Stephen Hendry comeback: Remembering the ‘swagger’ and ‘flashy cue action’ of his initial breakthrough

Sixteen-year-old Stephen Hendry stepped out for his first-round match at the Mercantile Credit Classic in Warrington in 1986 with the doubts of his fellow professionals ringing in his ears.

Stephen Hendry will play his first tour match since 2012. Picture: Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Hendry had been hammered 9-2 on his debut at the UK Championship the previous year by Indian amateur Omprakesh Agrawal, and prospective opponents were relishing the prospect of facing the inexperienced Scot.

Thirty-five years, seven world titles, 775 century breaks and nearly £9 million in prize money later, the 52-year-old could be forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu as he prepares to launch his improbable comeback against Matthew Selt at the Gibraltar Open on Tuesday.

Expectations for Hendry’s first tour match since his crushing 2012 world quarter-final defeat to Stephen Maguire are not high, with many convinced the strength in depth of today’s tour will leave the game’s most dominant player experiencing little more than embarrassment.

Stephen Hendry with the Edinburgh Evening News Sports Personality Award in 1996. Picture: Bill Henry

But those who faced Hendry at the Spectrum Arena in what effectively constituted his first main draw appearance on the professional ranking tour can still recall how swiftly he shattered those initial preconceptions with his sheer ability and determination.

In his opening match Hendry faced a 46-year-old Dubliner called Dessie Sheehan, who had hovered around the lower reaches of the world’s top hundred.

Sheehan, now 71, recalled: “We were playing together at the Pontins Pro-Am and his dad drove us down to the Classic, where we happened to draw each other in the opening round.

“Straight away you could tell he was a fantastic prospect. I played against all the greats – Alex Higgins and Steve Davis, and I practised with Ronnie (O’Sullivan) – and you could just tell they were going to be world champions.

The 13-year-old Stephen Hendry prepares playing in March 1982. Picture: Bill Stout

“Stephen was the same. He had superb cue-ball control and was a fearsome potter. But when I heard he was making a comeback I thought it was an April Fool. It’s a lot harder now and he’s going to find it tough.”

Hendry beat Sheehan 5-2, thrashed Graham Miles 5-1, then edged the previous year’s British Open winner Silvino Francisco 5-4 to reach the last 32.

His next opponent was Neal Foulds, five years older than Hendry.

“I had heard a little bit about Stephen but everyone assumed he had turned pro too early,” said Foulds, who will commentate on Hendry’s comeback for Eurosport.

Seven-times world snooker champion Stephen Hendry is making his comeback after nine years away from the sport.

“I went in front but all of a sudden he had a little spell where he was knocking in nearly everything. He had a very flashy cue action. It went to a decider and I made one of the best breaks I’ve ever made to win the match.

“He had a real swagger about him. He was immaculately dressed and he didn’t speak to anyone. He’d look you up and down and he wouldn’t say a word. There was a determination and a ruthlessness about him that I haven’t forgotten.”

The pair would go on to play 15 times in their respective careers but that match in Warrington remained the only one Foulds ever won.

“I think it’s great to see Stephen come back,” added Foulds. “Of course the tour has changed and it is going to be difficult for him. But I wouldn’t put anything beyond him, because I know from experience he’s got a very strong mind.”

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