World Championship 2022: Nigel Bond retires as snooker says farewell to key remaining link to 1980s golden era

Nigel Bond is set to bring down the curtain on snooker's 33-year link back to the sport's 1980s golden era after suffering defeat in World Championship qualifying in Sheffield. '00-147' was the only figure still playing on the World Snooker Tour without needing a wild card having turned professional in 1989, the same year Steve Davis lifted the last of his six world titles, and has announced his retirement with immediate effect.

Ad/> The World No 76 – who lost 18-9 to Stephen Hendry in the 1995 world final – was drubbed 6-1 by Germany's Lukas Kleckers in the second round of qualifiers at the English Institute of Sport and is outside of the top 64 who will be guaranteed their tour status next season. World ChampionshipExclusive — 'I don't regard myself as greatest ever' — O'Sullivan wants 'others to decide'2 HOURS AGO Hendry and Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White are still playing on the main tour, but both green baize icons have been extended tour cards for services to the sport rather than securing places via recent tournament success.

/> The 56-year-old Bond confirmed his plans to focus on coaching if he finished outside the top 64 rather than head for Q School to try to regain his tour card after turning professional in the same year Margaret Thatcher was British Prime Minister and Ride on Time by Black Box was the biggest selling UK single. “Last night was not quite the ending I was hoping for, losing in the World Championship qualifiers," said Bond, who is 63rd on the all-time century list with 128 in his career, two more than the late Willie Thorne.

«I would like to wish Lukas the best of luck in the next round. Even though I know this time has been coming, today still feels a bit of a shock! At 56, my time as a main tour