ERIC BRISTOW

'Eric Bristow MBE' (''"The Crafty Cockney"'') (born Hackney, London, 25 April 1957) is a British darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport.

Contents

Early career

Technique

Achievements

Dartitis and Mentoring

Darting controversy

Personal life

References

External links

Early career

Bristow won his first world championship in 1980, defeating fellow Londoner Bobby George, and so began a decade's worth of domination, in which he would retain his title in 1981 and win it again in 1984, 1985 and 1986. Like his snooker contemporary Steve Davis, however, he had to cope also with a shock defeat during this period, when young unknown Keith Deller beat him in the 1983 final, not to mention Steve Brennan in the previous year's 1st Round. He finished as runner-up on four other occasions up to 1991.
The nickname of the ''Crafty Cockney'' was given to Bristow when he visited an English pub of that name in 1976 during a visit to Santa Monica. It became a nomenclature which stuck throughout his career. 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.

Technique

The way players hold a dart when playing the game has no rules nor recommended technique - players grasp a dart simply in the manner with which they feel comfortable. Bristow became known more than other players, however, for his style, which involved the extension of his little finger in a similar manner to the drinking of tea in upper class circumstances - "me perked up right pinkie" he called it. Yet when he pulled the dart back from aiming position, he circled it with all of his fingers, therefore leading to speculation that the routine with the little finger was worthless to his throw. When asked about it, Bristow admitted the style was "just for show".

Achievements

Bristow emerged as the most successful and consistent darts player of the 1980s, reigning as number one in the world rankings from 1 January 1980 until 1987. He was fortunate to have been around at the right time as television began showing increased interest in the sport in the late 1970s, with the first world championship occurring in 1978. This, allied to the fact that a governing body had been formed in January 1973 and that Bristow had not only supreme talent for one so young but an imposing personality and uncontained belief, enabled him to make a very successful living. Cocky and arrogant, he invariably wound opponents up before and during matches with his gamesmanship. Crowds would boo Bristow when he was on stage, no less so than in Scotland, an atmosphere in which he revelled.
As well as his world championship exploits, Bristow also lifted the prestigious Winmau World Masters crown no fewer than five times (1977, 1979, 1981, 1983 and 1984). He was a winner of the World Cup Singles on four occasions (1983, 1985, 1987, 1989) and won the News of the World tournament in 1983 and 1984 together with countless other major tournaments including the British Open and Swedish Open three times each and the North American Open on four occasions.

Dartitis and Mentoring

During the Swedish Open in the summer of 1987, he found himself unable to let go of his darts properly - a psychological condition known as dartitis, a bit like the yips in golf. He was never the same player again but did, incredibly, regain the number one ranking briefly in 1990.
Bristow had come across a raw darts talent in Stoke-on-Trent in the late 1980s and offered him £10,000 to fund his development in the game, on the understanding that the cash would be repaid. The player was Phil Taylor who would go on to usurp his mentor as the greatest darts player ever, with Bristow often on the receiving end of his brilliance.
Bristow's form deteriorated alarmingly in the early 1990s and he was dropped from the Merseyside team (his third county) where he played with his international team mate Kevin Kenny and then the national side. The split within darts (another governing body was formed) coincided with, effectively, the end of his career. At the World Matchplay event in Blackpool, Bristow made six appearances and never managed to win a single match. His swansong came in a classic semi-final at the 1997 PDC World Championship which he lost, ironically, to his protégé Phil Taylor. Bristow's last appearance came at the World Championships in 2000 - ending his 23 years run of playing in the event and he ceased playing the sport professionally. He now works mainly as a pundit and occasional commentator for Sky Sports during PDC tournaments, whilst continuing to travel and play on the "exhibitions" circuit.

Darting controversy

Bristow can always be relied upon for quotes and sometimes controversy. His reaction to a defeat by Steve Brennan in the 1986 MFI World Matchplay tournament was "...I keep losing to wallies." Never short of a word before or after a match, he was pure box-office with plenty of histrionics during games.
Following an invitation by Raymond van Barneveld to witness the 2006 BDO darts final; Bristow caused heated controversy by labelling the British Darts Organisation (rival to the PDC) as 'amateur darts' following Jelle Klaasen's 7-5 triumph. One of Eric's comments was that "If (Jelle Klaasen) were to face the ''real'' world champion (Phil Taylor), Phil would absolutely destroy him". However, Klaasen got the last laugh. Although his form has failed to stay consistent with his world title win, he proved Eric wrong by defeating Taylor in the International Darts League, an even sweeter accomplishment as the tournament was held in Klaasen's home country of the Netherlands.

Personal life

Bristow was awarded the MBE for his services to darts in 1989.
Bristow is a polydactyl, having six toes on his right foot, which some say gave him an advantage in balance over other players.
Bristow was accused of assaulting his wife, Jane (b. 1962) in 2005. They had been married since c. 1989. North Staffordshire magistrates ordered him to stay away from the family home in Millington Way, Leek, Staffordshire and he was remanded on conditional bail.^[1] Bristow was alleged to have punched her in the face during a drunken row in their bedroom on April 29, 2005. ^[2]. He was eventually cleared of the charges.^[3] After the case was concluded Bristow said that his wife had just got a new boyfriend and wanted a divorce and he was now living with his children at his mother's house in Leek. ^[4] Bristow was also involved in a public disturbance in Gateshead, which was by chance recorded by police reality show 'Street Crime UK', and then broadcast as part of an episode of the show.

References

1. Bristow accused of attack on wife
2. Court proceedings
3. Bristow cleared
4. Bristow speaking after court case

External links