Six words, spoken at 1.40am, confirmed Terry Griffiths’ place in the nation’s heart: ‘I’m in the final now, you know.’
Forty years ago, months after turning professional and on his first Crucible appearance, the giddy Griffiths spoke to revered BBC presenter David Vine.
The Welshman, a former miner, bus conductor, postman and insurance agent, was overwhelmed and exhausted after reaching the 1979 world championship final after a gruelling 19-17 semi-final victory over Eddie Charlton.
Forty years ago, months after turning professional, reached the World Championship final
‘I was there, but I didn’t know what day it was!’ Griffiths, (below) now 71, laughs. ‘Out of the blue I said it, and that became a very famous phrase for some reason. I suppose it was the accent and somebody coming off the street and getting in the final of the world championship.
‘A lot of people were hoping I was going to win, because that’s how they are in this country. They love an underdog.’
He qualified for his second tournament as a pro and watched the first-round draw in his front room.
‘The only two seeds left I could have played were Perrie Mans or Ray Reardon,’ he recalls. ‘I didn’t fancy the job against Ray. He was a tremendous player. He won it the year before and was my hero.
‘When I drew Perrie Mans, I was jumping up and down because I’d played him a few times in exhibitions. That set me on a good road, mentally. I absolutely couldn’t wait to get there.’
With only two professional tournaments a year, Griffiths wanted to get his face on television to increase exposure for the exhibition circuit.
‘The other 15 players were all wanting to win. I never thought of winning. I just wanted to play. It’s the best place in the world,’ he says.
He won 13-8 against South African Mans to set up a quarter-final with Alex Higgins. The pair conjured a Crucible classic, a best-of-25 rollercoaster won by Griffiths in the deciding frame with a 107 break.
Six words confirmed Terry Griffiths’ place in the nation’s heart: ‘I’m in the final now, you know.’
‘It was so exciting when you played him,’ says Griffiths. ‘You never knew what he was going to do. He could walk out or he could play three frames when you wouldn’t see one shot. And all of a sudden he’ll have three frames where he leaves you balls all over the pocket. You never knew when he was going to be good or bad.’
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