Cliff Thorburn

Clifford Charles Devlin Thorburn, CM known as Cliff Thorburn (born January 16, 1948 in Victoria, British Columbia) is a retired professional Canadian snooker player. A former world number one (one of only ten players to hold that spot), he was world snooker champion in 1980, one of only three players from outside the United Kingdom to win the world title in the modern era (along with Ken Doherty and Neil Robertson). In 1983, Thorburn became the first player to compile a maximum break at the world championships. Thorburn is one of only two snooker players to have been inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame the other being George Chenier. His slow, determined style of play earned him the nickname "The Grinder".

Career

Early career

Thorburn first went to England to play snooker professionally in the early 70s. He had met John Spencer in Canada, who had advised him to go to the UK to improve his game. He was runner up in the world championship in 1977, and was soon considered a contender for tournaments.