Stephen Hendry retires...

[WheresWally/ScottMcGarvey]

Most consistent player I've ever seen, though it seemed quite some time ago now that he 'lost something' - relatively young too. Give or take a few weeks, only a year between us.

I used to hate him, for always beating Jimmy White. Especially in that final where White was something like 17-8 up (?), and Hendry won the next 10 frames to win? (That sounds ridiculous, am I exaggerating/imagining?). Anyways, am sure Jimmy needed just one frame, and in the last frame, was only a red & a colour away, but lost concentration, and Hendry came up to the table, cleared up, winning something like his 8th (or 10th) frame on the trot.

You just knew that White wouldn't get another chance like that.

But a grudging respect for him anyway. Trivia time: stayed in the house next door to his for his first few years or so, in South Queensferry (right next to the Forth Bridge) must've been early '92.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

I'm interested to know how it is you "retire" from playing a game.
Isn't that like retiring from golf?

The rest of us play more snooker when we retire

[WheresWally/ScottMcGarvey]

Fair point CK

IIRC (think I read this somewhere), Hendry is a scratch golfer too.

Interesting that according to him, he's had 'the yips' for the last 10 years (snooker-wise anyway, don't know about his putting!)

[Earl Grey]

Never been a fan of his but have to acknowledge he was pretty consistent at the highest levels.
He got a 147 the other day so I'm a bit surprised re his retirement but there again he was embarrassingly outplayed when he got knocked out.

[portchesterblue]

he says he cant cope with teh schedule and just doesnt enjoy practising anymore, which is fair enough, and with £8.6m career winnings i dont think he will be short of a bob or two in his retirement

[Mr Nuts]

I'm interested to know how it is you "retire" from playing a game.
Isn't that like retiring from golf?

The rest of us play more snooker when we retire

Err .. It's his job .

[Pompski!]

Great player, never a favourite of mine though.

What the hell is he going to do for 11 hours a day now he's retired?

[Weybridge]

Great player, never a favourite of mine though.

What the hell is he going to do for 11 hours a day now he's retired?

Work behind a desk.

[Chiswick Blue]

Not a patch n Alex Higgins though, the greatest player of all time.

[Locky_McLockface]

Great player, never a favourite of mine though.

What the hell is he going to do for 11 hours a day now he's retired?

Another one for the After Dinner Speaker circuit, I reckon.

[Weybridge]

Great player, never a favourite of mine though.

What the hell is he going to do for 11 hours a day now he's retired?

Another one for the After Dinner Speaker circuit, I reckon.

If I had trouble sleeping, I'd be the first sign up to listen to Hendry after a 4 course dinner.

[portchesterblue]

i used to know a guy who worked for stanley casinos, and part of his job was to look after celebs when they were booked for events.
They arranged a snooker exhibition match on south parade pier. he was to pick up the two players from the station at two, take them to the venue so they could make sure all was good, then look after them until the event in the evening. they decided that they didnt want to go far and so went to the pub on the other side of the road (name escapes me but its the one on the corner). they discovered the pool table and promptly played all comers for money. they had to be dragged from the pub to play the exibition match, completely and totally pi$$ed.

The two players ??

Alex Higgins and Jimmy White

[Earl Grey]

If I had trouble sleeping, I'd be the first sign up to listen to Hendry after a 4 course dinner.

Know what you mean. I've always suspected his dull, monotone of a voice was because he's actually an android with a voice box he got from Stephen Hawking.
Think what you will of Parrot and Davis but at least they modify the pitch of their voices to add comprehension and interest to what they say.