Van der Voort pays tribute to Bristow: ‘Without him the sport of darts would have looked different’
NewsSaturday, 07 April 2018 at 09:00
The news that Eric Bristow passed away Thursday night came totally unexpected, also for Vincent van der Voort. 'The Dutch Destroyer' reacted with disbelief after the announcement was officially made.
"It is still a bit unreal", Van der Voort acknowledges a day later in conversation with Dartsnews.com. He was not sick, that made the shock a bigger one. Everyone knows Bristow, he was a celebrity in the sport of darts. He made darts very popular in the 1980s. He was very outspoken, a real character. Everyone wanted to see Bristow, together with Bobby George he brought life into the sport. "
"In principle you can compare it with what Johan Cruijff did for Dutch football. First, darts was just throwing a few arrows at the board, he made a show of it. Because of his character Eric made darts more interesting for everyone. "
The 42-year-old Dutchman himself also keeps some nice memories of the 60-year-old darts legend. Van der Voort played Bristow once at a darts tournament, but played regularly at exhibition tournaments with him. When the Londoner took part in a popular TV program in the United Kingdom, 'Fast Vinnie' was glued to the TV.
"I always liked him, I thought his character was beautiful. In the past he also participated in the program 'I'm a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here' in England. I did not follow that program, but when he joined it I watched it every time. He is a beautiful guy, always says what he thinks. He was right in front of him and I can. "
"I used to play against him once. It must have been in the nineties, when he suffered a lot from dartitis. After that I experienced many remarkable things with him. I played exhibitions with him, I often had a laugh with him. "
On social media there are already many voices to mention a tournament or gala to Bristow. The cup of the PDC World Championship is named after former commentator Sid Waddell. After the farewell of Phil Taylor it was announced that the trophy from the World Matchplay was named after 'The Power'.
Van der Voort agrees with the proposal to also name something about 'The Crafty Cockney'. "I agree with that. Eric was the very first to put darts on the map. Without him the sport of darts would have looked different. I think he should get something, so he stays in memory forever. He is too big to not do anything with it. "
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/981997053470564352
"In principle you can compare it with what Johan Cruijff did for Dutch football. First, darts was just throwing a few arrows at the board, he made a show of it. Because of his character Eric made darts more interesting for everyone. "
The 42-year-old Dutchman himself also keeps some nice memories of the 60-year-old darts legend. Van der Voort played Bristow once at a darts tournament, but played regularly at exhibition tournaments with him. When the Londoner took part in a popular TV program in the United Kingdom, 'Fast Vinnie' was glued to the TV.
"I always liked him, I thought his character was beautiful. In the past he also participated in the program 'I'm a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here' in England. I did not follow that program, but when he joined it I watched it every time. He is a beautiful guy, always says what he thinks. He was right in front of him and I can. "
"I used to play against him once. It must have been in the nineties, when he suffered a lot from dartitis. After that I experienced many remarkable things with him. I played exhibitions with him, I often had a laugh with him. "
On social media there are already many voices to mention a tournament or gala to Bristow. The cup of the PDC World Championship is named after former commentator Sid Waddell. After the farewell of Phil Taylor it was announced that the trophy from the World Matchplay was named after 'The Power'.
Van der Voort agrees with the proposal to also name something about 'The Crafty Cockney'. "I agree with that. Eric was the very first to put darts on the map. Without him the sport of darts would have looked different. I think he should get something, so he stays in memory forever. He is too big to not do anything with it. "
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/981997053470564352
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- I dont like individuals or crowds trying to put any player off when they are trying to check out, how anyone can think its okay for the crowd to whistle or shout as someone is throwing for a double is beyond me but it does seem to have become part and parcel of the modern game. I no longer play now, darts is as good as dead at a local level round my way but when i did play many years ago, no matter how intense the rivalry you never shouted out or whistled when an opponent from the other team was throwing for a double.Mysstree17-11-2024
- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.
UndartedWaters16-11-2024 - So, you don't like Littler, then? I was cheering him on, being a fellow Englishman. Honestly, some of us get far too offended nowadays. If you want to see crowd passion... watch a match when German and Dutch players face off... that can be just as bad if not worse for crowd noises. It happens, I have watched and heard Littler being jeered - Dirk van Duijvenbode in Holland, January this year. Where was your outrage then? Yes, I can clearly see what is going on here.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- It happens. Remember, anyone who has watched German and Dutch players in matches - their respective countries will have seen/heard just as bad jeering (if not worse). Taylor and MVG are two prime examples of professionals who are able to cope with the crowds mentally and not take it personally. This is not just an English crowd problem, FFS.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- Was watching an old World Masters final the other day between Eric Bristow and John Lowe, the crowd respect for both players on throw was first class, not a sound. You can imagine now the idiots who were whistling on De Deckers throw proudly boasting about it on social media. I blame the PDC to a certain extent though doubt they really care as they win regardless of which player wins or loses.Mysstree16-11-2024