NI darts star Daryl Gurney's tribute to Eric Bristow

Northern Ireland darts star Daryl Gurney has paid tribute to five-time world champion Eric Bristow, who has died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Apr 2018, 09:00 BST
Five-time world darts champion Eric Bristow has died at the age of 60.Five-time world darts champion Eric Bristow has died at the age of 60.
Five-time world darts champion Eric Bristow has died at the age of 60.

The Professional Darts Corporation announced the death of the ‘Crafty Cockney’ during Thursday night’s Premier League fixture in Liverpool.

Bristow had been attending a corporate function at the venue before suddenly taking ill and collapsing.

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The players on stage when Bristow’s death was announced – Londonderry man Gurney and Peter Wright– both broke down in tears.

Immediately after the news broke, fans at the Echo Arena burst into a rendition of “There’s only one Eric Bristow” as commentator Rod Studd stopped speaking. He later called Bristow “the biggest star darts has ever had”.

Gurney, who became a father for the first time on Thursday, later tweeted: “Was hard to play tonight for many reasons. Thanks to the crowd in Liverpool this will live long in the memory for Good and Bad reasons RIP @ericbristow the biggest name in our sport.”

One of darts’ first superstar players, Bristow won his five titles as a player in the British Darts Organisation, dominating the sport between 1980 and 1986.

Bristow continued to be a key personality within the sport even after his talents waned.

Related topics:LiverpoolPremier League