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Snooker legends' farewell to ex-champion Griffiths

Getty Images Terry Griffiths bent over the snooker table, cue resting on the bridge between his thumb and index finger on his right hand as he prepares to strike the white ball. He is wearing snooker attire, with a white long sleeve shirt and black vest. He also wears large and thick metal rim glasses, a gold wrist watch and has large rings on his ring and pinkie fingers Getty Images
Terry Griffiths won the World Championship in 1979, the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982

Snooker greats Dennis Taylor, Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams were among those gathered to say farewell at the funeral of former world champion Terry Griffiths.

The Welshman, who grew up in Pontarddulais, Swansea, died aged 77 after what his family said was "a long battle with dementia".

A former postman and bus conductor, Griffiths turned professional in 1978 and became world champion at the first attempt, beating Taylor in 1979.

Griffiths' son, Wayne, shared personal stories and fond memories of his "modest and humble" father during the funeral service at Llanelli Crematorium, in Carmarthenshire.

Athena A coffin carrying the body of snooker player Terry Griffiths is borne by pallbearers into Llanelli CrematoriumAthena
His funeral was held on Monday after he died aged 77

"Dad indeed was a great player, good coach and a good man," he said.

"He was also a great family man, a proud father and a loving husband too."

Griffiths also won the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982.

After retiring, Griffiths became a successful coach and much-loved television pundit and commentator.

His funeral cortege passed by the Terry Griffiths Matchroom, a snooker and pool club in Llanelli.

Athena Dennis Taylor at the funeral of snooker player Terry Griffiths. He is wearing a black shirt, a black jacket with brown collar and a black tie with white spots Athena
Dennis Taylor was pleased there was a "great turnout" at the funeral

Fellow snooker legend, Northern Ireland's Dennis Taylor, said he was pleased there was a "great turnout" for a player who had a "wicked" sense of humour.

When he visited Northern Ireland, Taylor said people "took him to their hearts".

Among the congregation he said he had seen players including Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Tony Chappell, Wayne Jones and Jackson Page.

Taylor said: "Not only was he a great, great player, he's one of the best coaches the game's ever seen.

Athena Snooker players Mark Williams and Stephen Hendry at the funeral of fellow player Terry GriffithsAthena
Fellow professionals Mark Williams (left) and Stephen Hendry were among mourners

"Of course, that's a great tribute to some of the modern day players, they owe a lot to Terry.

"Sadly, if he hadn't have got ill I think he'd have just kept on working, because everybody wanted to work with 'the Griff'."

He recalled holidaying with Griffiths' and Doug Mountjoy's families.

"We used to have wonderful times at Pontins and we had a great holiday in America together, all the three families," he said.

A long queue of people, all in black, on the pavement as a hearse with a coffin backs up into the crematorium entrance
Mourners gathered to say their last farewells to Griffiths at Llanelli Crematorium

One of Griffiths' friends, Adam Rees, 60, said outside Matchroom: "He put us on the map,"

"Snooker wasn't anything in Llanelli until him."

Another friend, Andrew Morgan, 53, called him a "gentlemen".

Andrew Morgan is wearing a green coat and dark jumper and Adam Rees has a black winter jacket on. The matchroom has a green awning and a sign saying Terry Griffiths Matchroom with three metre high picture of Terry playing pool in a competition in the window above
Griffiths' friends Andrew Morgan (left) and Adam Rees outside the Terry Griffiths Matchroom in Llanelli

"He was such a character, full of banter and one liners," he added.

Wayne Lock, 60, from Llanelli said he was a "treasure to the town".

"He always stood by the town through thick and thin," he said.

"He set up the Matchroom, teaching youngsters for years and years. We're very proud of him."