What a moving and beautiful moment when he won the championship and held his baby. Still brings a tear to the eye.Such a genius yet a very flawed genius. Amazing player.
Approaching 4 years later I'm sat here watching interviews and this video. Yea, Alex wasn't perfect but none of us are... but he was a credit to snooker and will remain one in the history of the game for one thing and one thing only... being himself. As a kid I loved watching him play and his rebellious streak was something good honest people honored... Proud of you Alex, rest in paradise mate... my love to all who lost you, a friend, a player and a father.
With true genius comes a tinge of madness. It's almost as if there is a price to be paid and it reminds the rest of us that we are mere mortals by comparison.
Alex Higgins the peoples champion, the man who opened the game of Snooker up with his incredible play, you never knew what Alex Higgins was going to do next, cue power was superb, the gear he could generate from the cue ball on those old woollen heavy cloths was something else. He was outstanding in his time and a joy to watch. RIP Hurricane!
I believe he once said “Alex Higgins hasn’t got throat cancer, throat cancer has got Alex Higgins.” He was right. The bugger beat one of the deadliest diseases known to humanity and succumbed to his own self destructive nature. If only he’d had some of those celebrity mates, so quick to shed a tear at his passing, there to look after him a bit. I believe Alex only craved one thing. To be loved. He would test people’s limits just to find out who would be there for him. Sadly, in the end, not many were.
When a person has such a destructive nature, friends can only do so much for that person. You can only say so much to a person, but they ultimately have to make the changes themselves. It is very difficult for a person to see someone they love being so destructive to themselves, knowing what the issue is but not being able to do anything about it. Eventually, those people have to pull away.
Alex Higgins was probably the most naturally gifted player the World has ever seen. He made shots that were unthinkable look easy. He came from a very humble background, made his way to the very top, and played because he loved the game. R.I.P A.Higgins 🙏
Alex was the ONLY reason I ever got interested in snooker. And right up until today, and watching this funeral, I just see Alex as one of the greatest snooker players of all time!
What a fantastic & gifted snooker player!! No comparison for me. During my student years in the UK (1983-1986), I was transfixed to the TV whenever I saw 'The Hurricane" playing. I took to the game because of him...Roshan Gooneratne from Sri Lanka
Alex will always be remembered on and off the table as one one of , if not the, most naturally talented players to ever grace the game, he was the Ronnie o sullivan of his day. They happen to be two players who were a generation apart but were so similar in many ways. Ronnie o Sullivan is my favourite player today but Alex has his own place in my memories and heart. I would have LOVED to see them play each other........Anyway, R.I.P. Hurricane, The Peoples Champion!!!
The greatest entertainer of all time.a complete legend.the atmosphere when ever he played a match was always electric you never knew what he was going to do next.there will never be another player like the hurricane snooker isn't the same without him.
There are those players who make you say HOW THE HELL DID HE DO THAT???? Alex was possibly the first of such players that we saw on tele. Jimmy came next. And we have Ronnie now. RIP ALEX.
I have been living under a stone. No idea that Alex had died. ( I live in Holland so it probably was,nt big news here. tragic ) There are sporting talents , such as Eric Bristow, Tiger Woods etc. Who give their sport another dimesion because they are larger than life on the screen. Alex was one of these sporting characters. A brilliant and exciting player that had me glued to the screen every time he played. Gonna miss you. So who is watching this in 2020 ??
That break against Jimmy White in the world semi's (i think and not sure of the year) is the greatest in the history of snooker, i am sure of that. Phenomenal. Was he wearing Glentoran colours in the '82 final?
I'm in love with this guy form the first time I watched his videos. He's the king of Snooker and yes he made the modern Snooker. I could watch all his games for hours and hours but never get bored and he was the first player who people would never hate watching
Alex Higgins the peoples champion, the man who opened the game of Snooker up with his incredible play, you never knew what Alex Higgins was going to do next, cue power was superb, the gear he could generate from the cue ball on those old woollen heavy cloths was something else. He was outstanding in his time and a joy to watch. RIP Hurricane!
He was definitely one of the two most watchable players the game has ever had. The other being his good friend Jimmy White. Without Alex, the game lacks something very special.
Still miss him so badly, I know its a bit and sad morbid but it's overwhelming at how many people came out and lined the streets to pay their respects to one of the great geniuses of our beloved sport, he brought it from the dark dank back rooms right out into the spot light. I know he didn't help himself with his attitude and actions but how snooker treated him as a black sheep / an outsider was appalling. Again morbid but if this is the send off A.Higgins got then imagine the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan or Jimmy White... God forbid the day. It was really sad for me to see A.Higgins playing his last Exhibition match as he was so frail and weak but wasn't just a tear of sorrow rolling down my cheek but also a tear of happiness as he was still doing what he ultimately loved. R.i.P our 1st Snooker Genius ❤️🙏
Both from Belfast Alex born and rared sandy row George from the Cregha. I think thats how its spelt. Sad drink gets a hold on people and im glad im off it nearly 12years 5months although i didnt crave it. It just doesn't do any one any good.
alex R.I.P. mate thank you for all the memories. i thank you from ALL snooker fans xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Legend Alex higgens a true legend the man who made snooker come to life yours Ziggy Marley from leicershire in the countryside in England respect to you Alex hggens
It takes a lot to win titles and tournaments but takes even more to become the people's champions. Even though he had a 'reputation' people saw past that, it says so much about his talent.
Beyond the crude comments I see here, Alex was a difficult character at times but that was just his demons coming to the surface and not the real person he was. He was and always will be the real people's champion and without him there would be no rich snooker players He brought the game into the mainstream and showed snooker was not boring anymore. RIP mate.
Thank you Victor for your comments I new Alex from his early days deep down he was a nice person but drink and drugs got the hold of him, fame brings a lot of temptation to us all Alex was also a compulsive gambler
Good lad Alex everyone abandoned him he was in the royal bar every day and everyone fucked him off and I tell you now not one of these ex pros etc gave a fuck I was with him , not a one off them were There not one. So bollocks to the lot of you he died a lonely man iknow cos I was there he'd be reading racing post every day in the royal bar sandy row east Belfast mcfc
Also, it's taken many, many years to get to this point in the modern era, whereby we can speak how we'd like and give our opinion without fear of being ridiculed. And many nations still haven't got to this point, So it begs the question, why should we have freedom of speech if this is how we're going to use it? By insulting dead people on a TH-cam video of their funeral? Anyway. This is about Alex Higgins, and before we go on too much, I'd like to say I am a massive Higgins fan.
I've just been reading a terrific book, 'Who was Hurricane Higgins?,' by Tony Francis. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the life (and death) of Higgins. One of the things it told me is that Lauren's poem at the funeral was not 'self-penned' as the news reporter claims here (1.02). She never in fact claimed to write it herself. Its a good example of how, when the media get things wrong it reflects badly on the people they are reporting on. Alex himself might have seen the irony! :/
Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins, the greatest snooker Player in snooker history! I was introduced to him by hiscountryman and great snooker player Paddy Morgan (rip) when I worked for Vanguard Billiard Tables where Paddy was Director for Ballard and Snooker Tables sales in St Peters, Australia...I worked for Vanguard Billiard and Amusement Machines (1971-74)..NB: Paddy, taught me something I will never forget, "we are the boys in white and green, up the rebels and f...the Queen" lol...may your soul rest in eternal peace...sorry, .I just learnt of your death today while watching some old memories of past snooker performance and my belated condolence to your family and friends..
nice to see all his buddies at the big day out alex didnt need them there they didnt help him out when he was down but at the funeral everyone was a great man
8 years later this is still sad to watch. I'm of an age that got to watch him from the start of him appearing on TV. He was someone we wanted be like on snooker and pool table. No more tapping behind the white ball for safety. We wanted to do a cannon 6 cushions, white ball back spin that sent it around the table before the coloured went in and white stopped exactly where you wanted. Only trouble was we might get it to go 6 cushions and in the pocket occasionally but the white would go in a pocket. He lived life in the fast lane only to fizzle out which is the really sad part.
What a moving and beautiful moment when he won the championship and held his baby. Still brings a tear to the eye.Such a genius yet a very flawed genius. Amazing player.
So sad, looking at Jimmy you can see that they were like brothers.
'Hurricane".........the greatest snooker player
Lovely poem his daughter read
Hard to read at a love ones funeral
Well done god bless you
Approaching 4 years later I'm sat here watching interviews and this video. Yea, Alex wasn't perfect but none of us are... but he was a credit to snooker and will remain one in the history of the game for one thing and one thing only... being himself. As a kid I loved watching him play and his rebellious streak was something good honest people honored... Proud of you Alex, rest in paradise mate... my love to all who lost you, a friend, a player and a father.
Well said. 😥
With true genius comes a tinge of madness. It's almost as if there is a price to be paid and it reminds the rest of us that we are mere mortals by comparison.
Alex Higgins the peoples champion, the man who opened the game of Snooker up with his incredible play, you never knew what Alex Higgins was going to do next, cue power was superb, the gear he could generate from the cue ball on those old woollen heavy cloths was something else. He was outstanding in his time and a joy to watch. RIP Hurricane!
The Hurricane will always be remembered for bringing the game to the masses. Thank You 🙏 RIP Legend🇦🇺
What a player He made snooker exciting !. Lovely words from shaun murphy Mans a Gent as always, speaks well and is a genuine guy.
His daughter is beautiful. I guess it says something about your character when legends like Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White attend your funeral.
It does but there should have been alot more players there
A giant in snooker.I take my hat off to the great players who attended Alex's funeral. They knew what Alex did for snooker.
I believe he once said “Alex Higgins hasn’t got throat cancer, throat cancer has got Alex Higgins.” He was right. The bugger beat one of the deadliest diseases known to humanity and succumbed to his own self destructive nature. If only he’d had some of those celebrity mates, so quick to shed a tear at his passing, there to look after him a bit. I believe Alex only craved one thing. To be loved. He would test people’s limits just to find out who would be there for him. Sadly, in the end, not many were.
When a person has such a destructive nature, friends can only do so much for that person. You can only say so much to a person, but they ultimately have to make the changes themselves. It is very difficult for a person to see someone they love being so destructive to themselves, knowing what the issue is but not being able to do anything about it. Eventually, those people have to pull away.
Alex Higgins was probably the most naturally gifted player the World has ever seen.
He made shots that were unthinkable look easy.
He came from a very humble background, made his way to the very top, and played because he loved the game.
R.I.P A.Higgins 🙏
Piss head and a fucking nuisance though
Who all still watching this in November, 2018
2023 now
2024,still miss him😢
Opened a snooker club in oldham many years,had the privilege to meet him stayed all evening,talked to fans and had a great night, RIP Alex Higgins
How can anyone dislike a video from a Funeral of a Legend Snooker Player ??? ...... i will never understand !!!!!
R.I.P Hurricane , u and Paul are always my first Thought when a Snooker Match starts
He had his faults, but many people watched and/or took up the game, purely because of his charisma and personality around the table. RIP Alex.
Snooker had been around for a few hundred years.
It took the Irishman for us to love it for a decade.
Alex got me addicted to watching him play snooker. Class act, and Legend. R.I.P.
Thanks Alex was a great snooker player , we never forget the hurrican , Henri put Belgium 🇧🇪 snooker fan
Alex was the ONLY reason I ever got interested in snooker. And right up until today, and watching this funeral, I just see Alex as one of the greatest snooker players of all time!
Fantastic snooker player true legend gone but not forgotten... Rest in paradise in peace Always Alex x 💐😔🙏
Never forgotten wonderful snooker player truly missed R.I.P Alex
This is heartbreaking. However glad STEPHEN HENDRY MADE A VERY GOOD POINT ABOUT "ALEX & JIMMY WOULD BE THE ONLY ONES WHO WOULD PRACTICE WITH ME"
Thank you Belfast Jack.
What a fantastic & gifted snooker player!! No comparison for me. During my student years in the UK (1983-1986), I was transfixed to the TV whenever I saw 'The Hurricane" playing. I took to the game because of him...Roshan Gooneratne from Sri Lanka
Alex will always be remembered on and off the table as one one of , if not the, most naturally talented players to ever grace the game, he was the Ronnie o sullivan of his day. They happen to be two players who were a generation apart but were so similar in many ways. Ronnie o Sullivan is my favourite player today but Alex has his own place in my memories and heart. I would have LOVED to see them play each other........Anyway, R.I.P. Hurricane, The Peoples Champion!!!
Loved to watch him. especially playing Steve Davis. Sadly missed. RIP hurricane higgins.
The greatest entertainer of all time.a complete legend.the atmosphere when ever he played a match was always electric you never knew what he was going to do next.there will never be another player like the hurricane snooker isn't the same without him.
There are those players who make you say
HOW THE HELL DID HE DO THAT????
Alex was possibly the first of such players that we saw on tele.
Jimmy came next.
And we have Ronnie now.
RIP ALEX.
I only have two words. My Hero.
Alex made snooker thrilling to watch.
He did indeed
j ai decouvert le snooker en regardant ALEX jouer a la tv ..UN GENIE...parfois un peu de manque de serieux mais tel etait le personnage. R.I.P. ALEX
alex higgins was one of the greatest players in snooker history and will always be remembered as hurricane
The god father and the saviour of snooker I will never forget you Alex an absolute legend ❤️
Alex was the best ever snooker player excited to watch
A much needed hero back in the day. He gave much to us all
0:24 what a fantastic sportsman truly one of the greats a proper character who oozed class
I love how whatever shot they used you could still make out Jimmy and his perm... XD
Never be forgotten rip❤
I have been living under a stone. No idea that Alex had died. ( I live in Holland so it probably was,nt big news here. tragic ) There are sporting talents , such as Eric Bristow, Tiger Woods etc. Who give their sport another dimesion because they are larger than life on the screen. Alex was one of these sporting characters. A brilliant and exciting player that had me glued to the screen every time he played. Gonna miss you. So who is watching this in 2020 ??
Me
northern ireland catholic and prodestant should be proud higgins and george best ,two of the greatest
When I'm learning snooker because of Alex Higgins..he is legend of snooker ..rip people champion 🏆
That break against Jimmy White in the world semi's (i think and not sure of the year) is the greatest in the history of snooker, i am sure of that. Phenomenal.
Was he wearing Glentoran colours in the '82 final?
As Steve Davis has said on many occasions Alex was the only snooker player that could be called a GENIUS.
MrParisienWalkways is
Legends never died. He was the beat of millions of hearts...
Well done belfastjack. Great post..
I'm in love with this guy form the first time I watched his videos.
He's the king of Snooker and yes he made the modern Snooker.
I could watch all his games for hours and hours but never get bored and he was the first player who people would never hate watching
I'm from Sheffield,Shiny Sheff.. Alex certainly brought the shine with him
Incredible player, Incredible man.
R.I.P
A.Higgins
🙏🙏🙏
Alex Higgins the peoples champion, the man who opened the game of Snooker up with his incredible play, you never knew what Alex Higgins was going to do next, cue power was superb, the gear he could generate from the cue ball on those old woollen heavy cloths was something else. He was outstanding in his time and a joy to watch. RIP Hurricane!
He was definitely one of the two most watchable players the game has ever had. The other being his good friend Jimmy White. Without Alex, the game lacks something very special.
You should watch the 95 Mosconi cup match against Massey and Hunter. It's not snooker, but it's one of the best Higgins and White shows ever.
R.i.p. Alex higgins great player and character. Sadly missed
Still miss him so badly, I know its a bit and sad morbid but it's overwhelming at how many people came out and lined the streets to pay their respects to one of the great geniuses of our beloved sport, he brought it from the dark dank back rooms right out into the spot light. I know he didn't help himself with his attitude and actions but how snooker treated him as a black sheep / an outsider was appalling. Again morbid but if this is the send off A.Higgins got then imagine the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan or Jimmy White... God forbid the day.
It was really sad for me to see A.Higgins playing his last Exhibition match as he was so frail and weak but wasn't just a tear of sorrow rolling down my cheek but also a tear of happiness as he was still doing what he ultimately loved. R.i.P our 1st Snooker Genius ❤️🙏
One of Britain's true greats the word legend is over used today but when you talk about Alex Higgins Its the best word and all that needs to be said
One of the best potters ever ♥️🙏🙏
Where’s Ronnie?
YES 🥰 HE WAS ENTERTAINER
Legends never die..
Was dennis taylor present at the funeral?.
Ireland as producer genius with Alex Higgins and George best
Both from Belfast Alex born and rared sandy row George from the Cregha. I think thats how its spelt. Sad drink gets a hold on people and im glad im off it nearly 12years 5months although i didnt crave it. It just doesn't do any one any good.
rip
John Virgo is not sleeping at 1:46. He is looking down at the eulogy that is being read out.
alex R.I.P. mate thank you for all the memories. i thank you from ALL snooker fans xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It's a wonder Dave Courtney wasn't there
He was Dressed up as Jimmy White☘🕶👍🍻🥃
Legend Alex higgens a true legend the man who made snooker come to life yours Ziggy Marley from leicershire in the countryside in England respect to you Alex hggens
Is John Virgo alive @1:27
Seen him at the races in the curragh when he was ill but he was treated like the Irish hero that he was
Why was Steve Davis not there
It takes a lot to win titles and tournaments but takes even more to become the people's champions. Even though he had a 'reputation' people saw past that, it says so much about his talent.
😢 He left a hole in our hearts. So amazing and talented....❤
RIP Alex Higgins the hurricane!
Beyond the crude comments I see here, Alex was a difficult character at times but that was just his demons coming to the surface and not the real person he was. He was and always will be the real people's champion and without him there would be no rich snooker players
He brought the game into the mainstream and showed snooker was not boring anymore. RIP mate.
Thank you Victor for your comments I new Alex from his early days deep down he was a nice person but drink and drugs got the hold of him, fame brings a lot of temptation to us all Alex was also a compulsive gambler
Good lad Alex everyone abandoned him he was in the royal bar every day and everyone fucked him off and I tell you now not one of these ex pros etc gave a fuck I was with him , not a one off them were There not one. So bollocks to the lot of you he died a lonely man iknow cos I was there he'd be reading racing post every day in the royal bar sandy row east Belfast mcfc
i met jimmy white at heathrow and he was a top geezer lovely bloke
Rest in peace Alex, gone but never be forgotten. A Legend.
Also, it's taken many, many years to get to this point in the modern era, whereby we can speak how we'd like and give our opinion without fear of being ridiculed. And many nations still haven't got to this point, So it begs the question, why should we have freedom of speech if this is how we're going to use it? By insulting dead people on a TH-cam video of their funeral? Anyway. This is about Alex Higgins, and before we go on too much, I'd like to say I am a massive Higgins fan.
A wonderful man and snooker player, and I'm a steve davis fan, Alex Higgins, geniusx
He made Snooker, then Jimmy and now Ronnie, let’s not forget Ray, all amazing. 😀😇❤️
Loved watching you Alex memorising snooker. May you rest in peace in heaven xx
Alex Higgins rest in peace. True legend.
A great man who turned snooker around r i p Alex, never forgotten a real showman
I'm in bits now. what a player, what a character, what a man the people's champion. R.I.P Alex the hurricane Higgins 🔝🎱🏆👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
I've just been reading a terrific book, 'Who was Hurricane Higgins?,' by Tony Francis. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the life (and death) of Higgins.
One of the things it told me is that Lauren's poem at the funeral was not 'self-penned' as the news reporter claims here (1.02). She never in fact claimed to write it herself. Its a good example of how, when the media get things wrong it reflects badly on the people they are reporting on. Alex himself might have seen the irony! :/
Alex Higgins, the BEST snooker-player EVER!!!
He was like George Best The Worlds Greatest .Rest easy mate .
Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins, the greatest snooker Player in snooker history! I was introduced to him by hiscountryman and great snooker player Paddy Morgan (rip) when I worked for Vanguard Billiard Tables where Paddy was Director for Ballard and Snooker Tables sales in St Peters, Australia...I worked for Vanguard Billiard and Amusement Machines (1971-74)..NB: Paddy, taught me something I will never forget, "we are the boys in white and green, up the rebels and f...the Queen" lol...may your soul rest in eternal peace...sorry, .I just learnt of your death today while watching some old memories of past snooker performance and my belated condolence to your family and friends..
Alex Higgins thank you
There's no personalities anymore like the old days
I feel sad for Alexes daughter.
RIP Alex Higgins. Legend and inspiration to many.
The hurricane was an iconic character within snooker
What a character they broke the mould when they made Alex,
I show my nephew his videos he's now great fan
He would have shined no matter what he did
Builder,barman,whatever ......
The energy of his soul was The Hurricane 🙏🏻⭐️
Peoples champion he was ... No matter how many cups he won. He won hearts of people .
R I P Alex. A legend, a natural talent, a tortured genius.
alex=legend
nice to see all his buddies at the big day out alex didnt need them there they didnt help him out when he was down but at the funeral everyone was a great man
No Steve Davis?
Why wasn't Steve Davis at the funeral could anybody answer this for me please
That blue against Jimmy goes down as the greatest shot in history.
A real people’s man ,RIP Alex ,star man .
Alex Higgins made Snooker the phenomenon it is today Ronnie O'Sullivan is carrying on the tradition RIP
8 years later this is still sad to watch.
I'm of an age that got to watch him from the start of him appearing on TV.
He was someone we wanted be like on snooker and pool table. No more tapping behind the white ball for safety. We wanted to do a cannon 6 cushions, white ball back spin that sent it around the table before the coloured went in and white stopped exactly where you wanted. Only trouble was we might get it to go 6 cushions and in the pocket occasionally but the white would go in a pocket.
He lived life in the fast lane only to fizzle out which is the really sad part.
Her daughter is a piece of art. HIGGINS THANKS FOR LEAVING YOUR LEGACY AND ALSO YOUR DAUGHTER.