Anthony Hamilton has hailed his former coach Terry Griffiths as ‘the best guy in snooker’ after the Welshman’s death was announced on Sunday.
The former world champion passed away aged 77 after a long battle with dementia and there has been a flood of fond memories of the hugely popular figure since his death was announced.
Griffiths won the World Championship, Masters and UK Championship in his pomp and then went on to become one of the greatest coaches snooker has seen.
Hamilton had the pleasure of working with him and the 53-year-old loved the time they spent together.
‘Really sad news. I haven’t been on social media because I don’t think I could put into words what a sound geezer he was,’ Hamilton told Metro. ‘He was the best guy in snooker, I think.
‘The most genuine guy, the best coach, amazing player and the funniest geezer you’ll meet in your life. It’s a real loss, a massive loss. Just the best guy.
‘Someone who all the players could go to if they really needed someone’s advice. He coached me for a few years and he was genuinely in your corner, like your dad would be, he was that into it, which meant the world for the players. It’s nice when they’re feeling every shot like you are.
‘All the players really appreciated Terry and he’ll be missed because there’s never going to be another Terry Griffiths in the world.’
The Sheriff of Pottingham worked with the 1979 world champ starting in 2006 and credits him with a dramatic improvement in his game at the time.
‘He got me back in the top 16 when I’d been in the wilderness for a couple of years,’ said Hamilton. ‘He’d looked at the rankings, I think I was in the 40s, and he said to me: “What the f**k are you doing in the 40s?”
‘We did some proper work at his club in Llanelli, massive full working days with him, working out how to start winning again. He got me back in the 16 and I can’t thank him enough.
‘I’m still using most of his words of wisdom to this day and I’ll pass them on myself. There’s not many Griffiths around that can put into words what you are feeling. The best guy.’
Hamilton and Griffiths’ playing careers overlapped, but they never met in a tournament. The Englishman reckons it would have been a tough day out for him if they did.
‘It would have been great to play the Griff. I’m not sure I’d have enjoyed it because he was granite, but it would have been an honour,’ he said.
‘I think he was a much better player than people give him credit for. He won the lot and worked it all out for himself back in the day when there were no real coaches.
‘People are a bit dismissive of players from the 70s and 80s. Horrible tables, heavy balls, cues were rubbish. If the main ones were around now they would be at the top of the game, they’d work it out, [Ray] Reardon and Griff and players like that.’
Hamilton has been on the professional tour since 1991 but is flirting with the cut-off point of number 64 in the world rankings.
Currently in that #64 slot, if he finishes the season below that mark then his epic stint as a pro would be over, but although he knows it would be a big change in his life, he feels ready for his next step.
‘I’m happy enough either way, to be honest,’ he said of the prospect of retiring. ‘I can carry on playing another year or two if poss, but if I come off then that’s the start of the next chapter of coaching. I’m ready for it, I think.
‘It’s stressful trying to stay on tour round the 60s. I’ve been there for a few years and you’re playing for your livelihood, there’s enough pressure without having to do that.
‘I’d play in Q School because I’d still be sharp from the season, but then that would be it. If I got through I’d play another year or two, but I wouldn’t play the amateur tour because you’d have to practice all year round. If I start coaching I’ll be all in.
‘It will be a shock to the system after 30-odd years, not having that routine anymore, but I would be ready because I’m not really enjoying the snooker I’m playing these days, it’s a bit turgid.
‘I’m trying my hardest to stay on tour but if I drop off it will be a shock for a month or two and then I’ll just get on with trying to help players out.’
The former German Masters champion’s passion for the sport has certainly not dimmed, it is injuries and eye problems that are making the game an ever-increasing struggle.
He is enjoying watching young talent come through, though, including recent UK Championship opponent Antoni Kowalski.
‘He’s a very good player, good prospect,’ Hamilton said of the 20-year-old Pole who beat him 6-3 in UK qualifying. ‘Kowalski, [Bulcsu] Revesz and [Artemijs] Zizins are all well good enough to have a career, from what I’ve seen.
‘It’s nice to have a few Europeans on tour. It’s interesting to play some of the foreign players because you’re not used to their style. They’ll play shots you don’t expect. There’s no right or wrong, they’re just a little bit different. It’s good for the game. Some of the shots they play break some of the rules that we think have been in place and are maybe a bit too hard and fast.
‘I’m loving seeing young players coming through. Si Jiahui, Wu Yize, they’re fearless. Wu is a great player and a great lad. I had a chat with him at an airport, he’s sound. He’s got something a bit different. He’s like a film star.’
Hamilton is back in action this week at the Shoot Out, which he would enjoy more if it weren’t for its status as a ranking event.
‘I’d be a fan if it wasn’t ranking,’ he said. ‘You watch it now and it’s not like the original Shoot Out. A lot of the frames are pure tactical because it means a lot to the players.
‘It’s moved away from why it was created, I think, just for a bit of attacking snooker and a laugh. It’s deadly serious now. Take the ranking points off and it’ll be great again.
‘It is a chance for players, but it’s a bit daft. While someone can turn around their fortunes and maybe get into the 64, there’s the other side of the coin where someone’s dropping out because of that.
‘If you drop off because of a bad season or two then you can take it on the chin, but I don’t really agree with someone getting to the final of this and knocking you out of the 64. It’s a little bit daft.’
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