Joe Davis, the most dominant player in the history of snooker, was born on this day in 1901 in Whitwell, Derbyshire.
Davis won the first 15 consecutive world championships from 1927 to 1946, at which point he retired undefeated to focus on playing exhibition matches.
Recognised as the ‘founding father’ of the game by most seasoned observers, Davis, who died in 1978 aged 77, firmly deserves his status alongside five more of the greatest players to pick up a cue.
Fred Davis
Alex Higgins
Steve Davis
Stephen Hendry
Ronnie O’Sullivan
