Eric Bristow

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Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox darts player

Eric John Bristow (25 April 1957 – 5 April 2018), was an English professional darts player who competed in British Darts Organisation (BDO) and Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. Nicknamed "the Crafty Cockney", he was one of the most recognisable and successful players of the 1980s. Bristow was ranked world number one by the World Darts Federation a record five times, in 1980, 1981, from 1983 to 1985 and from 1989 to 1990. Between 1980 and 1991, he featured in ten BDO World Darts Championship finals, winning the title five times: in 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985 and 1986. He was also a five-time World Masters Champion, a four-time WDF World Cup singles champion and a two-time winner of the News of the World Darts Championship. He won 22 WDF and BDO major titles, 65 individual career titles and 15 titles in team events, a total of 80 overall. He hosted the first two episodes of the darts-themed ITV game show Bullseye and regularly featured on the show.

In late 1986, Bristow began experiencing symptoms of dartitis, which affected his career thereafter. In 1987, he began sponsoring and mentoring Phil Taylor, who went on to become the most successful darts player of all time. In 1993, Bristow and Taylor both became involved in the split in darts as two of the 16 players who left the British Darts Organisation (BDO) to form the World Darts Council, which later became the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Bristow's last major achievement as a player was reaching the semi-finals of the 1997 WDC World Darts Championship, where he narrowly lost to Taylor.

After retiring from competitive darts in 2007, Bristow worked as a commentator and pundit on Sky Sports darts coverage until the network sacked him in 2016 following a controversial series of tweets. In April 2018, Bristow suffered a heart attack while attending a Premier League Darts event in Liverpool and died at the age of 60.

Early life

In 1957, Bristow was born in the London Borough of Hackney, but brought up at 97 Milton Grove, Stoke Newington, when Stoke Newington was a borough in its own right, where his father was a plasterer and his mother worked as a telephone operator.<ref name=NYTobit>Template:Cite news</ref> He left school at age 14.<ref name=NYTobit/>

Career

Peak years

The nickname Crafty Cockney was given to Bristow when he visited an English pub of that name in 1976 during a visit to Santa Monica, California. Bristow wore a shirt (which he received from the same pub) depicting a uniformed British policeman, a Union Flag and the title Crafty Cockney whenever he took part in a tournament.<ref name="guard"/>

Bristow emerged as the most successful and consistent darts player of the 1980s, reigning as number one in the world rankings during most of the period from 1980 until 1987. Television began showing increased interest in the sport in the late 1970s, with the first world championship occurring in 1978.<ref name="data"/>

Bristow won his first world championship in 1980, defeating fellow Londoner Bobby George. Bristow retained his title in 1981 (over John Lowe) and won it again in 1984 (over Dave Whitcombe), 1985 (over Lowe) and 1986 (over Whitcombe). He also suffered a shock defeat in a final during the 1980s, when the relatively unknown Keith Deller beat him in the 1983 final; he had also lost to Steve Brennan in the previous year's first round. As well as his five world titles, Bristow also finished as runner-up on five occasions, the last in 1991.<ref name="data"/>

As well as his world championship exploits, Bristow also lifted the prestigious Winmau World Masters crown five times (1977 beating Paul Reynolds, 1979 beating Canadian Allan Hogg, 1981 beating defending champion John Lowe,<ref name="data"/> 1983 beating Mike Gregory and 1984 beating Keith Deller).<ref name="data"/> He also reached the final in 1989, losing to Peter Evison.<ref name="data"/>

Bristow was a winner of the World Cup Singles on four occasions (1983 beating Jocky Wilson, 1985 beating Tony Payne, 1987 beating Bob Sinnaeve and 1989 beating Jack McKenna) and won the News of the World Darts Championship in 1983 beating Ralph Flatt and 1984 beating Ian Robertson (becoming only the second man in 57 years to successfully defend that title) together with countless other major tournaments including the British Open and Swedish Open three times each and the North American Open on four occasions.<ref name="data">Template:Cite web</ref>

Dartitis

During the Swedish Open in November 1986, Bristow found himself unable to let go of his darts properly – a psychological condition known as dartitis,<ref name="guard">Template:Cite news</ref> similar to the yips in golf. He was never quite the same player again, but did regain the number-one ranking briefly in late 1989 and early 1990 before losing his form again. He reached the semi-finals of the 1997 WDC World Darts Championship at the Circus Tavern, where he narrowly lost to Phil Taylor 4–5 in sets.<ref name="data"/>

Mentoring Phil Taylor

In the 1980s, Bristow came across Phil Taylor,<ref name="taylor">Template:Cite web</ref> then a raw young darts talent in Stoke-on-Trent, and he sponsored him with about £10,000 to fund his development in the game,<ref name="guard"/> on the understanding that the money would be repaid. Taylor went on to usurp his mentor as the greatest darts player ever.<ref name="guard"/>

Later career and retirement

Bristow's form deteriorated in the early 1990s and he was dropped from the Merseyside team in 1992. Bristow had joined Merseyside, his third county, in 1988, after previously playing for London from 1976 to 1980 and for Staffordshire from 1980 to 1988. With Merseyside, Bristow played with his international teammate Kevin Kenny, and after being dropped by Merseyside, he was dropped from the England national side later the same year. The split within darts saw Bristow become a founding member of the Professional Darts Corporation.<ref name="guard"/>

At the World Matchplay event in Blackpool, Bristow made six appearances without winning a match.<ref name="data"/> His swansong came in a classic semi-final at the 1997 PDC World Championship, which he lost to his protégé, Phil Taylor.<ref name="data"/> Bristow's last appearance came at the World Championships in 2000, ending his 23-year run of playing in a world championship,<ref name="data"/> after which, he stopped playing professionally after the event.<ref name="data"/>

From late December 1993,<ref name="Khomami">Template:Cite news</ref> until November 2016, when he was dismissed,<ref name="de Menezes">Template:Cite news</ref> he worked mainly as a spotter, a pundit and an occasional commentator for Sky Sports<ref name="guard" /> during televised PDC tournaments, while continuing to travel and play on the exhibition circuit. Bristow returned to TV screens as a player in 2008 on Setanta Sports to compete in the BetFred League of Legends tournament, beating Bobby George 7–5 in the opening match. Bristow failed to maintain his form, however, and did not win another match in the tournament, failing to qualify for the semi-finals and finishing bottom of the League of Legends table. In 2004, Bristow played John Lowe, with Bristow showing glimpses of his old form in winning the match 6 legs to 1.<ref name="data"/>

Rivalries

John Lowe

John Lowe played Bristow many times in televised tournaments, often in finals. Bristow said "Lowey has the perfect throw and he is a steady rather than spectacular player, but all I had to do was play my normal game and I'd beat him every time because he can't go up a gear. He couldn't raise his game like I could, or Jocky for that matter. However, I also knew that if I was off my game he'd grind me down and win by simply hitting ton, ton, ton, ton and just being consistent with his throwing", said Bristow in his autobiography.<ref name=" craftycockney3">Template:Cite book</ref> Lowe talked about Bristow (in Lowe's autobiography) "I've been friends with him, I've fallen out with him and I've celebrated on more than one occasion with him. Indeed, my own darting career wouldn't have been the same without him. Eric Bristow, MBE, is simply one of the greats".<ref name="oldstoneface">Template:Cite book</ref> Lowe also admitted he would have won a lot more world titles if Bristow hadn't come along.<ref name="oldstoneface2">Template:Cite book</ref>

Jocky Wilson

Bristow's rivalry with Jocky Wilson was sometimes volatile. Just before walking onto the stage for a World Cup match in Edinburgh in 1983, Wilson kicked Bristow, as Bristow recalled in his autobiography. "We were both standing at the back of the stage waiting to go on, the TV cameras were running and everything was set. Then the announcer said 'representing England we have Eric Bristow'. Just as I was about to go on stage and give the booing crowd some gyp Jocky took a run at me and kicked me as hard as he could in the shin. He took about two inches of skin off."<ref name=" craftycockney1">Template:Cite book</ref> Bristow responded saying "I grabbed him by the throat and I was going to kill him, but five officials managed to prise me off".<ref name=" craftycockney1" /> Blood was dripping down his leg but Bristow said he proceeded to beat him easily "I had to after what he did to me. I was fuming all the way through the game. When it was all over he put his arm round me and, with a smile on his face, said 'I've got to try to beat you somehow'. I couldn't do anything but laugh. One minute I wanted to tear him apart, the next we were at the bar having a drink".<ref name=" craftycockney1" /> Bristow said "deep down, I think he liked me, and I had a soft spot for him".<ref name=" craftycockney2">Template:Cite book</ref>

Personal life

File:Bristow, Eric.jpg
Bristow in 2009

Bristow was educated at Newington Green JM School before leaving for Hackney Downs Grammar School from 1968 to 1971, having passed his eleven-plus exam. He left grammar school at the age of 14.<ref name="guard"/>

From 1978 to 1987, Bristow was in a relationship with former darts player Maureen Flowers. In 1989, he married Jane Higginbotham (born 1962). They had two children, a daughter and a son. They divorced in 2005 after 16 years of marriage, and he was later in a relationship with Rebecca Gadd until his death.<ref name="guard"/>

Bristow was awarded the MBE in 1989 for his services to sport.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2005, Bristow was accused of assaulting his wife. North Staffordshire magistrates ordered him to stay away from the family home in Milltown Way, Leek, Staffordshire and he was remanded on conditional bail.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bristow was alleged to have punched her in the face during a drunken row in their bedroom on 29 April 2005.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was subsequently cleared of the charges.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2012, Bristow participated in the reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was voted out on 29 November 2012, finishing fourth out of 12 celebrities.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 29 November 2016, Bristow was sacked by Sky Sports following a series of tweets in which he responded to the United Kingdom football sexual abuse scandal centred around the football coach and convicted child sex offender, Barry Bennell. Bristow suggested the victims should have "sorted out" the perpetrators when they were older.<ref name="de Menezes"/><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> According to him, "Dart players tough guys footballers wimps". Bristow was condemned by some social media users, including alleged victims of Bennell, for his comments.<ref>Template:Cite news Template:Subscription required</ref> Bristow apologised for his comments the following day. In a statement, he compared himself to a "bull in a China shop" and "appreciated my wording was wrong and offended many people".<ref name="BBCS301116">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Khomami"/>

Death

Bristow died on 5 April 2018 after a heart attack while attending a Premier League Darts event at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. Bristow had finished playing some VIPs at a promotional event and was walking back to his car when he collapsed and was rushed to hospital.<ref name="died"/>

Speaking to BBC Radio 2, Bobby George said: "In the afternoon, I was doing a show at a pub opposite the Premier League (darts) building, and he just came in, said 'hello' and had a pint, then said 'see ya'. I said 'see ya' because I was working... he went across the road, and two-and-a-half hours later, he was gone."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="died">Template:Cite web</ref>

World Championship results

BDO

Bristow's World Championship results are as follows:<ref name="data"/>

PDC

Bristow's PDC results are as follows:<ref name="data"/>

Career finals

BDO and WDF

Bristow appeared in BDO and WDF major finals 31 times with a record of 22 wins and 9 runners-up.<ref name="data"/>

Legend
World Championship (5–5)
World Masters (5–1)
British Professional (2–0)
World Matchplay (2–0)
Grand Masters (5–1)
British Matchplay (3–2)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score<ref group=Note name=score>(l) = score in legs, (s) = score in sets.</ref>
Runner-up 1. 1977 British Matchplay (1) Template:Flagicon Rab Smith Unknown
Winner 1. 1977 Winmau World Masters (1) Template:Flagicon Paul Reynolds 3–1 (s)
Runner-up 2. 1977 Butlins Grand Masters(1) Template:Flagicon John Lowe 4–5 (l)
Winner 2. 1979 Winmau World Masters (1) Template:Flagicon Allan Hogg 2–0 (s)
Winner 3. 1980 World Darts Championship (1) Template:Flagicon Bobby George 5–3 (s)
Winner 4. 1981 World Darts Championship (2) Template:Flagicon John Lowe 5–3 (s)
Winner 5. 1981 Butlins Grand Masters (1) Template:Flagicon John Lowe Unknown
Winner 6. 1981 Winmau World Masters (3) Template:Flagicon John Lowe 2–1 (s)
Winner 7. 1982 British Matchplay (1) Template:Flagicon Dave Whitcombe 2–0 (s)
Winner 8. 1982 Butlins Grand Masters (2) Template:Flagicon Cliff Lazarenko 4–3 (l)<ref name=":1982butlins">Template:Cite news</ref>
Winner 9. 1982 British Professional Championship (1) Template:Flagicon John Lowe 7–3 (s)
Runner-up 3. 1983 World Darts Championship (1) Template:Flagicon Keith Deller 5–6 (s)
Winner 10. 1983 British Matchplay (2) Template:Flagicon Keith Deller 3–2 (s)
Winner 11. 1983 Butlins Grand Masters (3) Template:Flagicon Jocky Wilson 5–1 (l)
Winner 12. 1983 Winmau World Masters (4) Template:Flagicon Mike Gregory 2–1 (s)
Winner 13. 1984 World Darts Championship (3) Template:Flagicon Dave Whitcombe 7–1 (s)
Winner 14. 1984 Winmau World Masters (5) Template:Flagicon Keith Deller 3–1 (s)
Winner 15. 1985 World Darts Championship (4) Template:Flagicon John Lowe 6–2 (s)
Winner 16. 1985 Butlins Grand Masters (4) Template:Flagicon Terry O'Dea 5–3 (l)
Winner 17. 1985 MFI World Matchplay (1) Template:Flagicon Bob Anderson 5–4 (s)
Winner 18. 1985 British Professional Championship (2) Template:Flagicon John Lowe 7–4 (s)
Winner 19. 1986 World Darts Championship (5) Template:Flagicon Dave Whitcombe 6–0 (s)
Winner 20. 1986 British Matchplay (3) Template:Flagicon Dave Whitcombe 3–1 (s)
Winner 21. 1986 Butlins Grand Masters (5) Template:Flagicon Bob Sinnaeve Unknown
Runner-up 4. 1987 World Darts Championship (2) Template:Flagicon John Lowe 4–6 (s)
Runner-up 5. 1987 British Matchplay (2) Template:Flagicon Dave Whitcombe 0–3 (s)
Winner 22. 1988 MFI World Matchplay (2) Template:Flagicon Bob Sinnaeve 5–1 (s)
Runner-up 6. 1989 World Darts Championship (3) Template:Flagicon Jocky Wilson 4–6 (s)
Runner-up 7. 1989 Winmau World Masters (1) Template:Flagicon Peter Evison 2–3 (s)
Runner-up 8. 1990 World Darts Championship (4) Template:Flagicon Phil Taylor 1–6 (s)
Runner-up 9. 1991 World Darts Championship (5) Template:Flagicon Dennis Priestley 0–6 (s)

WDF

Bristol appeared in WDF major finals 6 times with 4 titles and 2 runners-up.<ref name="data"/>

Legend
World Cup (4–0)
Europe Cup (0–2)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Runner-up 1. 1980 Europe Cup Singles (1) Template:Flagicon Tony Brown ?–?
Runner-up 2. 1982 Europe Cup Singles (2) Template:Flagicon Bobby George 0–4
Winner 1. 1983 World Cup Singles (1) Template:Flagicon Jocky Wilson 4–2 (l)
Winner 2. 1985 World Cup Singles (2) Template:Flagicon Tony Payne 4–2 (l)
Winner 3. 1987 World Cup Singles (3) Template:Flagicon Bob Sinnaeve ?–? (l)
Winner 4. 1989 World Cup Singles (4) Template:Flagicon Jack McKenna ?–? (l)

Independent major finals

Bristow appeared in independent major finals 2 times and won 2 titles.<ref name="data"/>

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 1983 News of the World Championship (1) Template:Flagicon Ralph Flatt 2–0 (l)
Winner 2. 1984 News of the World Championship (2) Template:Flagicon Ian Robertson 2–0 (l)

Note Template:Reflist

Performance timeline

Bristow's performance timeline is as follows:<ref name="data"/> CH= County Heats, CF= County Finals, DF= Divisional Finals

BDO

Tournament 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
Template:Nowrap NYF 1R QF W W 1R F W W W F SF F F F 2R 2R
Winmau World Masters W 3R W QF W QF W W 4R 4R SF QF F 4R 4R 4R DNP
British Matchplay F SF QF SF<ref name=":1980britmatch">Template:Cite news</ref> SF W W SF SF W F SF QF QF QF DNP
Template:Nowrap Not held 2R W SF SF W 2R 1R 1R Not held
Butlins Grand Masters F QF 1R<ref name=":1979butlinsgrand">Template:Cite news</ref> 1R W W W SF W W Not held
MFI World Matchplay Not held 1R W 1R QF W Not held
Template:Nowrap ??? DF ??? CF ??? W W CF ??? DF ??? CH CF Not held

PDC

Tournament 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
PDC World Championship RR RR RR SF RR 1R 1R
World Matchplay 1R 1R 1R 1R 1R 1R DNP

High averages

Template:See also

Eric Bristow televised high averages
Average Date Opponent Tournament Stage Score Ref.
105.30 17 September 1983 Template:Flagicon Alan Glazier British Professional Championship Last 32 3–0 (S)
103.24 22 October 1983 Template:Flagicon Jocky Wilson World Cup Final 4–2 (L)
101.16 8 December 1984 Template:Flagicon Keith Deller Winmau World Masters Final 3–1 (S)
99.66 11 January 1985 Template:Flagicon Dave Whitcombe World Darts Championship Semi-finals 5–2 (S)

References

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