A Personal View by Jim McCann,
as it first appeared in the 'Amateur Billiard Player' of May 1999.
Jim's reflections on his associations with Norman Dagley.
Reproduced here with kind permission of Jim.
Throughout the World, wherever billiards is played, the name Norman Dagley stood for everything that is good about the game.
He has been a giant in the game from the early 1960īs until the early 1990īs when ill-health began to take its toll.
Norman epitomised the saying that "billiards is a game for gentlemen, played by gentlemen" His silky skills on the table were
backed up by his sartorial elegance and sportsmanship, second to none.
I feel privileged to have been Normanīs friend for over twenty years and have travelled with him throughout the country to witness many of
his major triumphs. He was a constant wit, and had the ability to fit into any company and make people feel at ease.
I first met Norman when he came to the Whitworth to play against us in the now defunct "Powerglide League" which was for three man teams
from all over the country. It was from these games, and encouragement from Norman and Bob Close, that I set up an exhibition at the Whitworth.
That "one-off" Sunday event paved the way for an 18 year run which must be put down to the skills demonstrated by the players involved.
On one of these occasions Norman had just finished off the last game with a superb break of 385 and left the table to deafening applause.
One of our senior members went over to him and said "Well Norman, if thatīs billiards, whatīs the game called that
Iīve been playing for the last 40 years ?"
In those early days, Norman and Bob Close provided me with my fondest billiards memories and I did my best to watch them whenever possible.
The highlight for me was the 1984 English Amateur Final at Widnes when Norman was unstoppable. In the last two hour session he had only
ten visits to the table and I looked on in wonder as he ran in breaks of 255, 136, 401, 92, 472 and 280 unfinished.
When the applause subsided, it was announced that Normanīs session score of 1,477 and an average of 147.7 was a World record under the
two pot rule.
To this, Bob Close stood up and said "Iīd like to claim a World record for the lowest score" as he had only been able to amass 75 points
during the session.
Pro-Am days with the likes of Norman, Bob and Mark Wildman were always enjoyable and a chance to learn from the best.
On one occasion we were to play at Kings Cross and decided to go there by train. As we were going to different stations,
Norman offered to meet me off the train at St. Pancras, but told me to look around in case I missed him. As I got off the train
I looked across the teaming masses, and in the middle stood this elegant man in black trousers, shiny patent leather shoes, a stunning
white top coat and sunglasses.
I could have picked him out if he had been stood on the Moon. From there we went to the hotel and he then
proceeded to take me on a tour of the local night-life, still in his stunning attire and sunglasses !
The advent of the newly formed professional game gave Norman another platform to demonstrate his skills to a wider audience and even some
TV coverage. We had some wonderful times in London, Stockport (Romiley Forum), Bolton (Town Hall), Sheffield (Radion Plaza) and Wigan.
He quickly rose through the rankings an soon established himself as number one in the World.
To see him lift the World Championship in
Bolton was a fitting reward for all his efforts over the years.
On the pro circuit it became the job of either myself or Des Heald to fix
his bow tie, make sure his Italian braces where correctly aligned, and carry his cue case-which he seemed to forget with great regularity.
On one occasion at the Radion Plaza, Eugene Hughes and I were watching Norman play, and marvelling at his cueing technique. Eugene then told
me that Norman was the only player, be it at billiards or snooker, that he would pay money to watch. He also used to tell the young snooker
proīs "If you want to see the perfect cue action, go and see Norman Dagley play"
Over the years we have always talked regularly on the phone about all aspects of the game and life in general, but his coming to Darley Dale
always made that occasion special, and to sit in his company at the venues over the years was always a privilege and an experience.
One of the nice parts about the Darley Dale tournament is the social side we enjoy in the pub after the play is finished. Sat one night with
Peter Miller of the CIU we were discussing old times. Years ago in the CIU, if a player reached the finals he was allowed to claim expenses
for travel because it was a nation wide event. At one such final Norman went over to Peter and gave him his travel expenses on a piece of paper.
Peter opened it, read the total at the bottom and said "Blimey Norman, I didnīt realise Concorde flew out of Leicester".
At one of the team finals the players were lining up to give their expenses to Peter who promptly told them "Hold on lads, lets get Normanīs
sorted out first and see whatīs left for you lot".
I know that there will be things that I have omitted from this tribute which will come to mind at a later date, but one thing I must say from a
purely personal point of view, he was the greatest man who ever lived.
One thing is certain, there will never be another.
Thanks for the memory.