Joe Perry was an English professional who enjoyed a long and resilient career on the snooker tour, winning two ranking titles and establishing himself as one of the most respected and persistent competitors of his generation.
Joe Perry – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 13 August 1974 |
| From: | England |
| Turned professional: | 1992 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 8 |
| Ranking titles: | 2 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 0 |
| Masters appearances: | 11 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 0 |
Joe Perry’s Snooker Career
Joe Perry turned professional in 1992 alongside several players who would go on to dominate the modern era of snooker. While contemporaries such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams enjoyed rapid success, Perry’s progress on the Main Tour was more gradual.
His breakthrough came in 2001 when he reached the final of the European Open, an unexpected run that signalled his arrival as a serious competitor. Although he was outclassed by Stephen Hendry in the final, the performance marked a turning point, and Perry soon established himself inside the top 16.
Over the following years, Perry became a regular presence in the latter stages of major tournaments. He reached the semi-finals of the 2004 UK Championship, narrowly losing to David Gray, and repeated the feat at the World Championship in 2008, where he was edged out by Ali Carter at the Crucible Theatre.
His first professional title arrived in 2008 with victory at the invitational Championship League, but success in ranking events remained elusive. Final defeats at the 2014 Wuxi Classic, the 2016 World Open, and the 2018 European Masters reinforced his reputation as a player who frequently came close without managing to go all the way to glory.
That narrative changed in 2015 when Perry captured the Players Tour Championship Grand Finals, fighting back from 3-0 down to defeat Mark Williams in the final. A further milestone followed in 2022 when, at the age of 47, he claimed his second ranking title with a convincing 9-5 victory over Judd Trump in the Welsh Open.
By lifting the Ray Reardon Trophy in Wales, Perry capped a career defined by perseverance and longevity, securing his place as one of the most enduring figures of his era. Struggling for form after, however, Perry dropped outside the top 64 of the world ranking in 2025 and announced his retirement from the professional game.
Joe Perry’s Ranking Titles
Joe Perry won 2 ranking titles during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 2015 | PTC Grand Finals |
| 2022 | Welsh Open |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- Championship League (2008)
- Yixing Open (2013)
- Xuzhou Open (2015)
- CVB Snooker Challenge (2017)
- British Seniors Open (2025)
Joe Perry and the Triple Crown
Joe Perry won 0 Triple Crown titles during his professional career, reaching the semi-finals of the UK Championship and the World Championship on multiple occasions.
- World Championship: 0 titles
- UK Championship: 0 titles
- Masters: 0 titles
SHQ Star Rating: ★★★★
SnookerHQ uses a seven-point star scale based on the scoring values of snooker balls, with a black (7) representing the highest career classification. Ratings are assigned using career achievements, longevity, and historical impact.
Joe Perry: ★★★★
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Featured photo credit: WST