SNOOKER fans were in for a treat when a former world champion visited Hexham’s Albert Edward Club.

Now aged 71, Canadian Cliff Thorburn proved he was still a class act on the green baize during a memorable evening.

He took on some of the club’s members during a series of exhibition matches, and wowed the audience with some eye-catching trick shots.

Thorburn, who defeated Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins to win the 1980 world championship, was in good humour as he entertained onlookers in his own unique style.

“I haven’t practised this one on my home table,” he joked, as he used two cues like chopsticks to scoop up a full set of snooker balls, before rolling them towards the far pocket.

Thorburn’s artistry, which involved manoeuvring the white between three cushions before potting a red, and using a cue to balance one ball on top of another, received rapturous applause.

But not quite everything came off for the veteran, who retired from the professional circuit in 1996.

“Start the car,” he said, as a stubborn yellow rattled the jaws of the pocket.

For comedy effect, Thorburn also repeatedly attempted an almost impossible shot, which involved potting a moving, rather than a stationary, red ball.

“Muted applause, muted applause,” he joked when he felt one of his accomplishments went under-appreciated. “I love to travel all this way for muted applause.”

In reality, however, Thorburn captivated his audience throughout, and spoke about his playing career during a question and answers session, where he recalled duels against other legends of the game, including Higgins, Ray Reardon, and Jimmy White.

“It’s fantastic to be here among snooker people,” he said. “When you’re a professional, all you hear about is who has won this or won that, but the great thrill is potting the balls.”

Thorburn, who previously visited the club last October, said he was impressed with the table.

Club chairman Mick Harvey said: “We were delighted to welcome Cliff Thorburn back to the Albert Edward Club - he’s still playing to a phenomenally high standard.”

Last year, Thorburn won the Senior Masters at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

FORMER world number one Cliff Thorburn proved he was still a class act on the green baize when he visited Hexham’s Albert Edward Club.

The Canadian took on the club’s members in a series of exhibition matches, before wowing the audience with some eye-catching trick shots, on October 17.

Thorburn, who defeated Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins to win the 1980 world championship, recalled stories from his playing days on the professional circuit.

Albert Edward Club member John Woodley, who plays snooker at a high level locally, said: “It was a real honour for me to be able to play a snooker legend like Cliff Thorburn, and then to hear his stories about the big name players of past and present. It was just amazing.”