Tony Knowles (snooker player)
| Born |
13 June 1955 Bolton, Lancashire, England |
|---|---|
| Sport country |
 England
|
| Professional | 1980–1997, 1998–2001 |
| Highest ranking | 2 (1984/85) |
| Career winnings | £772,284 |
| Highest break | 143 (Amateur Doubles) |
| Century breaks | 48 |
| Tournament wins | |
| Ranking | 2 |
| Non-ranking | 1 |
Anthony "Tony" Knowles (born 13 June 1955, in Bolton, Lancashire) is an English former professional snooker player. He was a three times semi-finalist in the World Professional Snooker Championship in the 1980s.
Knowles began playing snooker at the age of 3 on the tables at the social club run by his father, Kevin. He went on to win the UK Junior Championship twice, in 1972 and in 1974, and continued to study graphic art. Knowles's application was twice turned down, leading him to threaten the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association with legal action before being accepted at the third attempt.
Knowles shot to prominence in 1982 when he defeated defending champion Steve Davis 10–1 in the first round of the World Championship, earning him overnight stardom in a period when the sport was reaching the peak of its popularity. His good looks resulted in his relationship exploits featuring in the tabloid press. After some particularly sordid revelations he was fined £5,000 by the governing body for "bringing the game into disrepute".
He followed up his strong performance in the World Championship by winning the Jameson International in 1982 against David Taylor, and a year later was victorious in the Professional Players Tournament and reached the semi-finals of the World Championship, leading Cliff Thorburn 15–13 before losing 15–16.As a result, he moved to no. 4 in the 1983/1984 world rankings.
He remained in the top 16 until the 1990/1991 season, peaking at no. 2 (eclipsed only by Davis). He reached the World Championship semi-finals on three occasions (in 1983, 1985 and 1986), but never the final.
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