Aus Fox Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 RIP - loved watching him growing up, some rowdy Leicester crowds at times- well rowdy for snooker anyway. Leicester Legend RIP
The whole world smiles Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 RIP he was a bit before my time. But always enjoyed his commentary. Also spend a lot of time in my younger days getting pissed in Riley's before the council bought it. Was a great bar to watch live sport. We are not blessed with loads of famous people from Leicester so always sad to see one of them go.
Izzy Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 Now old Willy Thorne his hair's all gone And his mates all take the rise His opponent said cover up his head Cos it's shining in my eyes When the light shines down on his bare crown It's a cert he's gonna walk it It's just not fair giving off that glare 'Perhaps I ought to chalk it'
Voll Blau Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 Know a few guys who always spoke highly of how much he gave back to snooker in the area and young players in Leicestershire. Very sad.
foxfanazer Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 1 minute ago, Wolfox said: Oh dear…. Couldn’t have been that old either? 66. RIP Willie
CosbehFox Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 4 minutes ago, Voll Blau said: Know a few guys who always spoke highly of how much he gave back to snooker in the area and young players in Leicestershire. Very sad. Himself and his brother, Malcolm. My family used to rent out his snooker club a lot for functions and stuff, they were sound fellas. I remember one day as a 15 year old being there and watching this slightly older lad next door pot everything (it was Mark Selby). I could barely reach from one side to the other side of the table at the time.
martyn Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 33 minutes ago, Izzy said: Now old Willy Thorne his hair's all gone And his mates all take the rise His opponent said cover up his head Cos it's shining in my eyes When the light shines down on his bare crown It's a cert he's gonna walk it It's just not fair giving off that glare 'Perhaps I ought to chalk it' My 3 year old boys' favourite song.
Fox92 Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 Read that he was in a coma yesterday. Saw Lineker say he was hoping he'd pull through (I think they're good mates). RIP.
rachhere Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 As a kid I used to always watch out for his house when we went by in the car. Very sad news.
Angus Scott Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 Many moons ago I was at the opening night of Willie's club in Charles Street. It was a lovely place, very plush & he had Alex Higgins to perform the opening. I seem to recall that he was totally pissed (Alex not Willie). Also remember him in Osbornes on Cank Street, he loved being with all the lads off the market stuffing fivers in the pockets for each frame. Very sad. RIP Willie
Strokes Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 Nearly ran me over in Broughton Astley when I was a kid. He gave me a right gob full, which at the time I thought was harsh. Can see it for what it is now. RIP Willie
Steve_Guppy_Left_Foot Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 Top bloke, used to bet thousands on which raindrop would reach the bottom of a window first and the like, obviously had his issues in regards to that but we all have our vices in life, always loved how he'd talk through a break, calling the right shots to play and how far ahead the player would be thinking etc, really knew a lot about the game. Know some people who met him and all only have good things to say. RIP.
kingcarr21 Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 Met him at a charity bash couple of years ago. He went to school with my dad, they were really good friends who had lost touch. So when I met Willie I mentioned about my dad and he still remembered him. They used to spend a lot of time in the snooker hall where Willie would constantly beat everybody . A very nice man and his wife was just as nice. Very sad news RIP
kushiro Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 His biggest tournament victory was the Mercantile Credit Classic in Warrington in January 1985. He beat Steve Davis 9-8 in the semi-final on Friday then beat Cliff Thorburn 13-8 in the final over the weekend. This is from Gary Lineker's column in the Sports Mercury, January 19th: As soon as our match against Stoke last Saturday came to an end, I drove north (to Warrington) to watch him, stayed overnight, then returned the next morning for a light training session...which lasted only ten minutes! Back I went, just so I could be there to see Willie's triumph. I know Cliff Thorburn very well, but I was obviously rooting for Willie to win, and it was a marvelous occasion. I probably enjoyed his win over Steve Davis more than the final because it was a very special atmosphere that night. Everyone seemed to be on Willie's side so it was a popular win. I reckon I must have traveled more than 1,000 miles over the three days, but it was cetainly worth it. This letter appeared in the Mercury: What exciting news about Willie Thorne. It has brought great honour to the city. It's amazing how fortunate Leicester is to have so many famous sportsmen representing it. The England rugby team is being skippered by Paul Dodge, David Gower is leading the England touring party in India, Willie Thorne's best friend Gary Lineker looks like bringing great honours in the soccer world. We must also not forget the boxing world with Sibbo and co. Leicester folk must be the envy of the country. The letter prompted this effort from the Mercury cartoonist:
kingfox Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 The main reason why Leicester is a hotbed for Snooker. A true Snooker & Leicester legend. RIP Willie
ultrafox Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 Very sad news. A Leicester legend. I saw him a few times in the 80's... mainly at the old Vito's barbershop next to London Road Station. He regularly went in there for a (moustache?) trim. RIP Willie.
Vossen Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 He used to drink in the Humberstone pub in the village... Went to his 50th there... He'll be missed.
VLC86 Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 RIP Willie, used to love going to his snooker club and having a chat with his brother. Pretty sure I’ve met him a couple of times as well being as I used to go to the snooker. Sad day for the city.
Izzy Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 I don’t often do Twitter but saw Linekers tweet and read hundreds of lovely comments and tributes about Willie which were lovely to read. Then there’s about 5% of comments that were really disrespectful and clearly trolling Gary. Why can’t Twitter just ban these cvnts?
RobHawk Posted 17 June 2020 Posted 17 June 2020 I'm too young to remember his playing days but loved his commentary and used to see him around coalville loads as a kid
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