1985 World Snooker Championship Joe Johnson in the first round was at the time the joint third-highest break in the Championship's history, tied with Willie Thorne in 1982. 1985 World Snooker Championship The 1985 World Snooker Championship (also referred to as the 1985 Embassy World Snooker Championship for the purposes of sponsorship) was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 12 and 28 April 1985 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. Defending champion Steve Davis was unable to make it three world titles in a row, as he lost 17–18 against Dennis Taylor in the final. The tournament was sponsored by
John Smyth (snooker referee) John Smyth (snooker referee) John Smyth (28 May 1928 – 4 January 2007) was one of snooker's leading referees in the 1970s and 1980s. He officiated in two World Snooker Championship finals, including the first to be held at the Crucible Theatre in 1977. The second came in 1982 when Alex Higgins won his second world title. He also oversaw the match in which Kirk Stevens compiled a maximum 147 break at the 1984 Wembley Masters. Born in Ireland, Smyth worked as a London Underground driver. He was Piccadilly line snooker champion six times, before becoming a referee in 1978.