Silvino Francisco

Silvino Francisco (3 May 1946 – 14 December 2024) was a South African professional snooker player who won the 1985 British Open.

Snooker career Francisco came from a snooker-playing family. His brother Manuel and nephew Peter both played at a high level, Manuel having been a runner-up in the World Amateur Billiards Championship on several occasions, and Peter having risen to the world ranking of number 14.

Francisco won the 1985 British Open, beating Kirk Stevens 12–9. Prior to the start of the Final match, Francisco accused Stevens of playing under the influence of drugs. Francisco was subsequently fined for the comments. The world governing body of snooker, the WPBSA, accepted that the accusation was false and it is on record that Kirk Stevens has never failed a drugs test in the history of his career. However, Stevens later admitted to having an addiction to cocaine.

Francisco married his wife June in the early 2000s. In his later years he dedicated himself to his family, specifically his grandchildren Enola and Osiris, charity work and the snooker youth.

Francisco died on 14 December 2024, aged 78.

He remains the only African snooker player to have won a professional snooker ranking event.

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 (1 title)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final ScoreWinner 1. 1985 British Open Kirk Stevens 12–9

Non-ranking finals: 3 (1 title)

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final ScoreRunner-up 1. 1978 South African Professional Championship Perrie Mans 5–9Runner-up 2. 1983 Pontins Brean Sands Tony Meo 7–9Winner 1. 1986 South African Professional Championship François Ellis 9–1

Team finals: 1 OutcomeNo.YearChampionshipTeam/partnerOpponent(s) in the finalScoreRunner-up 1. 1989 World Cup Rest of the World

Amateur finals: 4 (4 titles) OutcomeNo.YearChampionshipOpponent in the finalScoreWinner 1. 1968 South African Amateur Championship Winner 2. 1969 South African Amateur Championship (2) Winner 3. 1974 South African Amateur Championship (3) Mike Hines 7–0Winner 4. 1977 South African Amateur Championship (4) Ayoob Majiet