World Doubles Championship

World Doubles Championship
Tournament information
VenueDerngate Centre
LocationLondon (1982) / Northampton (1983–1987)
CountryEngland
Established1982
Organisation(s)World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association
FormatNon-ranking team event
Final year1987
Final championEngland Mike Hallett
Scotland Stephen Hendry

The World Doubles Championship, also known as the Hofmeister World Doubles (1982–1986) or the Fosters World Doubles (1987) for sponsorship purposes, was a non-ranking team snooker tournament held from 1982 to 1987 as the major doubles event.

History

Created to capitalise on the growing popularity of televised snooker, as well as to offer a slightly different version of the game, the event was initially staged at the Crystal Palace in London, sponsored by Courage Brewery through their Hofmeister brand. 29 pairs entered the event, which was played from the last 16 in London.[1]

Due to poor attendance of the inaugural event it was moved to the Derngate in Northampton. In 1987 the sponsorship of the event was moved to the Fosters brand, but the sponsorship contract expired the same year. By the end of the 1980s, other more significant events were making up the snooker calendar and the tournament was eventually abandoned. Four of the six tournaments were won by the pairing of Steve Davis and Tony Meo.[1]

Winners

[1]

Year Winners Runners-up Final score Season
1982[2] England Steve Davis & England Tony Meo Wales Terry Griffiths & Wales Doug Mountjoy 13–2 1982/83
1983[3] England Steve Davis & England Tony Meo England Tony Knowles & England Jimmy White 10–2 1983/84
1984 Northern Ireland Alex Higgins & England Jimmy White Canada Cliff Thorburn & England Willie Thorne 10–2 1984/85
1985[4] England Steve Davis & England Tony Meo England Tony Jones & Wales Ray Reardon 12–5 1985/86
1986[5] England Steve Davis & England Tony Meo England Mike Hallett & Scotland Stephen Hendry 12–3 1986/87
1987 England Mike Hallett & Scotland Stephen Hendry Canada Cliff Thorburn & Northern Ireland Dennis Taylor 12–8 1987/88

References

  1. ^ a b c Turner, Chris. "World Doubles Championship". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  2. ^ "Meo makes his mark – and collects £13,000". The Glasgow Herald. 20 December 1982. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Easy for Davis & Meo". The Glasgow Herald. 19 December 1983. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Davis, Meo lift doubles crown". The Glasgow Herald. 16 December 1985. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  5. ^ "Davis and Meo wrap up title". The Glasgow Herald. 15 December 1986. Retrieved 2 June 2011.