Birmingham and the Birth of the World Snooker Championship

Each year, millions watch and thousands attend the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. A staple of the sporting calendar, the event is broadcast across the world and features competitors from all around Europe as well as Africa, Asia and Oceania.

But the tournament owes its humble beginnings to the city of Birmingham, which hosted the first two finals in 1927 and 1928. In this talk, researcher Thomas Bartley tells the story of how Birmingham helped to launch the famed and prestigious competition and, with it, usher in the age of professional snooker. You will learn all about its promoter and organiser, Bill Camkin, who ran a successful snooker and billiards business across the West Midlands and served as an executive at Birmingham City FC.

This event promises to be intriguing to all those interested in Birmingham’s rich sporting and social heritage as well as for fans of the game of snooker.

For any queries, please email the event organiser.

Organised by University of Warwick’s Undergraduate Research Support Scheme