"Christmas was dampened with the news of the sudden death of Ellis Lloyd. A true sportsman who devoted time for the benefit of billiards at ail levels. Billiards and myself have lost a friend. Sincere condolences to all his family".
"Tom Terry's article in ABP No.6 made the extraordinary statement that 'aptitude' or 'talent' has little to do with a player's becoming really top class. Tom set out the four qualities he believes to be needed: start at an early age, practice a lot, have a coach and be highly motivated.
Televised snooker has been with us for long enough for a very large number of young people to have decided to take up the game seriously. These now form today's body of professionals, numbering several hundreds. Television provided these novice players with abundant coaching in how the game is best played. The high level of prize money has provided great motivation and they have all undoubtedly practised assiduously on their way to becoming the several hundred professional players they are today. So there should be several dozen players who are candidates for the highest laurels in the game.
So why is it that of these several hundred players, there is one, (Hendry) who has dominated the game for several years and why is it that this same pattern has been seen many times before, with the two Davis's and Reardon for example? I would say that the missing factor in Tom's list is the very one he eschewed—an aptitude for the game!
If this letter starts a debate, then I'm sure many readers will look forward to forthcoming issues!".