Wikipedia:Today's featured article/February 18, 2024

John Spencer (1935–2006) was an English snooker player. He reached the final of the English Amateur Championship three years in a row, winning on his third attempt in 1966. After turning professional in 1967, he won the World Snooker Championship as a debutant in 1969. He won his second world title in the 1971 event. His third, in 1977, made him the first player to win at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre where the event has been staged annually ever since. His other notable victories include the 1975 Masters, where he defeated Ray Reardon on a in the  of the final, the 1978 Irish Masters, and three editions of the BBC's Pot Black series. He was a snooker commentator for the BBC from 1978 to 1998, and served on the board of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association for 25 years, the last 7 of those as chair. He retired from professional play in 1992 because of ill health, but continued to perform in exhibition matches. The trophy for the Seniors Masters tournament was named in his memory in 2018.