RIP Eric Bristow.

[For Us All]

The five time World Darts Champion Eric Bristow sadly passed away tonight after appearing in an exhibition match in Liverpool.

He suffered a heart attack,Eric was sixty years old.

RIP Eric.

[newchapel valiant]

RIP Eric

He was a top bloke , condolences to his family.

[PVFC764]

RIP Eric.

[SourceOfTheTrent]

It's a shock alright, especially as he'd lived such a healthy life. It'll be a hell of a wake with a monster bar bill!

RIP Eric, love him or loathe him he was the player who really changed darts and started it on the journey to becoming the great event it is today.

[The Kalamazoo Kid]

Terrible news. A big shock that 2 top British sportsmen have passed away in consecutive days, after Ray Wilkins yesterday - both far too prematurely, only being in their very early 60s.

 

Did Eric still live around here? (used to live Endon\Leek way.)

 

RIP to an absolute darting legend.

[JohnJames]

 

Did Eric still live around here? (used to live Endon\Leek way.)

 

 

Stockton Brook with Maureen Flowers the women’s dart player. They had a club TheCrafty Cockney at the top of Moorlands Rd.

I think he was Phil Taylor’s mentor at one time

[bookworm]

RIP eric.

[Yukon]

I met him once, he was a really nice bloke, we had a chat about the Vale. Sad times

[old sage]

Eric was the Cassius Clay of darts. Just as Cassius did for boxing it was mainly down to him that darts became the major sport that it has become. He was brash and arrogant and people would tune in and watch hoping to see him lose or hear what he would say after the match but off the TV he was a good bloke I'm told and it was him who supported Phil Taylor when he started up professionally. RIP 'Crafty Cockney' the game of darts owes you an awful lot.

[Bycarsbill]

He and Phil Taylor are to this day, still the two biggest names in the dart's world. Love him or loathe him, Eric Bristow was a larger than life character and was massively instrumental in building the popularity of darts on our TV screens. RIP Eric.

[vale@rocks]

Spent some time at the Swan in leek few beers and a chat with Eric. Top man. Yet another reminder of our own mortality. RIP to a an inspirational and gifted darts player will be missed.

[RailwayRowdy]

As has been mentioned in other posts, Bristow (and latterly his rivalry with John Lowe) really did change darts from a pub game to a TV event. His influence cannot be underestimated. Incidentally, is it just me or is John Lowe the spitting image of Peggy Mount ? Apologies to anyone under the age of 60 !

[For Us All]

Terrible news. A big shock that 2 top British sportsmen have passed away in consecutive days, after Ray Wilkins yesterday - both far too prematurely, only being in their very early 60s.

 

Did Eric still live around here? (used to live Endon\Leek way.)

 

RIP to an absolute darting legend.

 

He lived in Leek with his wife Beckie and two kids.Eric sponsored Leek Town games and was very popular in the local pubs where he was a regular.

I was at the bar in the Engine Room a couple of years ago,Eric saw me in my Vale hat and we started talking football,he was Chelsea fan.

Really nice bloke to talk to and if he saw you again he would always acknowledge you.

RIP Eric.#legend

[Conrad]

He once served me in the crafty cockney pub, also seen him in the Bycars. Would have won more world titles had it not been for dartitus, RIP big man.

[CambridgeDon]

Sad news. Great bloke, Eric - real working class hero who brought so much enjoyment to so many people. Loved watching him play, so much charisma. One of the best, he'll be missed. Condolences to his family. RIP.