Graham Miles

Graham Miles (11 May 1941 – 12 October 2014) was an English snooker player.

Career Miles turned professional in 1971. He first gained recognition in 1974, when he reached the final of the World Championship, losing 12–22 to Ray Reardon. As he was left-eye dominant, the right-handed Miles developed an idiosyncratic sighting style with his cue crossing his chin on the left side. This style became more pronounced over time, to the point where the cue ran beneath his left ear.

This form continued in January 1979, when he reached the final of the Holsten Lager International by defeating John Pulman, Dennis Taylor and Alex Higgins. He led John Spencer 7–6 in the final, having made a break of 107, but eventually lost 7–11 to take £2,000 as runner-up.

Miles led defending champion Ray Reardon 3–0 and 5–3 in the first round of the 1979 World Championship, but he came down with flu and lost 8–13. Straight after this, Miles defeated Doug Mountjoy 4–3 and Perrie Mans 5–2 in the group stages of the Pontins Professional Event. Miles then beat Steve Davis 4–0 in the semi-final but lost 4–8 in the final to Doug Mountjoy.

At the inaugural World Team Cup, Miles represented England along with John Spencer and Fred Davis, where they reached the final only to be beaten 3–14 by Wales. His last major victory was the 1981 Tolly Cobbold Classic, when he beat Cliff Thorburn 5–1 in Ipswich. During the 1980s he slid down the rankings, and 1984 saw his last appearance at the World Championship.

Personal life and death After retiring from the game in 1992, he ran two snooker clubs at Sandwell, West Midlands and one in Crewe, Cheshire. He came out of retirement to play at the Seniors Pot Black competition in 1997.

Miles died on 12 October 2014, aged 73.

Performance and rankings timeline

Performance Table LegendLQ lost in the qualifying draw#R lost in the early rounds of the tournament(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin)QF lost in the quarter-finalsSF lost in the semi-finalsF lost in the finalW won the tournamentDNQ did not qualify for the tournamentA did not participate in the tournamentWD withdrew from the tournament NH / Not Held means an event was not held.NR / Non-Ranking Event means an event is/was no longer a ranking event.R / Ranking Event means an event is/was a ranking event.

Career finals Ranking finals: 1 Legend World Championship (0–1) Other (0–0)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final ScoreRunner-up 1. 1974 World Snooker Championship Ray Reardon 12–22

Non-ranking finals: 10 (5 titles) Legend The Masters (0–1) Other (5–4)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final ScoreWinner 1. 1974 Pot Black John Spencer Winner 2. 1974 Burscough ProfessionalRound-robin with Ray Reardon, John Spencer, and John Pulman Winner 3. 1975 Pot Black (2) Dennis Taylor 1–0Runner-up 1. 1976 The Masters Ray Reardon 3–7Winner 4. 1977 Castle Professional Tournament Bernard BennettShared Title Runner-up 2. 1978 Pot Black Doug Mountjoy 1–2Runner-up 3. 1979 Holsten Lager International John Spencer 7–11Runner-up 4. 1979 Pontins Professional Doug Mountjoy 4–8Runner-up 5. 1979 Golden Masters Ray Reardon 2–4Winner 5. 1981 Tolly Cobbold Classic Cliff Thorburn 5–1

Pro-am finals: 1 (1 title) Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final ScoreWinner 1. 1973 Castle Open 4–1

Team finals: 2 Outcome No. Year Championship Team/partner Opponent(s) in the final ScoreRunner-up 1. 1975 Ladbroke International Rest of the World Cumulative scoreRunner-up 2. 1979 World Challenge Cup 3–14