Tom Newman (billiards player)

Tom Newman
Born 23 March 1894
Barton-on-Humber, Lincolnshire, England
Died 30 September 1943 (aged 49)
Tufnel Park, London
Sport country  England
Professional 1921–1943

Tom Newman (23 March 1894 – 30 September 1943)[1] was an English professional player of English billiards and snooker. He was born Thomas Edgar Pratt in Barton-on-Humber, Lincolnshire. He always appeared under the name Tom Newman when playing billiards or snooker and changed his name formally in 1919, shortly before his marriage that year.[2][3]

He established himself as the best billiards players of the 1920s, appearing in every World Professional Billiards Championship final between 1921 and 1930, and winning the title six times. In the last five of these final he met Joe Davis, winning twice (1926 & 1927) and losing three times (1928, 1929 & 1930).

Newman was a great break builder at billiards, and was a master of the cannon shot. His first century break at the "three ball game" came when he was 16 years of age; and in the 1930-31 season he made 134 breaks of 1000.[1]

Like many players of that era he regarded snooker as the less "serious" of the two sports, but nevertheless he made an officially recognized record snooker break of 89 in 1919. In 1934 he was one of two entries for the World Championship, the other being defending champion Joe Davis. Davis won 25–22, although at one stage Newman led 14–13.

Newman died at his home in Tufnel Park, London on 30 September 1943 aged 49. He had had throat trouble for several years. He left a wife and daughter.[1][4]

Tournament wins

Snooker finals

Non-ranking event finals: 1 (1 runner-up)

Outcome Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Runner-up 1934 World Snooker Championship England Joe Davis 22–25

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Biliiard star Tom Newman dies at age 49 – Six times champion in seven years". Yorkshire Evening Post. 30 September 1943. Retrieved 9 November 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive. (subscription required (help)).
  2. ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31180/page/2321
  3. ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31180/page/2322
  4. ↑ https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=newman&yearOfDeath=1944&page=6#calendar


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