for a session for being late, an error that John blamed on a miscommunication of the start time of the match. This win led to his highest position in the world rankings, attaining 10th in the 1979-1980 season.
JV went on to reach the semi-final of the British Open in 1986, losing to Willie Thorne, 4-9. His ranking dipped to 14 and he subsequently dropped out of the top 16 the next season. In 1993, Virgo attempted to qualify for the Grand Prix and the UK Championship but failed in both attempts. His other career victories came in the 1980 Bombay International where he defeated Cliff Thorburn 13-7, the 1980 Pontins Professional, beating Ray Reardon 9-6 and the 1984 Professional Snooker League where he he defeated Dennis Taylor in a Round-Robin format. Virgo also reached the final of the 1980 Champion of Champions, losing to Doug Mountjoy 8-10 and the 1984 Australian Masters, losing to Tony Knowles 3-7.
Commentary and Punditry
Since retiring as a professional in 1995, John has homed in on his very successful commentary for the BBC. An observer who cut his teeth with a microphone in the presence of Jack Karnhm, Clive Everton and the late, great Ted Lowe, John has developed a style of commentary that is informative, entertaining and full of catchphrases. Homing in on his years as a player, Virgo is able to weave his experiences into his dialogue. A man who works alongside Steve Davis, Ken Doherty, Stephen Hendry and John Parrott in the commentary box, is deeply loved and respected by his colleagues. A joy to hear at the BBC Triple Crown events. Someone who I often see, having a crafty cigarette outside.
The Entertainer
John Virgo has long been a joke teller and raconteur. Using his skills to their capacity, he is often spotted as an after dinner speaker or entertaining the audience with trick shots and impressions of other players, past and present. A sidekick to Jim Davidson on the long running, snooker-based quiz show, Big Break and a stable diet for World Seniors tournaments, this lifelong Manchester United supporter, now lives in Spain.
Summary
John Virgo is a player and commentator that always brings a smile to your face with his infectious humour. However, beyond the comedian, is a very loving and caring man. John knows the value of living, coming from a humble background. One of seven children, John’s mother was a housewife and father, a train driver on the Salford Docks, earning nine pounds and ten shillings a week. A household where there was an outside toilet and the children had to share a room. Virgo himself, struggled after his snooker career suffered and had his house repossessed. He also went through a period of gambling, once borrowing £200,000 to fund the addiction.
A man who used to play in snooker clubs for half a crown to supplement his income and started playing snooker, aged 12. He was also the boy’s champion of Great Britain in the under-16 category. John recently appeared at Willie Thorne’s funeral, reading a moving letter from Thorne’s wife, Jill. A speech that was both touching and moving. John and Willie both shared the same birthday. JV is definitely a true snooker statesman.
