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BBC: Jocky Wilson: Remembering the 'Braveheart of darts'

… That 1989 [World Darts Championship] final victory was the culmination of a rivalry that spanned a decade, as Bristow and Wilson chalked up seven world titles between them.

For sports fans of the era, the two men are synonymous with one another.

No, Eric Bristow and Jocky Wilson were not synonymous with one another. Ignoring the tautology—actually, no, let's not: the word synonymous implies with each other—if Eric Bristow really were synonymous with Jocky Wilson, it would mean that they were the same person. One man playing against himself in a World Darts final might make a good Monty Python sketch, but I can't help feeling that the regular punters would be a tad frustrated. What the BBC commentator is trying to say is that the names of Eric Bristow and Jocky Wilson will forever be associated with each other.

All of which pedantry is simply a pathetic excuse for me to show off my own darts trophy. Me and my partner, Bull-Buggering Dave Beaumont, were Grey College (Durham) Doubles Winners, 1984–85, don't you know?

Trophy
So, finally my nickname is out.

And to think you lot didn't think I looked particularly athletic.

Richard Carter

A fat, bearded chap with a Charles Darwin fixation.

8 comments

  1. Thanks for the reminder of the BBC's use of Jocky's picture when Dexy's were on TOTP; it still delights me!

  2. I did not know that. I trust TOTP were joking! One of those rare examples where a cover version gives the original a run for its money (Van the Man, in this case).

  3. You're rightly proud of your trophy.........but that has to be one of the most hideous things I've ever seen!

  4. Does anyone remember the 'Not the nine o'clock news' comedy sketch based on the Embassy world darts final between Dai Fatbelly Gutbucket & Tommy Evenfatterbelly Belcher?
    Double vodka....single pint....another double vodka....100mg!

    Classic stuff.

  5. I can remember when a Brewmaster & bitter was 1s10d in The New Inn in Christchurch.
    Strangely enough i can't remember when Rowan Atkinson was funny!

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