Tom Newman

Tom Newman (23 March 1894 – 30 September 1943) was an English professional player of English billiards and snooker. He was born Thomas Edgar Pratt in Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire. He always appeared under the name Tom Newman when playing billiards or snooker and changed his name formally in 1919, shortly before his marriage that year.

He established himself as the best billiards players of the 1920s, appearing in every World Professional Billiards Championship final between 1921 and 1930, and winning the title six times. In the last five of these finals he met Joe Davis, winning twice (1926 & 1927) and losing three times (1928, 1929 & 1930).

Newman was a great break builder at billiards, and was a master of the cannon shot. His first century break at the "three ball game" came when he was 11 years of age; and in the 1930–31 season he made 30 breaks of 1000.

Newman died at his home in Tufnel Park, London, on 30 September 1943, aged 49. He had had throat trouble for several years. He was buried at the City of London Cemetery, Ilford, his playing cue being placed in the coffin with him.

Tournament wins World Professional Billiards Championship: 1921, 1922, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 Daily Mail Gold Cup: 1935

Snooker performance and rankings timeline

Performance Table LegendLQ lost in the qualifying draw#R/N lost in the early rounds of the tournament(N = position in round-robin event)QF lost in the quarter-finalsSF lost in the semi-finals(challenge final in 1928)F 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.

Snooker finals

Non-ranking event finals: 1

Outcome Year Championship Opponent in the final ScoreRunner-up 1934 World Snooker Championship Joe Davis 22–25