Eric Bristow, MBE
Personal information
Nickname	The Crafty Cockney
Date of birth	[verification needed]April 25, 1957 (1957-04-25) (age 50)
Place of birth	Hackney,
Home town	Leek, Staffordshire,
Organisation
BDO	1979 to 1993
PDC	founder member (1993)
Current World Ranking	371
BDO Grand Slam Events - Best Performances
World Ch'ship	Winner 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986
World Masters	Winner 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984
PDC Televised Events - Best Performances
World Ch'ship	SF 1997
World Matchplay	1st Rd (6 times, 94-99)
Other Tournament Wins
Tournament	Years
News of the World WDF World Cup Singles British Professional British Open British Matchplay Butlins Grand Masters PDC World Pairs British Gold Cup Blackthorn Masters Swedish Open Danish Open N.American Open Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 115th day of the year (116th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... The Hackney Empire is one of the oldest surviving music halls in Britain. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Leek is a town in the county of Staffordshire, England, on the River Churnet. ... Staffordshire (abbreviated Staffs) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... It has been suggested that Other BDO tournaments be merged into this article or section. ... The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) is a professional darts organisation, established in the United Kingdom during 1992 which split from the officially-recognised British Darts Organisation. ... Darts world rankings are a system which should determine a list of the best dart players in the world based on their performances in tournaments. ... The BDO World Darts Championship began in 1978, when it was held at the Heart of the Midlands nightclub, Nottingham. ... The Winmau World Masters is one of the longest running professional darts tournaments, which began in 1974 - even before the current World Professional Championship. ... The PDC World Darts Championship is the biggest of the PDC tournaments, held at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, Essex beginning in late December and finishing in early January. ... The Stan James World Matchplay is a Darts event, played in a legs format, and is run by the Professional Darts Corporation, and sponsored by gambling company, Stan James, and has been played yearly since 1994. ...	1983, 1984 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989 1982, 1985 1978, 1981, 1983, 1986 1976, 1983 1981, 1982, 1983 1995 1980 1984 1979, 1981, 1982 1980, 1984, 1989 1979, 1983, 1984, 1986
Other Achievements
1989 Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire MBE[1] 2005 Inducted (with John Lowe) as first members of PDC Hall of Fame Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand Cross...
Infobox last updated on: 19 November, 2006. is the 323rd day of the year (324th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Eric Bristow MBE ("The Crafty Cockney") (born Hackney, London, 25 April 1957^{[verification needed]}) is a British darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... St Mary-le-Bow The term cockney refers to working-class inhabitants of London, particularly east London, and the slang used by these people. ... The Metropolitan Borough of Hackney was a metropolitan borough of the County of London from 1899 to 1965. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... is the 115th day of the year (116th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... A standard dart board. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

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. A World Championship is any contest to determine the best in the world in a particular field. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Bobby George (born 1945) is a darts player and pundit, who is known as one of the leading characters in the game for his flamboyant entrances (in which the King of Darts comes in wearing a crown and cloak and holding a candelabra to the sound of Queens We... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a large baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. ... Steve Davis OBE (born August 22, 1957) is an English professional snooker player who was born in London and lives in Brentwood, Essex with his wife and two sons. ... Keith Deller (born December 24, 1959 in Ipswich) is an English darts player. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ...

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. An amusingly named pub (the Old New Inn) at Bourton-on-the-Water, in the Cotswold Hills of South West England A pub in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh, Scotland A public house, usually known as a pub, is a drinking establishment found mainly in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada... Year 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Santa Monica (disambiguation). ... Polish Prevention Detachment New York City Police Department patrol car Police are agents or agencies empowered to effect public and social order through various means of coercion including the legitimate use of force. ... Flag Ratio: 1:2 The Union Flag (also known as the Union Jack; see discussion below) is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ...

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". This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Tea leaves in a Chinese gaiwan. ... Upper class refers to the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. ...

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. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Darts world rankings are a system which should determine a list of the best dart players in the world based on their performances in tournaments. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. ... Gamesmanship is the use of dubious (although not technically illegal) methods to win a game, such as golf or snooker. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic) Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic and Scots1 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II... View of Jupiters active atmosphere, including the Great Red Spot. ...

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. The Winmau World Masters is one of the longest running professional darts tournaments, which began in 1974 - even before the current World Professional Championship. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... The News of the World Individual Darts Championship was one of the first major organised darts competitions, which began in 1927. ...

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. Psychology (from Greek: ψυχή, psukhē, spirit, soul; and λόγος, logos, knowledge) is an academic / applied discipline involving the scientific study of mental processes and behavior of humans and animals. ... Dartitis (pronounced dart-eye-tis) is a condition which can affect dart players, and severely damage their performance and results. ... People who inhabit a mesa in the far southwest corner of the Winkie Country located in the Land of Oz. ... This article is about the sport. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...

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. This page is about Stoke-on-Trent in England. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Philip Douglas Taylor (born August 13, 1960) is a multi world champion darts player. ... It has been suggested that Maître à penser be merged into this article or section. ...

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. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. ... Kevin kenny is a darts player who played for England and Merseyside , and was also a two time semi-finalist at the embassy world championships. ... The Stan James World Matchplay is a Darts event, played in a legs format, and is run by the Professional Darts Corporation, and sponsored by gambling company, Stan James, and has been played yearly since 1994. ... The 1997 Red Band World Darts Championship was held between 29 December, 1996 and 5 January, 1997 at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB - formerly two companies, Sky Television and British Satellite Broadcasting, which merged) is a company that operates the most popular subscription television service in the UK and Ireland. ...

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. Steve Brennan (born February 2, 1951) is a former darts player who competed in the 1980s. ... Jazz Festival box Office, Edmonton A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to a venue. ... In psychiatry, histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a personality disorder which involves a pattern of excessive emotional expression and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval and inappropriate seductiveness, that usually begins in early adulthood. ...

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, Klassen 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. Raymond van Barneveld (born April 20, 1967 in The Hague, Netherlands), nickname Barney and The Man, is a professional darts player. ... It has been suggested that Other BDO tournaments be merged into this article or section. ... Klaasen with the Lakeside World Trophy 2006 Jelle Klaasen (nicknamed Young Matador) (born 17 October 1984) is a professional darts player from Alphen, North Brabant, Netherlands. ... Philip Douglas Taylor (born August 13, 1960) is a multi world champion darts player. ... The Topic International Darts League is a darts tournament held at the Triavium in Nijmegen, Netherlands. ...

Personal life

Bristow was awarded the MBE for his services to darts in 1989. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander...

Bristow is a polydactyl, having six toes on his right foot, which some say gave him an advantage in balance over other players. Polydactyly, or polydactylism, also known as hyperdactyly is the anatomical variant consisting of more than the usual number of digits on the hands and/or feet. ...

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.^[2] Bristow was alleged to have punched her in the face during a drunken row in their bedroom on April 29, 2005. ^[3]. He was eventually cleared of the charges.^[4] 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. ^[5] is the 119th day of the year (120th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

External links