Eric Bristow v Phil Taylor - 1997 PDC World Darts Championship

Eric Bristow was on one of his greatest runs in the PDC, clashing with Phil Taylor in the Semi-Final of the 1997 World Darts Championship

[@Bloxdio_God]

I was at this match. In many ways it was Bristow’s finest hour. There were grown men shedding tears at his entrance including myself it was the return of the Messiah. I loved Eric Bristow. The greatest mentality in British Sport. God rest his soul. An out and out winner.

[@johnpaulmcdonnell1188]

Eric had so many great moments throughout his career but that walk on has to be right up there. He was given an absolute heroes welcome, everybody desperate to shake his hand and give him a kiss! He'll always be the face of darts

[@edwells4769]

Face for boomers, who are thankfully all dying.

[@Bloxdio_God]

Yep. It was like the return of Christ. He’s the greatest. RIP.

[@markhughes4515]

I was one of about 10 people cheering Phil Taylor on in this match on this night. Eric played the best I'd seen him play. I wish this had been the final. RIP Eric, legend is an understatement

[@EnforcerX71]

Best in the PDC maybe, but Eric in the early-mid 80s was unplayable at times, I think it was the 1985 or 1986 World Championship where he only lost something like 2 sets the whole thing.

[@johan2141]

@@EnforcerX71 true story. The man was doing 100 averages on those boards in the 80s

[@heavyduty96]

Wonder how many matches the PDC have stored away like this one....great quality! Go on, upload more classic matches in this quality!

[@PianoDestroyer]

What a Great Match ! Rest in Peace Eric

[@ianjolly1973]

I played a exhibition game against Eric in Canada I still throw like him today. Great memories.

[@OneAndOnlyLC]

Shows you how much the standard has improved. Bristow reaching a semi final averaging 84. Average 84 nowadays, you’re out first round

[@TheTimeDetective42]

Yeah but u have to practice six hours a day now lol

[@neilpearson357]

The averages where pretty poor back then. We have people posting about the crowds of today but the sport had to be re sold to the public which has been a runaway success, which in turn brings in sponsorship leading to lots of cash and therefore a raise in the quality of play.

[@FanBoyStudio369]

If average poor, then the checkout capability should be helpful.

[@Wally-H]

@@TheTimeDetective42 Bristow used to practice for that long every day. I remember he once calculated he walked about seven miles to and from the board in a day's practice session.

[@darrenandrews678]

Taylor was doing 100 aves in 1990 on boards with round wires n staples

[@mitchellfagan7701]

No matter how many darts matches I watch I always end up coming back to this one, what a belter of a performance from both players R.I.P Eric 👍

[@nirvanapaulpaulunderhill]

Eric Bristows last stand, what a complete legend to run Phil Taylor so close RIP Eric Bristow a true legend 🎯🎯🎯.

[@christophermclaughlin4180]

Bristows was probably the best walk on I've ever seen in this match

[@martinskerritt121]

Eric Bristow made me watch darts-Gave me so much enjoyment.Watching him in the jungle showed what a lovely genuine chap he was.Can't believe i say his name in the past sense.RIP Eric-So shocking & sad.You made darts SIR.

[@bs8004]

Strange to see how quiet the crowd was back then, they really respected the players. Nowadays the crowd is just completely drunk

[@Daz555Daz]

They were just as drunk. Just told to shut up.

[@ayarlett]

@@Daz555Daz They were drunk but respectful. It was more about about trying to find where the ashtray was back then as they didn't want to lose where their cigs were at. Todays crowd have lost their minds.

[@niconexus4638]

the crowds now made this Sport so big. Peter Wright won't get 500000£ when they play in front of 150 people

[@Daz555Daz]

@@ayarlett they are noisy because the PDC wants it that way.

[@Ajs_1988]

That's what it's all about ... atmosphere

[@BadgerBotherer1]

Watching Eric - along with Lowe, Lazarenko, Wilson, Whitcombe, Deller, etc. - was what got me into darts as a 1980s schoolboy. Really sorry to hear he passed away. R.I.P., Brissy.

[@flyingvman1843]

That 141 to save the match from Bristow is one of the best checkouts under pressure I've ever seen., considering what Eric had been through over the years before with his dartitis.

[@Wally-H]

Frosty handshake at the end. Despite their friendship and Eric mentoring Phil in the early days, I think there was a personality clash between these two because they both had massive egos. Eric was jealous of Phil threatening his mantle of being the greatest player ever and it showed. Both were desperate not to lose this one. Classic match.

[@mattwatson9530]

Bristow's 141 checkout to stay in the match is a great moment.

[@EveHenleySpread]

This for me shows you why darts is just an incredible spectacle! All the subplots.. the master vs the apprentice. Bristow was way past his best but somehow raised his game a little to match Taylor almost shot for shot. Taylor on the other hand dropped his standard when facing his old mentor. In the early 80s everyone wanted Bristow to lose, here we are years later and the roles are reversed! I just love it, RIP Eric!

[@highjim7778]

This is a small look at how things couldve been had Bristow been in his pomp these days. He was PERFECT for the premier league. Can you imagine some of the matches!

[@jasonchadwick8528]

Eric one of the greatest walk on's i have ever seen....R.I.P LEGEND

[@franzlindleyerfe4392]

Suffering Heart Attack??

[@PanosDCC]

So many legends in a single video. Of course, we should also mention another legend who passed away very recently, Phil Jones the MC who was there from day 1 of the PDC. RIP to both, we owe them a lot...

[@neilpearson357]

Eric, Jocky, Sid, Dave Lanning

[@neilpearson357]

He ruined it for so many people that they decided to honour him by naming the world championship trophy after him. You're pretty much alone there Craig

[@markhughes6892]

Phil Jones was a brilliant choice by the PDC for Master of Ceremonies. What a character and a gentleman RIP. But we must also mention a man without whose vision this wouldn't have been possible, Tommy Cox

[@jamesshaw4272]

and sadly now john gwynne, the 3 original sky commentators@@neilpearson357

[@terra2805]

The mauling during the walkout would of annoyed the hell out of me. Lol. R.I.P. Eric. A true legend. You lead the way.

[@claycarpenter8625]

Great match!! Im from the States and it amazes me how big darts are over there. Wonderful spot

[@PTfan54]

Came here for footage of Young Phil Taylor. Was not disappointed.

[@Rai_S82]

Nice to see Bruce calling the match there. I miss him! And don't even get me started on Sid.... ❤

[@fifatyrex6737]

A match of legends. R.I.P Eric Bristow

[@darranhankey7013]

One of , If not my Favorite all time matches . RIP ERIC ,, Thanks 4 the memories , The Foundation to how big the game is now and being so bloody generous loaning 10k to A Record Breaking , History making 16 X Champ of The World ,,, God bless you Brissie! " Nobody does it Better "

[@peterramsden3134]

taylor did

[@andrewgibson10]

Bristow the best character darts has ever seen, what a legend.

[@matthewwright7831]

Wow! what a walk on for Eric. I'm sure we could all learn something on his approach to darts and life.

[@FreshPotatoes1116428]

39:43...✋ That made me smile with happiness. True sportsmanship indeed...🕴

[@5eurocups2005]

Eric should have been proud of that performance.

[@johnconn3054]

Those stats at 9:00 are quality. They really tell a story of the championship form before this game.

[@silentgiz]

I grew up watching the great Eric Bristow the guy was a master at darts and didn't really care win or lose... Such a legend r.i.p crafty cockney

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Bristow and Taylor have won 21 world titles between them. Legends!

[@kevinprior3549]

Blimey that was tough for the players to get to the stage

[@matthewseller3711]

Two greats of darts who we've sadly lost ( Bristow and Sid.) and Phil has retired. Great darts nostalgia here.

[@misfit2022]

Two best dart players of all time. This was Eric back to his best.

[@zxr-cade2026]

This is hands down the greatest semi final in darts 🎯 history the master against the apprentice who was on the brink of taking his crown It was tooth and nail all the way through and even tho Bristow showed just how great he still was in the end Phil Taylor proved once and for all that he was greater than Eric ever was in his prime and it was the very same year that Phil equaled Eric’s record of 5 world titles and then a year later he broke that record Without a doubt these 2 men are the greatest players ever to have graced the sport of darts 🎯 and it’s pretty safe to say that Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles is set in stone for life and you know what it wouldn’t surprise in the slightest if increased that record to at lest 20 world titles on his come back R.I.P to the crafty cockney

[@tgangstar]

Eric will always be king 👑

[@steverobertson1072]

rip eric, the man who brought darts to the masses.

[@catinthehat661]

That was absolutely legendary!

[@neilpearson357]

This was a real choker for the great Bristow, it would have been the fairy tale everyone wanted.

[@chrisw4051]

As much respect as I have for Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow will always be the man in my mind. Almost the perfect dart player

[@1man1bike1road]

averages say otherwise but he had a lot of bottle in his day and an ego big as a planet

[@DaveSmith-dr9vu]

Brissy struggling with his throw still produced the goods when needed and pushed taylor all the way...form comes an goes...class is forever. RIP Eric, #legendary

[@tubz356]

Yup, he was suffering with Dartitis

[@iwanjones9360]

I didn’t realise the trebles and doubles where so slim back then

[@Rai_S82]

Thicker wires...

[@tonestones9445]

The wires were thicker then and also had studs in at each end of the Treble, double, 25 and Bull beds making bounce outs more common than that of today. Modern dart boards have 'pressed in' metal to create the segments. The metal is a log thinner and therefore larger. We gave great players today of couse but I'm sure it's easier to score 180's etc

[@tomocfc1729]

Rest in peace eric absolute diamond geezer!

[@Delboy-hi1ld]

Whether you love em or hate em . Definitely both of the greatest players to throw a dart. Put darts on the map

[@Dont_stay_long_k077]

The best match ive ever seen,,,,, this is the Blackpool v Bolton fa cup, the Davis , taylor etc...... Eric played incredible and im sure was gutted to loose this than any of his yrs of pro darts

[@flash8854]

If it wasn’t for Eric Bristow, there’d be no Phil Taylor.

[@leewalker8805]

No shit!!!

[@WillyEckaslike]

@@leewalker8805 i believe Bristow sponsored Taylor so he could give up his job and concentrate on playing darts

[@billymabum3514]

He’s not his father 😂

[@harrymonk6]

Yeah thr would. His not his dad ffs

[@mattjnr5575]

When alexander the great was 33 he cried tears because there was nothing left to conquer, eric bristow is only 27!!! Legend sid waddell on the legend bristow

[@Rai_S82]

*salt tears

[@Dadaadad268]

Greatest entrance in darts history! Quite emotional 🥲

[@phillipnoetzel8846]

Love the high 5 from Taylor in respect to Bristow's 141.

[@Psalm11950]

Bristow was supposed to be finished but what great darts he produced. So near to another final for the legend

[@torstenscholz6243]

Yeah, really sad he lost - he should have made it to the final and won at least one PDC world championship title.

[@Richard0470]

This match & this tournament was special....because of Eric's resurgence to [almost] his best form. The big 141 checkout to stay alive in the 8th set had me on the edge of my seat at the time & still did watching again today! Taylor had to acknowledge that [put his hand up for a high 5] & I remember thinking...Taylor is genuinely shaken here & that Bristow would win, defeat Priestley in the final & go to 6 world titles....if the 76 checkout had been taken out in the 8th leg of the 9th set I think he would have done so. If you look at his face after missing double 8 he knew his chance to steal the game [as he had done so many times in the 1980s] was gone. 'Bristow was a burglar, Taylor's a mugger'...accurately recounted Sid Wadell. It's funny, we Brits seem to love sporting greats much more when they have stopped winning - Steve Davis & John McEnroe similarly - & unlike his 10 World finals when I tended to route for the opponent, in 1997 I found myself desperate for Bristow to get through. Maybe we just love a comeback....So good to see this match in HQ - the other videos on youtube are lesser quality - so thank you PDC.

[@Richard0470]

*were special

[@michaelmulhall5007]

Just imagine the battles they could had on sky like this if Eric didnt get dartitis. Taylor the superior player but eric with all his craft and stage presence and confidence would beat him alot more times than a dennis or part who were taylors only rivals for a good 12 year period

[@Richard0470]

It really is one of the all time 'what ifs'.....a real Borg/McEnroe situation could have ensued over 5-8 years. Mouthwatering prospect. But for the dartitis I actually believe Bristow would have ended up with more World Championships than Taylor at the end of their careers...possibly winning 5/6 more between 1988 & 1999 in addition to the 5 already won between 1980 & 1986, some of those at the expense of Taylor. For me he is the greater player for 2 reasons - firstly, all his titles came against all-comers, only 2 of Taylor's were made in those circumstances ['90 & '92] & secondly he reached 3 world finals ['89, '90 & '91] as well as regaining the World No.1 spot ['90] all with dartitis [it is there to varying degrees in each final, watch the footage & there is a delay in the throw]. Incredible really & a measure of a desire to not give up.

[@flappospammo]

eric played against the cream w/ boards w/ tight wires etc taylor as great as he is , got off easy in comparison bristow at his best was mind blowing

[@pompeyjim]

Sad to think that out of the mc, the referee, both players and all three commentators, only Phil Taylor is still with us. Where's the time gone?

[@Volvoman90]

Smoke filled Circus Tavern. Beautiful.

[@davidgammie1310]

From a Scotsman(Jocky fan)Eric was DARTS.After all these years of playing he was as good as Taylor there.RIP....

[@hsh7582]

What a legend Bristow was! RIP Eric

[@gar651527]

Eric's Ma looks the same age as Eric. Not sure if that's a compliment or not

[@thegreatryan007]

A good tense atmosphere, not like these days where it’s just a bunch of pissed up day trippers singing about yaya toure in their banana costumes.

[@MadBoy8734]

Amen!

[@neilpearson357]

From someone who evidently hasn't been to a live tournament!!!!

[@jamie7158]

This is far too accurate

[@thegreatryan007]

neil pearson I have plenty of times. Some venues are better than others but half the time I look around me and barely anyone is even paying attention to what’s happening on stage.

[@neilpearson357]

If its a BDO offering then I can fully understand. Did I hear Durrant saying he played in the BDO masters with 27 people in the crowd...peace and quiet for sure and playing for an M&S gift card. I'm off to Minehead next and its always fantastic IMO, really looking forward to Fallon Sherrock's appearance.

[@flappospammo]

that 141 was a classic , rip eric the great

[@michimai1221]

39:30 maybe on of the best checkouts under pressure in pdc history

[@georgeb3970]

When I mimic Bristow's dart holding I can't even find the board!

[@Rai_S82]

I always found his grip really uncomfortable to watch - his bendy thumb was really off-putting! 😂

[@grahamrodger372]

Bristow. Class Act.

[@bentattersfield7987]

What a match. The last stand of a legend. Old age wasn't kind to him

[@180newman6]

RIP Eric True Legend

[@long0811]

Wish the bristow v Anderson game would be on KZbin looks like a classic RIP Eric x

[@robcridland5457]

agreed - that was the best 'Bristow Returns' match that year....

[@liamwallman8084]

RIP Legend❤️

[@123macks]

RIP Eric 1 in a million

[@heavyduty96]

51:03 Also good to see Mardle there cheering them on

[@parksyist]

He probably lost in the other semi lol

[@FanBoyStudio369]

He looks so nerdy

[@neilpearson357]

He was BDO at this time.

[@chasb4515]

@@neilpearson357 it's a joke, they are making reference to the fact that wayne mardle lost a lot of major semi finals

[@DemonAsh40]

That’s not Wayne Mardle

[@marks_sparks1]

I saw this live. Eric held his throw under great pressure by Phil at various times but Sid Waddell called it right before the match. Eric was a poacher and would be looking for Phil to make a mistake and it never happened. Just one mistake by Eric cost him

[@Whom1337]

The most influential player in darts playing against the best player in darts. Quite a good stand off

[@Star-sg2py]

Bristow has the purest throw ever

[@StFidjnr]

crafty cockney may your darting legend never fade

[@stephenmcdowell9210]

Not a fair comment bristow was one of the best possible darts players in the world and still is mentioned by the great s his ability to come back and win is unrivalled s

[@heavyduty96]

39:46 The 2 camera men, guessing they had a bet between them on who would win lol

[@Timesend]

This is amazing to see, I was a couple of fingers old at this day.

[@DutchhiphopHiphop]

Rip Legend!

[@stephenweir.]

PDC Thanks for the post, love this match, Please could you post the old matchplay game of John Lowe vs Shane Burgess.

[@gordonbiggar1134]

RIP Eric you were a great player

[@nyrbsamoht]

20:58 - "well we've got wiggle in the flight - we've got wobblers on the stage!" sid waddell what a legend 20:15 is a better place to start

[@jezzaus2124]

Great entrance song choice by Bristow. Would get anyone moving.

[@oelbaron5772]

That handshake at the end was COLD

[@WorldwideDarts]

We see who the real king was. The crowd wanted Eric to win.

[@benrichards399]

Worldwide Darts brits only wanted eric to win cuz he was over the hill at this point. thats how us english are wired...#riperic

[@cathalkeenan8]

13:24 what is Bristow doing here?

[@guyq2263]

Cathal Keenan going for treble 13 to leave 32

[@paulr3912]

@Steve Ruddick Great example

[@parksyist]

Same with Steve Davis the same year who beat a young Ronnie to win the masters snooker. Only wanted him to win cos he wasn't winning any more

[@DemonAsh40]

If he never got hit by Dartitis, he’d have probs won 10 world titles by 1997!

[@harl4227]

We miss you bristow

[@jasonhardy142]

R.I.P Sid Waddell too, wish he was around still commentating on the darts!

[@Induna123]

First time I've ever seen this. That Bristow walkout was magical. One thing I noticed straight away was how quiet the crowd was on the throw compared to how it is these days, Very respectful

[@chrisevans5259]

What players,...what characters ...what a match,...two truly greats of the tungsten slugging it out ...dart for dart ...for supremacy....great match

[@leewalker921]

Such a amazing character rip eric

[@georgeb9783]

Look at the wire on that board!

[@ludvigdreng6315]

It was a foggy evening back then :)

[@chrismaginess7639]

"The Crafty Cockney" was my favorite player,when i was younger. His games against John Lowe was great.

[@flash8854]

Spot on!!

[@Pyroklokker]

From Holland, rest in peace Eric.

[@OrdgarV]

Представляю какая атмосфера тогда там творилась!))))

[@rickykuijpers3179]

King Taylor showing his mentor how it's done!

[@jamesshaw4272]

this really was the great mans last hurrah RIP eric

[@gar651527]

When people actually went to watch darts. Not like today where the majority couldn't even tell you whose playing and just go to act like clowns

[@gredangeo]

Nah, the new fans these days are awesome, make the game look better. They are loud and obnoxious like any other bar. Fun to watch. It's amazing these dart pros can even put up with that shit. Meanwhile a pigeon fart on the PGA Tour freaks everyone out. Golf would make for good tv, if fans could get rowdy, and cosplay dumb shit.

[@kurt7842]

I'm just glad theres no petty violence between "x" supporters and "x" supporters unlike football...

[@gredangeo]

@Oliver McCall People don't show up to a sporting event without knowing how the game is played.

[@jimboBFC1]

Agree. The clowns these days mostly aren't Darts fans. Back in 1997 the crowd showed good order, although the atmosphere was absolutely electric in this match without the heckling and booing you see these days. Everyone at the Circus Tavern that day was mesmerised by a great encounter between 2 of the darting greats.

[@andrewhiggins449]

Crowd was respectable back in the day

[@andymatthews7617]

A TRUE SHOWMAN, AND A BRILLIANT DART PLAYER, R I P ERIC.🙏🙏

[@craigpaxton4044]

great match, should have shown the whole 9th set though pressure was on and they both still played great.

[@T-rock_chr0n1c]

Wish I could see them in there prime live