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Eric Bristow: The Autobiography: The Crafty Cockney
Eric Bristow MBE (1957-2018) might just have been the greatest darts player of all time.An unmistakable figure on the oche during his 1980s heyday, 'the Cheeky Cockney' became renowned not just for the number of world titles he won but for his arrogance on stage and off it.In this candid account, Bristow reveals how darts saved him from his early life as a cat burglar, shoplifter and thug - and introduced him to a new world of beer, babes and success beyond his wildest dreams. In his rapid rise to the top, he gives fascinating insights into the characters that pioneered darts in those early days and how, when his own career began to slide at the end of the decade, he trained his protégé Phil 'The Power' Taylor, turning him into the most successful player darts has ever known.Bristow holds nothing back as he reveals his battle with dartitis, a psychological condition which left him unable to let go of the dart and almost destroyed his career; his relationship with girlfriend and former women's world darts champion Maureen Flowers; and his occasional all-too-public falls from grace. Bristow's life story is a thrill-a-minute ride through the raucous world of darts and how it helped to shape and drive his life.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 28, 2014
As insanely British and ridiculous as I hoped. I didn't realise Bristow was so young when he got famous as I just assumed like most darts players he'd been born 48 years old. He also mixes up Not The Nine O Clock News with Alas Smith and Jones but thats more of a personal gripe.
November 25, 2020
What a fantastic read this was. What a bloody life the late great Eric Bristow has lead. Coming from the bottom,
Rising to the top of the world, only to crumble slightly. It’s as true an autobiography as you’ll come across from any sportsman. He doesn’t hold back. He speaks in truths and truths only within this book. The stories from his youth, in particular are really eye opening to the way of life and makes his career even more surprising.
His rose through darts from an 11-year old boy playing at home to the 5-time World Champion is astonishing. In an era of greats like Lowe, Bobby George, Jocky Wilson and more, Eric stood out from the rest and probably should’ve won even more than the five World Titles he did. The story of his struggle with dartitis is a harrowing one. For someone to come along and just take your ability away must’ve been soul destroying.
He ultimately never recovered and battled through the 90’s without a major title to boot. I do love the brute honesty throughout and the stories on the road, those are what really bring this book to life. Eric lived the life he wanted, the life he loved until his untimely death in 2018. I had the upmost pleasure of meeting the great man only the year earlier at an Exhibition. He was a pleasure to meet and watch play darts that evening. Forever the entertainer.
Rising to the top of the world, only to crumble slightly. It’s as true an autobiography as you’ll come across from any sportsman. He doesn’t hold back. He speaks in truths and truths only within this book. The stories from his youth, in particular are really eye opening to the way of life and makes his career even more surprising.
His rose through darts from an 11-year old boy playing at home to the 5-time World Champion is astonishing. In an era of greats like Lowe, Bobby George, Jocky Wilson and more, Eric stood out from the rest and probably should’ve won even more than the five World Titles he did. The story of his struggle with dartitis is a harrowing one. For someone to come along and just take your ability away must’ve been soul destroying.
He ultimately never recovered and battled through the 90’s without a major title to boot. I do love the brute honesty throughout and the stories on the road, those are what really bring this book to life. Eric lived the life he wanted, the life he loved until his untimely death in 2018. I had the upmost pleasure of meeting the great man only the year earlier at an Exhibition. He was a pleasure to meet and watch play darts that evening. Forever the entertainer.
July 28, 2022
What a brilliant book. Absolutely loved it.
June 17, 2024
Doesn’t hit a one hundred and eighty, more a solid one hundred.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews