R.I.P. Eric Bristow MBE

Today brings the sad news that Eric Bristow MBE has passed away suddenly at the age of 60.  Five-time World Champion, five-time World Master, and four-time North American Open Champion, Bristow suffered a massive heart attack while attending tonight’s PDC Premier League in Liverpool.

From Stoke Newington, London, Eric Bristow was one of the first superstars of the game, and really came to prominence when winning the 1977 World Masters at the tender age of 20.  From there, Bristow became the dominant force in darts for over a decade.  He was awarded the MBE in 1989 for his services to sport.

On a personal note, Eric Bristow was more than just another dart player to me, he was a good friend; a friend for over 40 years.  Outside of my father, who was also one of the world’s top players in the 1970’s, I must say that Eric was a big, big influence on me.  Often controversial – unashamedly so – there was another very different side to Eric, a side that very few saw.  He was a big-hearted and very generous individual, and the kind of friend that anybody would welcome.

The world of darts, and indeed the world as a whole, will be a poorer place without “Brissy”…

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