Silvino Francisco was a South African professional snooker player whose career peaked during the 1980s, highlighted by a ranking event victory and a place among the world’s top 10 before his career ended prematurely.
Silvino Francisco – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 3 May 1946 |
| From: | South Africa |
| Turned professional: | 1981 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 10 |
| Ranking titles: | 1 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 0 |
| Masters appearances: | 4 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 0 |
Silvino Francisco’s Snooker Career
Silvino Francisco turned professional in 1981 and quickly established himself as one of the leading players from outside the United Kingdom during a highly competitive period in snooker’s history. Known by the nickname “The Silver Fish”, he became a regular presence on the professional tour throughout the decade.
Francisco enjoyed his greatest success in 1985 when he won the British Open, defeating Kirk Stevens in the final to claim his sole ranking title. The victory helped lift him into the world’s top 10 and marked the peak of his professional career.
Although he never replicated that success at the World Championship, Francisco remained a competitive presence on the tour for several seasons. He qualified for the Masters four times and continued to feature regularly in ranking events during the second half of the 1980s.
In 1989, Francisco represented the Rest of the World team at the World Cup alongside Tony Drago and Dene O’Kane, finishing as runners-up in the event. His family was also closely associated with professional snooker, with his brother Manuel and nephew Peter Francisco both competing on the main tour.
Francisco’s snooker career came to an abrupt end in the late 1990s. In 1997, he was sentenced to three years in prison for drug-related offences, effectively ending his involvement in professional snooker. He passed away in 2024.
Silvino Francisco’s Ranking Titles
Silvino Francisco won 1 ranking title during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 1985 | British Open |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- None
Silvino Francisco and the Triple Crown
Silvino Francisco won 0 Triple Crown titles during his professional career.
- 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.
Silvino Francisco: ★★★
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Featured image credit: YouTube