That 1980s Sports Blog: Keith Deller: 1983 World Darts Champion A blog about anything to do with sport in the 1980s. Wednesday, 13 June 2012 Keith Deller: 1983 World Darts Champion Sporting legacies are all well and good, but there is something to be said for that one occasion in a sporting career where everything seems to click for the competitor involved. A one-off performance when all falls into place, or a tournament where for some reason, the participant can do no wrong, and is fully in the zone. So for every Davis or Hendry, there will always be a Joe Johnson; Sampras may have dominated Wimbledon, but for two glorious weeks in 1996, Richard Krajicek reached levels that he probably didn't know existed in his game; and Bristow may have ruled world darts in the early to mid-eighties, though for one magical week in 1983 in Stoke-on-Trent, Keith Deller, a 23-year-old from Ipswich, shocked the darting world by becoming the first qualifier to win the World Championship, and the youngest winner at that.

Deller was on the face of things a breath of fresh air to the game. Young, baby-faced, and relatively slim, he did drink alcohol, but not to the levels of the other players, as so famously mocked by the Not the Nine O'Clock News sketch (indeed Deller temporarily became known as the Milky Bar Kid due to the fact that milk was a favourite tipple of his). A relative unknown to the dart viewing public in 1983, he had actually been on the circuit for three years, and was regarded highly enough by many in the game, including Bristow's dad George, who backed Deller in every round of the 1983 championships, bar the final. Bristow was of course the complete antithesis of Deller: a double world champion, a drinker and smoker, and the man who put cocky into cockney. In reality, Bristow was darts, and every man, woman and dog expected him to make it three titles at the Jollees Cabaret Club between January 1-8 .

After a deciding set win against Scotland's Peter Masson in the first round, Bristow repeated the dose with a 3-2 victory over Dave Lee in round two, and a 4-3 victory against Dave Whitcombe in the quarter finals. Normal service however was resumed in the semi-finals, as Tony Brown was hammered 5-1, and the watching millions (estimated at between 8.4-10 million for the final) sat back waiting for the young upstart to be brushed aside by the Crafty Cockney. Deller on the other hand had to contend with much bigger obstacles en route to the final. A 2-1 win over Nicky Virachkul in the first round and a 3-1 win over Les Capewell in round two, set up the none-too-tasty prospect of 1979 world champion and world number 3 John Lowe in the quarter finals.

Lowe, 14 years Deller's senior, and a man who had been round the block more than a few times, was unable to shake the younger man off however, and Deller triumphed 4-3 to book his place in the semi-final against 1982 world champion and world number two Jocky Wilson. If Deller was to reach a final on his debut, then few could argue that he had enjoyed an easy passage along the way. Crucially Wilson missed a nine-dart finish in the third leg of the first set, a moment Bristow has since admitted probably cost the Scotsman a place in the final. Don't forget, the nine-darter back in the 80s was almost seen as the holy grail of the game, and no one had ever successfully accomplished the impossible dream on television (Lowe would be the first to do so a year later at the World Matchplay, winning a cool £102,000 in the process). The missed double-18 may have just been one leg in the marathon semi-final, but the impact of the miss lived with Wilson throughout the match.

Deller's 5-3 victory earned him a place in the final, where Bristow would understandably be the hottest favourite in the tournament's short history. Commentator Sid Waddell neatly summed up the task ahead for Deller with one of his famous soundbites: "He's not just an underdog, he's an underpuppy." In short, Deller was not at all fancied to beat Bristow, although critically Bristow, behind all his bravado, knew the youngster was well worth his place in the final, and had his full respect. After all, a player who had knocked out two previous world champions was not to be under estimated, and Bristow was well aware of this. All started well for Deller, as he raced into a 3-1 lead, in the best of 11 final. But Bristow hit back immediately, winning the next set, and in a deciding leg in the sixth set, Bristow hit a crucial double-16 to level the match at 3-3. The impetus seemed to be with the double world champion, although if Deller was feeling the strain he was hardly showing it.

Surprisingly Deller won the next two sets, and at 5-3 the impossible was starting to look a reality. Sometimes the hardest part of winning is dragging yourself over the line (ask Mike Gregory ) and six missed doubles for the world title (double-16, double-9, double-4, and three at double-2) left Deller vulnerable. Bristow didn't need a second invitation to take advantage of Deller's temporary blip, winning the next two sets to take the world final into a deciding set. After a week of intense competition, all would boil down to one final set, a test of who could hold their nerve more. If this was the case, then surely Bristow would be holding the trophy yet again come the conclusion of the final set. This looked even more likely when Bristow took the first leg against the throw, to lead for the first time in the match. All the momentum was with Bristow and it finally looked a bridge too far for the underdog.

Somehow Deller found something from deep within his reserves to throw a 12-dart leg (100, 140, 140 and 121) and won the third leg to yet again move within one leg of claiming the world crown. With the scores at Bristow 121 and Deller 138, Bristow stepped up to the oche, hit 17 and treble-18, leaving one dart at bullseye. "Bullseye" stated Waddell, as the camera zoomed in on the centre of the board. But Bristow wasn't interested, instead hitting 18 to leave double-16 (his favourite double). "Played the percentage shot" added Waddell swiftly after Bristow's strategy became known. With Deller on 138 it probably was the correct thing to do, although Bristow was gambling: "Living dangerous, Bristow - he's banking on Deller not doing this" noted Waddell. And he was spot-on.

Only Bristow knows what went through his mind as he turned and saw Deller's first dart hit treble-20, but as I'm sure I once heard on Blackadder, it probably rhymed with clucking bell. When Deller then hit treble-18, Bristow's heart must have dropped through his stomach and hit his feet. To the general astonishment of the millions of viewers, Deller needed double-12 for a remarkable out shot and the biggest prize in darts. "But the shot's on for the title" uttered Waddell in an understandable tone of both disbelief and anticipation. As the final dart hit the intended target, Deller leapt around, both arms aloft in triumph, looking elated and slightly startled at the same time. "I am telling ya, I'm telling ya, I've seen nothing like it in my life" shouted Waddell, and it was hard to disagree with the excitable voice of darts. The emotion experienced by Waddell and Deller was shared throughout the viewing nation.

Deller, reflecting on his win, pointed out that "Loads of spectators were crying their eyes out with joy - even men." The new face of darts was expected to rake in big money, the Daily Express' Christopher Hilton commenting that "He could earn upwards of £100,000 this year." But through all of this euphoria and hype, Deller seemed remarkably well grounded: "I want to show I'm more than a flash in the pan and that I can keep on beating the Eric Bristows and and Jocky Wilsons." Very mature words from someone so young and raw. Yes, a darts player holding a pint of milk! Deller did indeed experience a relatively successful 1983 after his world title win: he won the Double Diamond Masters, and reached the final of the Isle of Man Challenge, British Matchplay and the British Pentathlon (losing the former two to Bristow and the latter to Lowe). Inevitably though, the strain of being world champion started to catch up with him: the constant trudge on the exhibition road, the appearances on This is Your Life and Surprise, Surprise, the Stringfellows visits (as explained in this Observer article from 2006).

Once you have reached the peak it is often harder to gain the motivation to go back to the base of the mountain and start all over again (the 2003 England rugby world cup winners and the 2005 Ashes winning team are good examples of this). In 1984, Deller turned up to defend his world crown and was promptly dumped out of the tournament in the first round by Nicky Virachkul - the very man who he'd beaten in the corresponding stage the year before. Although Deller's career didn't take a complete nose-dive, his fortunes at the World Championships were grounded: first round defeat in 1984, 1987 and 1988, a quarter final in 1985, second round in 1986. Bristow dusted himself down and proceeded to win the next three World Championships. But then the dreaded dartitis struck, gaining a notable scalp, and Bristow was never really the same dominating force again.

It says a lot for the man and his natural ability that he would still reach the final in 1987, the semi-final in 1988, and three more finals between 1989-1991. The man who had done so much to put darts on the map and television, was one of the driving forces (along with Deller, Lowe, Wilson and others) in the darts split of 1993, which did so much to improve the lot of a darts player at the time, and indeed to this day. Unfortunately Bristow wasn't really able to fully take advantage of the benefits in moving to Sky, but his semi-final performance at the 1997 PDC World Championships provided his fans with one last hurrah. It is a sad statistic that Deller only won three further matches in the Embassy championships after his 1983 victory. Even sadder still was the time I saw him walking on to the stage for the 1998 World Matchplay semi-finals to the D:Ream song 'Things Can Only Get Better', with the MC trying unsuccessfully to get the crowd to replace the word 'Better' with 'Deller'.

But, this embarrassing moment aside, Keith Deller deserves our full respect. OK, his star never shined so brightly after his 1983 annus mirabilis, he never did get close to ever claiming a second world title, but at least he did it once, and there are countless players, past and present, who would dearly love to have done that. To win the world crown is one thing, but to beat three world champions along the way proves that it wasn't lucky. After that first glorious week of 1983 things were never likely to get better (or DELLER!) for the 23-year-old from Ipswich, but - to quote Barry Davies - frankly who cares? Posted by World Dart Champions Share / Home / Resource / World Champions Today there are two recognised World Dart Champions the BDO / WDF Word Champion and the PDC World Champion. The first World Champion was Leighton Rees from Wales. Leighton beat John Lowe 11 legs to 7 and won £3,000.The final was played in legs not sets as it is today. The first World Championship was held at the 'Heart of the Midlands' night club in Nottingham.

The tournament then moved to Jollees Club Stoke-on-Trent where it remained until 1985. Since1986 the World Darts finals have been held at the Lakeside complex Frimley Green, Surrey. In 1992 saw a number of players split from the BDO and form their own darts organisation; The World Darts Council later to be renamed as the Professional Darts Corporation PDC (See History ). In 1994 the PDC staged their first World Darts Championships to rival The BDO Championship. Many of the best names in darts had moved to the PDC and it has always been bitter rivalry of who is the best. In 2001 the BDO introduced the first women’s World Darts Championship. Trina Gulliver from England has won this event every year from 2001-2007. In 2008 Trina reached the final again but this time she was defeated by Russia's Anastasia Dobromyslava 2-0.

Trina lost again in the 2009 final to Francis Hoenselaar but regained her crown in 2010, 2011 and 2016. Trina has qualified for the World final ever year since it's conception. The lists below shows the World Champions of past and present. Many remember the winners but who did they beat and what was the score? The first World Championships, 1978, was play best of 21 legs not set play as it has been ever since. A few past World Champions Leighton Rees, John Lowe, Eric Bristow MBE, Jocky Wilson.

Phil Taylor & Trina Gulliver MBE 2017 BDO / WDF Men's World Champion - Glen Durrant (England) 1978 - 3 PDC World Championships Main Sponsors: 1994 - 1995 Skol International, 1995 - 1996 Proton Cars, 1996 - 1997 Verons, 1998 - 2002 Skol International, 2003 - 2014 Ladbrookes, William Hill 2015 - Current The highest average achieved in the televised stages of the PDC World Championship Finals is 114.05 set by Michael van Gerwen in the 2017 semi-finals. Michael beat Raymond van Barneveld who also set the highest losing average seen also seen at the championships, 109.34 Phil Taylor recorded a three dart average of 110.94 in the 2009 final. The highest ever for any major darts championship final.

The 2017 final also broke the most 180’s hit in any darts match, a total of 42. Michael van Gerwen hit 20, 180's while Gary Anderson hit 22, 180's Adrian Lewis hit a nine dart leg in the opening set of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Final in 2011. The first ever dart player to achieve this feat in a World Darts Final For more information on PDC events please visit the PDC website 2016 PDC Unicorn World Youth Darts Champion Corey Cadby (Austraila) 2011 Darts 501 - News of the World Dart Champions News of The World Dart Champions Share / Home / Resource / News of the World Dart Champions THE NEWS OF THE WORLD INDIVIDUAL DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP Winners The "News of the World" tournament began in 1927 and was originally a London competition. It then expanded to become one of the World's biggest darts tournaments.

After a couple of breaks it returned for the last time in 1996/7 by then there were two competitions a men's and ladies. The men's competition was won by Phil Taylor and the ladies by Linda Jones. It is said to be one of the hardest competitions to win as the format was best of three legs thought every round included as you can see here by some of the results the final. LONDON AREA 1927-28 Sammy Stone (New South-West Ham Club) beat B Haigh (Victoria Inn, Kensington). 1928-29 J Hoare (Duke’s Head, East Twickenham) beat L Lee (New Eltham SC). 1929-30 C Bowley (Shakespeare’s Head, Finsbury) beat W H Gentry (St Pancras) 2-0. 1930-31 Tommy Nye (Tankerville Arms, Kennington) beat R Wright (Hampstead) 2-0. 1931-32 Jack Hood (Hood’s Dartboards, Bow) beat George Branch (Tottenham) 2-0.

1932-33 Kenny Enever (Bull, Mitcham) beat F Wearn (Bricklayer’s Arms, Putney) 2-1. 1933-34 Fred Metson (Hanbury Arms, Islington) beat W Rossiter (Wellington, New Cross) 2-0. 1934-35 Billy Forecast (Duke of York, Bow) beat Jim Pike (Hope, Carshalton) 2-0. LONDON & HOME COUNTIES 1935-36 Peter Finnigan (Eight Bells, Tolworth) beat Albert White (Weaver’s Arms, Islington) 2-0. 1936-37 Stan Outten (Seven Kings Hotel, Ilford) beat T Hares (Stag & Hounds, Ashford, Middx) 2-0. 1937-38 Fred Wallis (Railway Hotel, Eastbourne) beat F E Betts (Waterman’s Arms, Norwich) 2-1.

LONDON & SOUTH 1938-39 Marmaduke Breckon (Jolly Sailor, Hanworth) beat Jim Pike (Windmill Club, Southwark) 2-1. WALES 1936-37 D Cornacia (Ivy Bush Hotel, Pontardawe) beat T A Jones (Llanerch Hotel, Llandrindod Wells) 2-0. 1937-38 Gwyn Jones (Unemployed Club, Penygraig) beat Jack Gorvett (Ferry Boat Inn, Briton Ferry) 2-0. 1938-39 Charlie Parker (Castle Inn, Pontywaun) beat Horace Trickett (Old Express Hotel, Merthyr) 2-0. LANCASHIRE 1937-38 Sam McIntosh (Duke of York, Salford) beat Luke Ratcliffe (Commercial Hotel, Oldham) 2-0. LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE 1938-39 Peter Birchall (St Peter’s Liberal Club, Oldham) beat Jack Kirk (Sandon Arms, Heswall) 2-1.

MIDLAND COUNTIES 1938-39 Harry Prior (Duke’s Head, Polebrook) beat H Ball (Gardens Hotel, Stapenhill) 2-0. NORTH 1938-39 Jimmy Young (Wheatsheaf Hotel, Newcastle-u-Tyne) beat Tom Steel (Atlantic Hotel, West Hartlepool) 2-1. YORKSHIRE 1938-39 Jim Munroe (Vine Tree, Wakefield) beat George Johnson (Fisherman’s Hut, Leeds) 2-1. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 1947-48 Harry Leadbetter (Windle Labour Club, St Helens) beat Tommy Small (Sth Durham Steel & Iron SC, West Hartlepool) 2-1 1948-49 Jackie Boyce (New Southgate SC) beat Stan Outten (Dr Johnson, Barkingside) 2-1. 1949-50 Dixie Newberry (Albert, Hitchin) beat Ronnie Ridley (King Edward Hotel, Newcastle-u-Tyne) 2-0.

1950-51 Harry Perryman (Home Office SC, Greenford) beat Laurie Runchman (Feathers, Felixstowe) 2-0. 1951-52 Tommy Gibbons (Ivanhoe WMC, Conisbrough) beat Jack Wallace (Low Seaton BL, Workington) 2-0. 1952-53 Jimmy Carr (Red Lion, Dipton) beat Ernest Greatbatch (Horse Vaults Hotel, Pontefract) 2-0. 1953-54 Oliver James (Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Onllwyn) beat Johnny Bell (Sun, Waltham Abbey) 2-0. 1954-55 Tom Reddington (New Inn, Stonebroom) beat Johnny Bell (Sun, Waltham Abbey) 2-0. 1955-56 Trevor Peachey (Black Fox, Thurston) beat Les Campbell (Boot, Dinas) 2-0. 1956-57 Alwyn Mullins (Traveller’s Rest, Tickhill) beat Len Baker (Corporation Hotel, Cardiff) 2-0.

1957-58 Tommy Gibbons (Ivanhoe WMC, Conisbrough) beat Eric Moss (Railway Tavern, Harleston) 2-0. 1958-59 Albert Welsh (Horden Hotel, Seaham) beat Frank Whitehead (White Rose Hotel, Rossington) 2-1. 1959-60 Tom Reddington (George Hotel, Alfreton)beat Dai Jones (Cambrian Hotel, Aberystwyth) 2-1. 1960-61 Alec Adamson (Prince of Wales, Hetton-le-Hole) beat Eddie Brown (Magpie, Stonham) 2-1. 1961-62 Eddie Brown (Magpie, Stonham) beat Dennis Follett (Cadeleigh Arms, Cadeleigh) 2-0. 1962-63 Robbie Rumney (Waterloo Hotel, Darlington) beat Bill Harding (Globe Hotel, Aberdare) 2-0. 1963-64 Tom Barrett (Odco SC, London) beat Ray Hatton (Flower of the Valley Hotel, Rochdale) 2-0.

1964-65 Tom Barrett (Odco SC, London) beat Norman Fielding (Station Inn, Swannington) 2-1. 1965-66 Wilf Ellis (Brookside WMC, Upton) beat Ron Langley (Arlington SC, Harlow) 2-1. 1966-67 Wally Seaton (Swan, Parson Drove) beat Brian Quarterman (Ivy Inn, North Littleton) 2-0. 1967-68 Bill Duddy (Rose & Thistle, Frimley Green) beat Gerry Feeney (Unicorn Club, Workington) 2-0. 1968-69 Barry Twomlow (Red Lion, Chesterfield) beat Paul Gosling (William IV, Truro) 2-0. 1969-70 Henry Barney (Pointers Inn, Newchurch, IoW) beat Alan Cooper (Plough, Filton) 2-0. 1970-71 Dennis Filkins (Barrow, Hepburn & Gale SC, Bermondsey) beat Derek White (Ship, Weymouth) 2-0.

1971-72 Brian Netherton (Welcome Home Inn, Par) beat Alan Evans (Ferndale Hotel, Rhondda) 2-0. 1972-73 Ivor Hodgkinson (Great Northern, Langley Mill) beat Ron Church (Royal Alfred, Shoreditch) 2-1. 1973-74 Peter Chapman (Bird in Hand, Henley) beat Paul Gosling (Portscatho Club, Truro) 2-1. 1974-75 Derek White (Belvedere Inn, Weymouth) beat Bill Duddy (Frimley Green WMC) 2-1. 1975-76 Bill Lennard (Cotton Tree Inn, Manchester) beat Leighton Rees (Ynysybwl USC, Pontypridd) 2-0. 1976-77 Mick Norris (King of Denmark, Ramsgate) beat Bob Crosland (Blackamoor Head, Pontefract) 2-0.

1977-78 Stefan Lord (Stockholm Super Darts Club) beat John Coward (White Hart BL, Sedbergh) 2-0. 1978-79 Bobby George (King George V, Ilford) beat Alan Glazier (George & Dragon, Wetherby) 2-0. 1979-80 Stefan Lord (Stockholm Super Darts Club) beat Dave Whitcombe (Naval Club, Chatham) 2-0. 1980-81 John Lowe (Willow Tree, Pilsley) beat Mick Norris (Earl St Vincent, Ramsgate) 2-0. 1981-82 Roy Morgan (Wheel o’ Worfield, Worfield) beat Jim Hughes (Parcwern Country Club, Ammanford) 2-1. 1982-83 Eric Bristow (Foaming Quart, Norton Green) beat Ralph Flatt (Old Red House, Carlton Colville) 2-0. 1983-84 Eric Bristow (Milton Hayes BC, Stoke-on-Trent) beat Ian Robertson (Bell, Marston Moretaine) 2-0.

1984-85 Dave Lee (Ivor Arms, Pontllanfraith) beat Billy Dunbar (Woolwich Infant, London) 2-0. 1985-86 Bobby George (Old Maypole, Hainault) beat Rick Ney (US Darting Association) 2-0. 1986-87 Mike Gregory (Stones Cross Hotel, Midsomer Norton) beat Peter Evison (Halcyon/Spikes, Peterborough) 2-0. 1987-88 Mike Gregory (Stones Cross Hotel, Midsomer Norton) beat Kevin Spiolek (Cambridge Squash Club) 2-1. 1988-89 Dave Whitcombe (King’s Head, Ipswich) beat Dennis Priestley (Horseshoe, Rotherham). 1989-90 Paul Cook (Gorse Hill WMC, Swindon) beat Steve Hudson (Oakworth SC, Keighley). 1989-90 Ladies: Lynne Ormond (George, Alford) beat Jane Stubbs (Roebuck Hotel, Northwich).

(Competition suspended) 1996-97 Phil Taylor (Cricketer’s Arms, Newcastle-under-Lyme) beat Ian White (Dockside Inn, Runcorn) 2-0. 1996-97 Ladies: Linda Jones (Seven Stars, Chorley) beat Melanie Saunders (Railway Inn, Abergavenny) 2-0. (Competition suspended) BDO world championship is a faltering relic that’s worth clinging on to | Sean Ingle | Sport | The Guardian BDO world championship is a faltering relic that’s worth clinging on to The BDO has slipped - and is now mostly an unwilling feeder to the PDC.

Photograph: Paul Thurlby Contact author Sunday 4 January 2015 12.22 EST Last modified on Monday 4 April 2016 10.00 EDT Share on Messenger Close How appropriate in a week where Radio 4 turned over its New Year’s Day schedule to War and Peace, Tolstoy’s epic breezeblock of a novel, that an even greater saga of fighting, feuding and shifting allegiances flared up again – as the Professional Darts Corporation and the British Darts Organisation bumped 52-inch chests during the brief overlap between their rival world championships. It has been 22 years since darts’ Great Schism. Ever since the sport’s blood brothers have wrestled for supremacy – think Alan Bates and Oliver Reed in Women in Love, only without the flexibility or homoeroticism – but this year the PDC, which now boasts almost all of the top players, seems closer than ever to a winning pin. Certainly Barry Hearn, the silver-tongued chairman of the PDC, thinks so.

As he tweeted on Saturday : “BBC, BT [Sport], or whoever have got to stop calling the Lakeside [the] world professional champs – it’s an offence under the trades description act.” Meanwhile Eric Bristow, the five-times world champion and a Sky talking head, asked mockingly : “Will anyone get a 100 average in the Amateur Darts Round 1 at Frimley Green?” That Hearn and Bristow, two of the PDC’s old guard, have stuck their tungsten-tipped loafers into the BDO’s guts is hardly a surprise. The worrying development for the BDO is that some of its players agree. As Ross “the Boss” Montgomery put it: “It’s our world championship but it doesn’t feel as prestigious as it used to. “If you talk to the young players they are not mentioning [BDO] players like Martin Adams or myself, they all want to be [PDC players] Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor or Adrian Lewis.

They want to go over to the other side as soon as they can and if that continues our game is going to die.” It hardly helped that in the opening match of the BDO championship Peter Sajwani, the reigning Torremolinos Open champion, took 27 darts to win his first leg – or that his three-dart average in winning 3-0 was just 73.62. To put that into perspective, in the quarter-finals of the PDC championship the cumulative three-dart average was 100.05, while in the semi-finals it was 101.5 – both records. Still, for all its failings, it is hard not to retain the fondness of a first love for the Lakeside, the home of the BDO’s championship. No longer does cigarette smoke hug the ceiling like a permanent mushroom cloud, as it did during the 1980s when Bristow, John Lowe and Jocky Wilson flighted into the mainstream, but it remains an iconic British sporting venue.

To some, however, it is a timepiece, the sporting equivalent of a Charles and Diana 1982 commemorative mug or a scratched CD of Now That’s What I Call Music 13. Undeniably its atmosphere reeks of a different era. If watching the PDC at Alexandra Palace, with its pounding beats and terrace chants , is the sporting distillation of a Saturday night out, then Lakeside, with its respectful slurps and murmurs, is like going to a village pub. But that is no bad thing. It is also endearing that the favourite for this year’s BDO world championship, Alan “Chuck” Norris – who appears to weigh somewhere north of 20 stone – has made allusions to training like Rocky with a straight face. As he told the Western Gazette : “I’m not having Christmas at home and am doing a bit of a Rocky Balboa by disappearing into the woods.

I’ll be spending 8-10 hours a day on the board to try and get the job done.” Meanwhile in a biting irony, the two-times BDO world champion Ted “The Count” Hankey – who used to arrive on stage dressed as Dracula before chucking plastic bats into the crowd – failed to qualify for this year’s event after skipping the Romanian Open and being overtaken in the rankings. However, to the BDO and BBC’s credit, women’s darts is shown on mainstream TV. Notably, the world champion, Lisa Ashton, had a three-dart average of 81.72 against the world No1, Deta Hedman, on Saturday, better than several players in the men’s tournament. Not so long ago, the BDO wasn’t that much weaker: in the 2007 championship the top six seeds were Van Gerwen, Adams, Gary Anderson, Jelle Klaasen, Mervyn King and Simon Whitlock – all but Adams have since made a mark in the PDC.

And while Phil Taylor is undisputedly the greatest player ever, he didn’t have much to beat in the PDC from the late-90s to the mid-2000s. But the BDO has slipped – and significantly. Nowadays it is mostly an unwilling feeder to the PDC: most of its biggest stars, including the 2014 champion, Stephen Bunting, jump ship given the chance. And yet there remains a twisted logic to having two world championships. For many players the BDO provides the first rungs on the darting ladder, while the BBC gives the sport a broader audience. And the PDC offers the opportunity for players to make decent money. How decent? According to the PDC’s order of merit, 25 players earned more than £100,000 in the past two years. Whatever you think of darts as a sport, it is undeniable that what was merely a pub pastime has become a serious earning opportunity. Phil Taylor's Stoke-on-Trent: Darts capital no longer on full Power? - BBC Sport Phil Taylor's Stoke-on-Trent: Darts capital no longer on full Power? 30 Jul 2015 Read more about sharing.

Phil Taylor won the first of his 16 world titles in 1990 When Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis reclaimed England's World Cup crown in Germany in June, there would have been few who denied that Stoke-on-Trent, their home city, was the centre of the darting world. But that was before 54-year-old Taylor's 17-14 defeat by James Wade at the World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. In a tournament eventually won by the Professional Darts Corporation's world number one Michael van Gerwen, it was the first time that Taylor, the 16-times world champion, had been defeated in Blackpool since 2007. For the first time since 1994, "The Power" does not hold any of darts' holy trinity of titles - World Championship, World Matchplay or Premier League. Lewis, world champion in 2011 and 2012, has dropped to number five in the PDC's Order of Merit - his lowest position for a number of years. And, while Taylor himself will claim that he is still at the top of the game, his record in recent major tournaments might suggest otherwise.

BBC Radio Stoke's Kick Off reporter Jack Taylor, from Taylor's home city of Stoke-on-Trent, looks for a few pointers on what will happen next... How it all began "The Crafty Cockney" Eric Bristow dominated darts during the 1980s, winning five world titles It is 25 years since Phil Taylor shook the world by defeating five-times world champion Eric Bristow, then the world number one, to become the 1990 World Darts Champion. Bristow's impact on Taylor's career should not be underestimated - he discovered Taylor on the Stoke pub scene in the 1980s and offered guidance to his young protégé. The manner of Taylor's victory, a 6-1 demolition, surprised many outside observers. Yet now, a quarter of a century on, many would not blink an eye at such a result. Taylor has since taken his collection of world titles to 16, supplemented by 15 World Matchplay crowns and six of the 11 Premier League titles which have been up for grabs, plus countless other ranking titles. The inspiration of a generation Phil Taylor's achievements have inspired a generation of players from the Potteries.

Between 1994 and 2015, a Stoke-on-Trent player managed to reach the final of the PDC World Championship on all but two occasions. Taylor's darting dominance Phil Taylor won the first two of his 16 world titles as the British Darts Organisation champion in 1990 and 1992. He was then one of the founding members of the Professional Darts Corporation, which was formed following a breakaway involving several top players in 1993. His other 14 world titles under the PDC's banner, starting with an eight-year unbeaten run between 1995 and 2002. Adrian Lewis, 30, has won two world titles, defeating fellow Stoke thrower Andy Hamilton in the 2012 final at the Alexandra Palace. "I think it's a bit of a fluke that so many players from Stoke have been so successful," PDC director Rod Harrington told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I don't believe that there will be an area that will produce the top quality darts that Stoke has." Three years on from his second world title victory, Lewis has dropped to number five in the world, while Hamilton currently resides outside the world's top 16. With Taylor approaching the end of his career and other Stoke talent struggling a little too, is the state of darts in the city a cause of concern? Adrian Lewis (l) beat Andy Hamilton in an all-Potteries World Championship final in 2012 Stoke's new White knight Phil Taylor himself believes that Stoke-on-Trent will remain at the top of the game, thanks to the efforts of world number nine Ian White. White, 44, is one of the game's late developers, having reached the PDC World Championship quarter-final in 2014, before producing an encouraging display to reach the last eight of this year's World Matchplay. "He's dangerous, and will go onto win many tournaments," said Taylor. "He's the best player I practice with and will become a big star in the game." So what does the future hold?

Phil Taylor (l) lost 7-6 to Gary Anderson in a thrilling World Championship final in January Players in the PDC now compete in tournaments across the globe, inspiring new players on their travels. However, within Stoke-on-Trent, the game remains as popular as ever. The achievements of Taylor, now ranked third in the world, have inspired young people in the city for a generation. Even now, as his career appears to be slowly coming to an end, his legacy lives on in the city. With players such as Ian White and Adrian Lewis in the world's top 10, and with many more youngsters continuing to compete at development tour level, Stoke's darts future seems positive. Despite the game becoming increasingly global, Stoke's pub scene remains as strong as ever, with a number of young players continuing to come through the ranks. One of those young players is Jamie Landon, who alongside fellow Stoke thrower Callum Matthews, will this year take their places in Sky's "The Darts Factor" - a reality television programme aimed at finding some of the sport's future stars. Landon said: "There are a number of local darts players who will come through in the near future.

We just need the backing and the break." Taylor's darts legacy in the Potteries Stoke-on-Trent's impact on the sport will not be forgotten, and its darting heritage was recently used in the Potteries' successful bid to become the European City of Sport for 2016. "The game is in good hands," says former darts commentator and BBC Radio Lancashire stalwart John Gwynne. "Taylor's legacy won't be forgotten. "The likes of Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson will continue to raise their game to the next level thanks to Taylor's pioneering effect." Share this page Eric Bristow (Champion) - Pics, Videos, Dating, & News Eric Bristow Male Born Apr 25, 1957 Eric Bristow MBE (born 25 April 1957) is an English darts player, whose skill at the game in the 1980s helped turn it into a worldwide spectator sport. He is a five time BDO world champion.

related links Nadine Dorries And Eric Bristow Went An Extra Mile For Me Bucks Free Press - Dec 17, 2012 '\n Well I made it safely back from Western Australia, and three days later opened in panto in Bournemouth with a bout of merry seasonal lurgi and promptly lost my voice.\n' I'm A Celebrity 2012: Eric Bristow Reveals He Placed Bet On Himself To Reach The Final Daily Mail (UK) - Nov 28, 2012 'The controversial I\'m A Celebrity ...

Get Me Out Of Here contestant revealed to his fellow camp mates that he has places a Â£20,000 bet on himself to make the final six of the competition.' I'm A Celebrity 2012: Colin Baker And Eric Bristow To Go Head To Head In I'm A Celeb Bushtucker Trial To See Who Leaves The Camp Daily Mail (UK) - Nov 25, 2012 'It\'s been a series of twists and turns, but the latest development will certainly keep all the I\'m A Celeb campmates on their toes.' Daily Mail (UK) - Nov 24, 2012 'She\'s not had the easiest of times in the I\'m A Celeb jungle.' Learn about the memorable moments in the evolution of Eric Bristow. CHILDHOOD 1957 Birth Born on April 25, 1957. TEENAGE 1976 19 Years Old 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, California.

… Read More 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. Eric was also educated in the grammar school tradition having passed his eleven plus exam during the late 1960s.<br /><br /> Bristow emerged as the most successful and consistent darts player of the 1980s, reigning as number one in the world rankings from 1980 until 1987. Read Less TWENTIES Show Less 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. … Read More 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 self 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. Read Less From 1978 to 1987, Bristow was in a relationship with former darts player Maureen Flowers. 1980 23 Years Old 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. … Read More 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.

Read Less 1982 25 Years Old During the 1982 Arrows Chemicals British International Championship match in Scotland, Bristow was subject to what Darts World Magazine called "the most sustained barrage of jeering witnessed at a Darts match". … Read More He played to the crowd during his game with Harry Patterson; following a Treble 20, he turned to the crowd (more booing..) next dart, Treble 20, he turned to the crowd (even more booing, shouting..) third dart was single 20 but he smiled and the crowd applauded.<br /><br /> As well as his world championship exploits, Bristow also lifted the prestigious Winmau World Masters crown no fewer than five times (1977 beating Paul Reynolds, 1979 beating Canadian Allan Hogg, 1981 beating defending champion John Lowe, 1983 beating Mike Gregory and 1984 beating Keith Deller). He also reached the final in 1989, losing to Peter Evison.

Read Less 1983 26 Years Old He 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 together with countless other major tournaments including the British Open and Swedish Open three times each and the North American Open on four occasions. 1986 29 Years Old During the Swedish Open in November 1986, he found himself unable to let go of his darts properly - a psychological condition known as dartitis, a bit like the yips in golf. THIRTIES 1987 30 Years Old It seems, looking back at footage of his career, that it was gradually building up - the fluent throwing action had slowed in the previous year and he certainly struggled in April 1987 in the Nations Cup where he was particularly ragged for England.

1989 32 Years Old In 1989, he married Jane Bristow (born 1962). … Read More Bristow has two children from his marriage to Jane - daughter Louise (born 1991) and son James (born 1993). Read Less 1990 33 Years Old He was never the same player again but did regain the number one ranking briefly in 1990. … Read More Bristow had come across a raw darts talent in Stoke-on-Trent in the late 1980s and sponsored him with about Â£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.<br /><br /> 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 - saw Bristow become a founding member of the Professional Darts Corporation. At the World Matchplay event in Blackpool, Bristow made six appearances and never managed to win a single match. Read Less FORTIES 1997 40 Years Old His swansong came in a classic semi-final at the 1997 PDC World Championship which he lost, ironically, to his protÃ©gÃ© Taylor. 2000 43 Years Old 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. … Read More He now works mainly as a pundit and occasional commentator for Sky Sports during PDC tournaments, whilst 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 in the opening match 7-5.

No longer the great player he once was, Bristow failed to maintain his form, and didn't win another match in the tournament, failing to qualify for the semi-finals and finishing bottom of the League of Legends table. Read Less 2004 47 Years Old In 2004, Bristow played John Lowe, with Bristow showing glimpses of his old form, as he won that match by 6 legs to 1. … Read More In 2009, Bristow, John Lowe and Bobby George participated in a theatre tour of the UK and Ireland, hosted and presented by comedian Duncan Norvelle.<br /><br /> 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, often but falsely attributed to the English upper class - "me perked-up right pinkie" he called it.<br /><br /> 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 by Chris Ashley live on Trent Sport radio, recorded on a short profile film called "Arrows" made by John Sampson in 1979 while following Eric Bristow touring Britain's clubs and pubs, Eric Bristow stated live on the radio interview, "that is not a gimmick, that is the way I first started playing darts and lot of people said 'is that a gimmick?', it's not." Read Less Show Less In 2005, Bristow was accused of assaulting his wife. … Read More North Staffordshire magistrates ordered him to stay away from the family home in Milltown Way, Leek, Staffordshire and he was remanded on conditional bail.

Read Less Bristow was alleged to have punched her in the face during a drunken row in their bedroom on 29 April 2005. … Read More He was eventually cleared of the charges. 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.<br /><br /> Bristow was also involved in a public disturbance in Hanley, which was by chance recorded by police reality show Street Crime UK, and then broadcast as part of an episode of the show.<br /><br /> Bristow lives now with his partner Rebecca 'Bex' Gadd (born 7 August 1978), from Addlestone,Surrey.<br /><br /> Bristow has son, James Bristow and a daughter, Louise Bristow plus 2 grandsons. Away from darts, Eric enjoys football and is a supporter of Chelsea FC.<br /><br /> Bristow also enjoys drinking Guinness as can be shown on his Twitter page.<br /><br /> Bristow was awarded the MBE for his services to sport in 1989.

He appeared in an episode of Never The Twain 'Definitely Not Cricket' in 1986. Read Less FIFTIES Phil Taylor's sweet 16: how he powered to his world title triumphs | Sport | The Guardian Phil Taylor's sweet 16: how he powered to his world title triumphs The Burslem-born magician first became world champion in 1990 and has been almost untouchable ever since Phil 'The Power' Taylor's 16 world championship victories have included four whitewashes in finals.

Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images Phil Taylor's sweet 16: how he powered to his world title triumphs The Burslem-born magician first became world champion in 1990 and has been almost untouchable ever since Brooke Streatfield and John McDougall Wednesday 2 January 2013 20.29 EST First published on Wednesday 2 January 2013 20.29 EST No1: Beat Eric Bristow 6-1 , 13 Jan 1990 It all began for Burslem-born Taylor as he claimed his maiden world title with a 6-1 win over his mentor Eric Bristow at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, Surrey. The 125-1 unseeded player overcame the Australian Russell Stuart and Englishman Dennis Hickling in the early rounds before beating the Scotsman Ronnie Sharp 4-2 in the quarter-final. 'The Power' then thrashed Cliff Lazarenko 5-0 in the semis before taking on the five-time winner and No1 seed, Bristow.

'The Crafty Cockney' was destroyed 6-1 by his protégé and a new legend in the world of darts was born. No2: Beat Mike Gregory 6-5 , 11 Jan 1992 Taylor won his second world darts title at the Lakeside Country Club by beating Mike Gregory 6-5. It was to be Taylor's last World Darts Championship win before a dispute in 1994 led to the formation of the WDC, later the PDC Championship, rivalling the British Darts Organisation's version. Taylor overcame Sweden's Magnus Caris and Denmark's Per Skau in the first and second rounds respectively, before thrashing Wales' Martin Phillips 4-0 in the quarter-final. A close 5-4 victory over John Lowe in the semi-final was followed by a tight final win over Gregory, one Taylor has described as among the favourites of his career.

No3: Beat Rod Harrington 6-2, 2 Jan 1995 Having been thrashed 6-1 by Dennis Priestley in the inaugural PDC final the previous year, Taylor's third world crown came after he dispatched Rod Harrington, in the now Sky pundit's only final appearance. Taylor beat Gerald Verrier and Sean Downs in the group stages and Bob Anderson in the quarter-final but it was an epic semi-final against Lowe where Taylor scraped through to win 5-4 that darts fans will most remember from this tournament. No4: Beat Dennis Priestley 6-4, 2 Jan 1996 'The Power' gained revenge over Priestley for his 1994 defeat by beating 'The Menace' 6-4 at the Circus Tavern. Drawn in group eight, Taylor beat his fellow Englishmen Shayne Burgess and Lazarenko 3-0 to gain passage to the quarter-finals. He faced the group seven winner, Keith Deller, defeating 'The Feller' 4-0 before beating Lowe in another semi-final, 5-1.

The finalists had lost only three sets between them in getting there, setting up a tantalising encounter in which Taylor eventually came through. No5: Beat Dennis Priestley 6-3, 5 Jan 1997 The Circus Tavern was again the venue as Taylor clinched the title 6-3. He beat Verrier and Chris Mason in the group stages and Deller in the quarter-finals but the most memorable match of the competition was his semi-final against Bristow that was branded the battle of The Mentor v the Protégé. Taylor emerged the winner beating Bristow 5-4, equalling the Crafty Cockney's tally of world championship triumphs. No6: Beat Dennis Priestley 6-0 , 4 Jan 1998 The Power became the most successful player in world championship history after defeating Priestley for a third time in consecutive years to record his fourth title in a row. Taylor took over from Bristow, who won five titles during the 1980s. The match was one of Taylor's most convincing wins to date with Priestley unable to take a single set off the champion.

During the tournament Harrington was the only player to take any sets from Taylor, in their semi-final. No7: Beat Peter Manley 6-2, 3 Jan 1999 Taylor's seventh and final world title of the nineties saw the beginning of his trio of final defeats of Manley, defeating 'One Dart' 6-2. As usual Taylor won his first-round tie comprehensively with a 3-0 victory over Reg Harding, but dropped a set in his 3-1 second-round victory over Chesterfield's Lowe. The Power returned to being flawless with a 4-0 victory over Anderson in the quarter-final, before facing a sterner test in his 5-3 semi-final win over the former world No1 Alan Warriner-Little. Taylor made it five world titles in a row with his final victory over Manley. No8: Beat Dennis Priestley 7-3, 8 Jan 2000 With the World Darts Championships being the earliest sporting event in the calendar, Taylor was labelled the "First World Champion of the new Millennium" after winning his eighth PDC title.

Taylor continued to show what a dominant force he was in the world of darts by retaining his title although many reports labelled Priestley unlucky after his fourth final defeat by Taylor in five years. The Power had endured a tough first-round match with Mick Manning, where he struggled to a 3-2 win, but after that early scare he did not lose another set en route to the final, beating Graeme Stoddart, Warriner-Little and Dennis Smith. No9: Beat John Part 7-0 , 3 Jan 2001 Taylor's seventh title in succession was among his most dominant victories as he dropped only one set in the entire tournament and thrashed Part 7-0 in the final at the Circus Tavern. The Power won all three sets in his first-round encounter with Nigel Justice, before dropping his only set of the championship in his 3-1 second-round win over Les Fitton. Taylor then comprehensively defeated Deller in the quarter-final and Dave Askew in the semis. The Canadian Part – who won only three legs in the final – was simply no match for The Power.

No10: Beat Peter Manley 7-0, 5 Jan 2002 Another year, another whitewash in the final, this time over Manley. Taylor beat Paul Williams, Burgess, Part and Askew in his quest for his 10th title, this time dropping two sets during the tournament. Manley had a much harder time getting to the final, dropping at least two sets in every round and having to battle through the semi-final. Manley was booed for years by darts fans after refusing to shake Taylor's hand after the final, later claiming he had urgently had to run to the bathroom. No11: Beat Kevin Painter 7-6 , 4 Jan 2004 Taylor survived a sudden-death leg against Painter to triumph at the Circus Tavern. The No1 seed had beaten Colin McGarry, Priestley, Warriner-Little and Wayne Mardle to reach the final. In a classic showpiece Taylor was 4-1 down after five sets as Painter pressed his advantage. He fought back, though, to reduce the deficit to a set, eventually going 6-5 ahead.

Painter drew the scores level to take the final to sudden death but The Power won an unbelievably tense encounter with a double five. He announced his retirement from darts but performed a U-turn four days later. No12 Beat Mark Dudbridge 7-4 , 3 Jan 2005 Changing his mind over retirement proved the right decision as Taylor won the title again the following year. He had to come from behind twice to win as Dudbridge led by 2-1 and then 3-2. Taylor had enjoyed another easy path to the final, losing only one set, his first in the quarter-finals against the man he had beaten in the final the previous year, Painter. No13: Beat Peter Manley 7-0 , 3 Jan 2006 Manley suffered another whitewash at Taylor's hands as the champion secured his 13th World Darts Championship title. Taylor was imperious once more, losing only two sets on the way to the semis. He breezed past David Platt in the first round, before dropping a set in his 4-1 victory over Matt Clark.

A 4-0 triumph in the third round over Andy Hamilton was followed by a 5-1 quarter-final drubbing of Painter. The semi-final proved more difficult as Taylor struggled past Mardle 6-5, leaving Manley confident it would have left his final opponent mentally spent. But it did not prove the case. No14: Beat Raymond van Barneveld 7-1 , 4 Jan 2009 After a three-year gap Taylor regained his form, crushing the Dutchman in the final at Alexandra Palace. He set a world record average for a tournament final of 110.94, underlining his status as world No1, and was never really troubled throughout the competition. No15: Beat Simon Whitlock 7-3 , 3 Jan 2010 Taylor was at his best throughout the 2010 World Darts Championship, losing one set to Scotland's Robert Thornton in the third round on his way to meeting Whitlock. This championship prize was the biggest of Taylor's career to date with a fund of £1m.

No16: Beat Michael van Gerwen 7-4 , 1 Jan 2013 Having gone out in the second round in 2012, the first time in his career Taylor had not reached the quarter-finals of the worlds, others were being touted ahead of him for the title. Taylor, however, breezed through the early rounds, losing only one set as he closed on a semi-final against Van Barneveld. Taylor led 5-1 and fought off a Van Barneveld fightback to win 6-4, before having a memorable spat with the Dutchman for which he later apologised. In the final he came back from 4-2 down – despite suffering from a cold – to defeat Van Barneveld's fellow Dutchman, the 23-year-old Van Gerwen, who had triumphed in their two previous meetings, in the final at Alexandra Palace.

Question: Who was the World Darts Champion five times in the 1980's?
Answer: ERIC BRISTOW