Six Times Billiard Champion
Although born Thomas E. Pratt he played under the name Tom Newman and eventually changed his name to Newman in 1919. He played in the Professional Billiards World Championship finals in every year from 1921 to 1930. Winning the title six times. The last five of the finals were played against Joe Davis wining the tile in 1926 and 1927.
He thought Snooker as a less serious sport to Billiards but in 1919 made an officially recognise record break of 89. In 1934 he and Joe Davis were to play for the World Snooker Championship and was only beaten 25 frames to 22 having been at one stage in the lead by 14 frames to 13. He also won the ‘New of the World’ Gold Cup in 1933 and again in 1935. He died 30th October 1943 aged 49.
In 1928 a series of 50 cigarette cards by OGDEN’s titled Billiards by Tom Newman were issued. The Collection has two sets, displayed to allow both sides to be shown.
In 1930 Newman along with Lindrum, Davis and McConachy put their names to endorse a ‘versatile idea in Billiard tables’ the M.I.P. table as advertised in the June edition of ‘The Billiard Player’.
Taken from June 1930 The Billiard Player
In May 2026 the snooker heritage collection received an email from Ms Simmonds advising that she had a couple of items associated with Tom Newman, the champion Billiard player. The items had been kept by her grandfather Ernest J. Glaysher who had known and admired Newman and had kept the items as memento of that friendship.
Although the letter sent by Newman to Mr. Glaysher is difficult to read it seems that he was well know to Newman as the letter dated 3 May 1943 is addressed to Ernie. You will see from the letterhead that Newman made even higher snooker breaks of 110, 107 and 104.
As far as we can decipher the letter reads:-
Dear Ernie
Further to your remarks re- War Saving Work, I think one of my Special British Cue would fetch some good monies. Raffle it first – Tickets 2/- each the winner will probably give it back to be auctioned. This cue should be placed somewhere centre of the village for everyone to see. Buy a ticket one of the shops will be only too glad to help exhibiting this cue in the window and selling the tickets ???.
I will give you the cue. How you can stretch the profits that result re this idea. It may result in £100. Thanks for calling this evening. Everything is O.K.
See you next week I hope. Cheers Tom
The fact that Newman finishes the letter ‘See you next week I hope’ seems to point to the fact that he was not well. He suffered from throat trouble for many years.
The other item is quite poignant being the booklet from his funeral service. Dated October 4th 1943
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. © E.A. Clare & Son Ltd. 2018. © Peter N. Clare 2026
Reproduction of this article allowed only with the permission from E.A. Clare & Son Ltd.
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