2025 World Snooker Championship: ‘Class of 92’ graduates aim for more Crucible glory

The achievements of the ‘Class of 92’ trio are legendary. O’Sullivan has seven world titles, Higgins four and Williams three.

If Williams or O’Sullivan lift the trophy on Monday, 5 May, they will become the oldest winner in the modern era, breaking O’Sullivan’s record when he won it three years ago, aged 46.

Thirty-three years ago they were all hungry, driven, talented teenagers with the desire to reach the top.

Williams described how he first met Higgins at the final of an event in 1990, when they were both 15.

“We played in the final and he beat me,” said the Welshman. “It was live on TV and he beat me 6-1, he had five grand for a win, I had three grand for runner-up.

“We then played in the British Under-16s in Birmingham and I thrashed him 4-0 after 50 minutes and I got 200 quid so I was a week late.

“That was the first time I really remembered John as it was me and O’Sullivan playing in all the junior events when we were 13 and 14.”

Williams and Higgins have their own Crucible history and have met six times now at the Sheffield theatre, with five victories for Williams, including an 18-16 success in an epic showdown in the 2018 final.

“That world final was one of the best games I’ve ever been involved in and people say it was the best final ever,” said Williams before their latest rematch.

Higgins, hurting from defeat on Wednesday, said of his conqueror: “He’s a great champion. The atmosphere out there was incredible, a standing ovation walking in. There’s no better place to play, win or lose.”