Graham Miles
Encyclopedia
Graham Miles is a retired English
snooker
player.
Miles turned professional in 1969. He first gained recognition in 1974, when he reached the final of the World Championship
. Although he lost 22–12 to Ray Reardon
, this turned out to be the highlight of his career. He won Pot Black
in 1974 (after entering as a late replacement for Fred Davis, who withdrew because of illness), and again in 1975, but had little subsequent success. Other notable moments in Miles's career included the runner-up spot in the 1976 Masters
, again losing to Reardon, and what was then a championship record break of 139 in the 1978 UK Championship
. In 1979, he reached the final of the inaugural World Team Cup along with John Spencer
and Fred Davis, only to be beaten by Wales. His last major title was the Tolly Cobbold Classic
in 1981, when he beat Cliff Thorburn
5–1 in Ipswich
. During the 1980s, he slid down the rankings and he last played at the World Championship
in 1984.
Miles is left-eyed and has a large chin, so had one of the most distinctive styles in snooker to line up his left eye with the cue. The cue runs beneath his left ear, his chin hanging far over his cue; as he strikes the cue ball, the cue brushes his left cheek. He retired in 1992. After stopping playing, he ran two snooker clubs at Sandwell, West Midlands, and one at Crewe, Cheshire. However, he did play at the Seniors Pot Black competition in 1997.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
player.
Miles turned professional in 1969. He first gained recognition in 1974, when he reached the final of the World Championship
World Snooker Championship 1974
The 1974 Park Drive World Snooker Championship took place at Belle Vue, Manchester between 16 and 25 April 1974. The prelimnary round took place on the 11 April.Ray Reardon won in the final 22–12 against Graham Miles.- Notable moments :...
. Although he lost 22–12 to Ray Reardon
Ray Reardon
Ray Reardon, MBE is a retired Welsh snooker player. He dominated the sport in the 1970s, winning six World Championships in that decade...
, this turned out to be the highlight of his career. He won Pot Black
Pot Black
Pot Black was a British series of snooker tournaments televised by BBC, that played a large part in the popularisation of the modern game, from 1969 to 1986. The event was revived in the form of several one-off tournaments throughout the 1990s and up to 2007...
in 1974 (after entering as a late replacement for Fred Davis, who withdrew because of illness), and again in 1975, but had little subsequent success. Other notable moments in Miles's career included the runner-up spot in the 1976 Masters
Masters (snooker)
The Masters is a professional snooker tournament and the second longest running tournament outside the World Championship. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning the second biggest prize money.-History:The tournament was held...
, again losing to Reardon, and what was then a championship record break of 139 in the 1978 UK Championship
1978 UK Snooker Championship
The 1978 Coral UK Championship took place at the Guildhall, Preston between November 22 and December 1, 1978.1978 would be the first of 20 UK Championship competitions to be played in Preston's Guildhall...
. In 1979, he reached the final of the inaugural World Team Cup along with John Spencer
John Spencer (snooker player)
John Spencer was an English professional snooker player who won the World Professional title at his first attempt, was the first winner at the Crucible Theatre, was the inaugural winner of the Masters and Irish Masters and was the first player to make a 147 break in competition...
and Fred Davis, only to be beaten by Wales. His last major title was the Tolly Cobbold Classic
Tolly Cobbold Classic
The Tolly Cobbold Classic was a non-ranking snooker tournament staged between 1979 and 1984. It was held at the Corn Exchange in Ipswich and sponsored by local brewers Tolly Cobbold...
in 1981, when he beat Cliff Thorburn
Cliff Thorburn
Clifford Charles Devlin Thorburn CM, known as Cliff Thorburn is a retired professional Canadian snooker player...
5–1 in Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
. During the 1980s, he slid down the rankings and he last played at the World Championship
World Snooker Championship
The World Snooker Championship is the leading professional snooker tournament in terms of both prize money and ranking points. The first championship was held in 1927; since 1977, it has been played at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England...
in 1984.
Miles is left-eyed and has a large chin, so had one of the most distinctive styles in snooker to line up his left eye with the cue. The cue runs beneath his left ear, his chin hanging far over his cue; as he strikes the cue ball, the cue brushes his left cheek. He retired in 1992. After stopping playing, he ran two snooker clubs at Sandwell, West Midlands, and one at Crewe, Cheshire. However, he did play at the Seniors Pot Black competition in 1997.