Len Ganley

Len Ganley MBE (* April 27, 1943 in Lurgan, County Armagh; † 28 August 2011) was a Northern Irish snooker referee.

Career

Although Ganley 1971 only planned a short stay with his sister in Burton- upon- Trent, he lived henceforth in England. After he first worked as a milkman and bus driver, he began in 1976 by ​​chance his career as a professional snooker referee: During an Exhibition matches with Ray Reardon of the scheduled referee did not appear. Ganley jumped in for this and convinced immediately by his energetic appearance. So Reardon advised him henceforth frequently to serve as arbitrators.

Between 1983 and 1993 he led four World Snooker Championship Final. In addition, he was recognized as the final arbiter of the UK Championship in 1983. He also led the famous match between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mick Price during the World Snooker Championship 1997, which O'Sullivan fastest Maximum Break could achieve the snooker history. After Ganley 1999 his active career ended, he helped train young referees.

Private

Ganley grew up as one of 11 children in Armagh (Northern Ireland) on.

Already in Northern Ireland began with the snooker games and won several local titles in the UK and Ireland. His highest break was 136

In 2002, he suffered a heart attack. The ill with diabetes Ganley died 28 August 2011 at 68 years. His family asked - instead of the usual expressions of sympathy - for donations for the Paul Hunter Foundation.

" Len did a very good job of being a referee and a personality at the sametime. A referee is Supposed to be unseen and he liked the limelight, but he quietly managed to do the job properly. He was a great character off the table, but in the arena he was an excellent referee. He knew the game as a player, having made ​​century breaks himself, so what When He in charge of your match it was nice to know how well he Understood the game. "

" Len was both a great referee and a great personality. As referee you should be invisible; However, he loved the limelight, but nevertheless always behaved correctly. He had his quirks, he was away from the table, but the table itself is an excellent referee. He knew the events from the viewpoint of a player who himself had already achieved Century breaks. So it was good to know how much he understood the game when he was responsible for your match. "

His son Mike Ganley is WPBSA tournament director.

Media appearances

Although he did not drink alcohol, Ganley appeared in a commercial for Carling beer in the early 1980s. This Ganley crushed the white ball with his own hands after John Spencer this - had knocked off the table - during a game against Terry Griffiths.

In 1985 he was praised by the English indie rock band Half Man Half Biscuit with the Len Ganley Stance song.

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