Career Timeline of Joe Davis: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 28, 2025

Discover the career path of Joe Davis, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Joe Davis was a dominant English professional snooker and billiards player from the 1920s to 1950s, credited with shaping modern snooker. He spearheaded the creation of the World Snooker Championship in 1927 and won the first 15 titles (1927-1946), remaining undefeated in championship history. In 1935, he recorded the championship's inaugural century break.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1919: Newman Sets Snooker Record

In 1919, Newman set a snooker record with a break of 89.

February 1925: Davis Sets New Snooker Record

In February 1925, Joe Davis played Newman in a game of snooker and made a break of 96, setting a new record for a professional match.

1926: BA&CC Recognizes Snooker Championship

In 1926, Joe Davis and Bill Camkin helped persuade the BA&CC to recognize an official professional snooker championship in the 1926–27 season.

1927: Davis Wins First Snooker World Championship

In 1927, Joe Davis won the first snooker world championship by defeating Dennis 16–7, earning a prize of £6 10s.

1927: First World Championship Win

Joe Davis won the World Championship from 1927 to 1946.

January 1928: Davis Records First Snooker Century Break

In January 1928, Joe Davis compiled his first snooker century break against Fred Pugh.

1929: Davis Wins World Snooker Championship

In 1929, Joe Davis won the World Snooker Championship; the final was held in the back room of a pub owned by the losing finalist, Dennis.

1930: Davis Makes First Official Century Break

In 1930, Joe Davis made the first official century break of the World Snooker Championship.

1931: Davis Contests Tournament with One Other Player

In 1931, the World Snooker Championship tournament was contested by only Joe Davis and one other player.

1932: McConachy Enters World Snooker Championship

In 1932, McConachy became the first player from outside the British Isles to enter the World Snooker Championship.

1933: Lindrum Wins World Championship

In 1933, Lindrum won the World Championship and insisted the competition be held in Australia for his defence.

1933: Smith Runner-Up to Davis

In 1933, Smith was the runner-up to Joe Davis in the World Snooker Championship.

1934: Davis Wins World Snooker Challenge

In 1934, Joe Davis traveled to Australia to play Horace Lindrum in an invitational match, the World Snooker Challenge, and won by 46 frames to 29.

1934: Wins inaugural UK Professional English Billiards Championship and travels to Australia for World Championship

In 1934, Joe Davis won the inaugural UK Professional English Billiards Championship against Newman. Also in 1934, Davis traveled to Australia for the World Championship, where he was disappointed by the lack of planning for the tournament.

1934: Davis Contests Tournament with One Other Player

In 1934, the World Snooker Championship tournament was contested by only Joe Davis and one other player.

1935: Increased Public Interest

From 1935, the World Championship became more remunerative for players after public interest increased when Joe Davis set a new championship record break of 110 against Newman in their semi-final.

1936: Davis Wins Against Lindrum

In 1936, Joe Davis won against Lindrum in the World Snooker Championship final.

1937: Davis Wins Against Lindrum

In 1937, Joe Davis won against Lindrum in the World Snooker Championship final.

1938: Davis Wins World Snooker Championship

In 1938, Joe Davis won the World Snooker Championship, with Sidney Smith finishing second after Lindrum declined to enter the tournament.

1939: Davis Defeats Newman in UK Championship Final

In 1939, Joe Davis defeated Newman in the annual UK Championship final.

1939: Davis Wins World Snooker Championship

In 1939, Joe Davis won the World Snooker Championship, with Sidney Smith finishing second.

1940: Davis Wins World Snooker Championship Against Brother Fred

In 1940, Joe Davis contested the World Snooker Championship final against his brother Fred, eventually winning the match 37–35.

1940: Davis Wins World Championship

In 1940, Joe Davis won the World Championship.

1946: Davis Defends World Title and Retires

In 1946, Joe Davis successfully defended his World Snooker Championship title, his 15th consecutive win, and then retired from the event, remaining undefeated in World Championship history.

1946: Davis Wins World Championship

In 1946, Joe Davis won the World Championship.

1952: World Championship Recontested

After Lindrum won the World Championship in 1933, the World Championship was not contested again until 1952.

January 1955: Davis Scores First Maximum Break

On 22 January 1955, Joe Davis scored the first officially recognised maximum break of 147 at Leicester Square Hall in an exhibition match against Smith.

April 1957: BA&CC Recognizes Davis's Maximum Break

In April 1957, the BA&CC eventually recognised Joe Davis's maximum break made in January 1955, shortly before the "play again" rule was incorporated into the rules for amateur players.

1959: Davis Attempts to Popularise Snooker Plus

In 1959, Joe Davis attempted to popularize a new version of snooker called snooker plus, which had two extra colours, an orange and a purple, but the public rejected the game.