The Mount Rushmore Of Darts Selected

[@andrewkistell4446]

Sid waddell he put darts on the TV with indoor league

[@dripsa]

good shout

[@brianrobinson4825]

Absolutely. No Sid, no darts on TV. No TV production of the coverage. And still the best commentator, by far.

[@Phil_Tutty]

Some people are nearly there Matt, but I'm going to come out of left field with someone who I don't even know what he looks like. Andrew Wood. He came up with the idea of Bullseye as a gameshow for ITV and without Bullseye darts struggles to be popular enough to spawn the PDC. Bullseye's highest rated episodes were doing in the region of 20 million viewers. Has any World final done that many? So Andrew Wood definitely deserves to be on the Darting Mount Rushmore.

[@SWJ_]

Phil Taylor, Sid Waddell, Russ Bray, John McDonald.

[@DavidWatkiss]

Sid Waddell should be the No1 pick everytime, Bristow for his role in the PDC and five titles. Then any from so many, players and behind the scenes are worthy especially Paul Lim for how he spread darts around the world outside Europe

[@smashyrashy]

If youre including paul lim it would have to be a massive list

[@meanderingmiasma]

In the early years of televised darts, Sid Waddell commentary was synonymous with darts & was, IMHO, significant in popularising darts.

[@LinecookThorJamiethaxton]

Awesome video

[@knutvoberg4236]

Brian Gamlin (any list without him disqualifies itself) Sid Waddell Barry Hearn Michael van Gerwen For all the others in question, someone else could have done the job equally well: instead of William Anakin, someone else would have hit the right spots on the board in court, someone other than Eric Bristow would have excelled, someone else would have founded the first major darts organisation, etc.... Undoubtedly Phil Taylor was and is the most successful player, but I'm not sure if the sport wouldn't have grown even faster without him, his dominance was more of a stumbling block for the international breakthrough, I think. The fact that MvG, a non-Brit, completely dominated the game for a few years made the rest of Europe realise that this game must be so interesting and beautiful that (almost) an entire country on the continent could be enthusiastic about it (especially as there have been many good Dutch players for a long time) - this changed the image of the game in the rest of the world.

[@pascallovic]

I wouldn't pick Michael van Gerwen. Yeah he dominated the game for years, which was really impressive. But without Raymond van Barneveld darts wouldn't have become this big in the Netherlands and the circumstances for Dutch players like van Gerwen wouldn't be there to rise to the occassion in the level he did. Barney made the Dutch dartscrazy in the nineties. From his succes came big tournaments in the Netherlands like the World Darts Trophy, the International Darts League and the Masters of Darts(where we first saw a young MvG in 2007). MvG his succes has further developed it, but the person who really changed the country was RvB.

[@gheffz]

Great video as always, Matt. Can't disagree with your four.

[@byrnez2755]

Having only been re-introduced to darts in the past 5 years (it was always on, in our household when I was a kid), I enjoyed the history. I have to go look for that short documentary yo mentioned. As for players, just from me trying to catch up on darts history... the Mount Rushmore of players would seem to be: Taylor, Van Gerwyn, Bristow and Barneveld. I think I swapped Barneveld with Gary Anderson twice before I hit the Enter button. A prime Anderson may have beaten a prime "Barney".. and Gary is having the better PDC era but Barney with those 5 world titles over-all just can't be discounted, I feel. From a personal perspective, the player that got me interested in playing and watching darts and my all-time favorite so far is John Lowe. With the parity in darts at the moment, I feel we are in the golden age of the game.

[@00Phat12345]

Sid Waddell, the World Championship Trophy is literally named after him. If that isn’t the highest recognition of influence , I don’t know what is.

[@johngreenhorn8853]

Jocky Wilson,never mind the winning 2 world titles but for the handsome features.

[@ColinFlowers]

Jocky and Jim Bowen for me. Jim Bowen made darts massive back in the 80s.

[@jdan35]

Steve Beaton has something to say about that

[@stephenmuir6812]

I'll give two Mount Rushmores, one for the PDC and one for the BDO. BDO: Eric Bristow, John Lowe, Jocky Wilson and Olly Croft PDC: Phil Taylor, Tommy Cox, Barry Hearn and Sid Waddell

[@curtydottv7170]

Very interesting watch!! MVG has to be on there for me

[@Shaunparry]

Sid Waddell, Tony Green & Stuart Pyke on the commentary side. Russ Bray for refereeing

[@rossrobson91]

Taylor, Bristol, RVB, MVG, don’t think there’s anybody else that could replace any of these at all.

[@marclafferty6416]

I’m so glad you brought up Tommy Cox and the documentary blood on the carpet. It’s a great watch and a really important part of darts history. Great job on the video I completely agree with you on this one but I would have put ollys wife on there with him as I think she made as many decisions as he did

[@bdboyo]

Leighton Rees, Bristow, Taylor and RVB

[@daveangelo4502]

Bristow, Taylor, Barney, Jocky Wilson (The Hurricane Higgins of Darts)

[@mando8708]

Olly Croft Phil Taylor Raymond van Barneveld Barry Hearn Bonus: Sid Wadell

[@Raziel_HHL]

I can only do 2 people because I have no knowledge about the past and the beginnings: Taylor for the same reasons you said AND Russ Bray Russ is basically the voice of darts, certainly the most recognizable voice in darts ever. A legendary person for the sport and in all honesty THE PERFECT ambassador for the sport. I do agree with your other picks as well, really feels like the Top 4 are hard to pick

[@jaden7888]

Adam Smith-Neale, Laura Turner, Danny Baggish and Mickey Mansell for me for sure

[@fullsizedwarf]

No Corey Cadby?

[@jaden7888]

​@@fullsizedwarfhe's a close one aswell

[@Haterade420]

Where is Terry Down? He was a legend for beating Jocky Wilson at the Blackstone Masters.

[@henrys1925]

This comment makes me think I know nothing about darts .. and that’s probably true (I’m trying to learn but miles behind). Adam Smith Neale is a 🛎️🔚 so confused why he makes the list, I understand Laura Turner, but for Baggish and Mansell I can’t seem to understand how they’re significant! Would love to learn if anyone would like to fill me in to these choices !

[@Haterade420]

@ the last three don’t make sense. I would replace those three with one of them being Leighton Bennett.

[@Lorenzo_DMH]

Eric Bristow, Phil Taylor, Sid Waddell, and Russ Bray for me. Each is iconic in their own way and got people gravitating to darts. Barry Hearn is an honourable mention and a very unlucky miss.

[@devo2]

I feel like Barney should be part of it. He really opened the doors for people from other countries.

[@1414yorks]

Sammi Marsh Daniella Allfree Charlotte Wood Ali Drew The Golden Age of Darts!

[@jonnietash9889]

Eric, John Lowe, Jocky and Phil and thats before i watched the Video

[@davidshaw7404]

I agree with these picks because they make sense i would like to see a darts player one and also a pundits one and non players/pundits because it would be interesting to see someone completely unknown be on it. Could be refs or something completely different

[@paulsummerfield6357]

Sid Waddell

[@Edgartvdarts]

Yeah good shout

[@paulknox4643]

@@kingeatkingneither is eddy Hearn

[@dripsa]

@@kingeatking they don't have to be players, genius

[@pauluss1053]

Terry Down for his Ricky Evans like speed

[@RoystonTownFCFan]

What will you do if Callan Rydz wins the worlds?

[@grahammusto7759]

Taylor, Bristow, John Lowe and Leighton Rees. All legends of the game.

[@oldgold5848]

Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow, Barry Hearn, Jim Bowen. All 4 of those have made darts more than what is was before. Honourable mentiins to Olly Croft and Sid Waddell

[@kbrodie78]

Taylor, Bristol, Hearn, Bray

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

Bray that's a good one

[@davidwhiston4896]

My Mount Rushmore is Steve Beaton, Steve Beaton, Steve Beaton & Steve Beaton!

[@Edgartvdarts]

We have a winner

[@liamanderson6191]

Barney has gotta be on there

[@jonathanpitts366]

It's nigh on impossible to argue the impact Taylor had, the problem is I just really, really dislike the guy - always have. Just compare the way Luke Humphries carries himself as a World Champion - humble, respectful and gracious to all opposition, and compare that with the arrogance of Phil Taylor in his pomp. There's also a huge argument to say would Taylor have been able to achieve what he did without Eric Bristow laying the foundations? Eric was the first true darts personality, the first one to really bring viewrship to the sport, whether you loved him or hated him. The mentions already of Sid Waddell and Jim Bowen are very valid! There are so many people who wouldn't ordinarily have known much about darts but would immediately recognise Sid's voice, and similarly be able to quote many of Jim's weekly catchphrases. On a final note, RVB is also a great shout - the sport had been hugely dominated by British players before he came along, he was very much the trailblazer for European darts players.

[@chrisrobbo1974]

Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones

[@sarahwelty9223]

😂😂😂

[@DanielDarts82]

Eric has to be there. If it wasn't for Bristow, there would be no phill taylor.

[@am7062skywalker]

You should have had Eric Bristow up there first after all he ruled his era and also trained up Phil the power Taylor, I know Phil was the best player in his day but without Eric's help he would have taken longer to break through because Eric spurred him on to be a winner.

[@dripsa]

"Once every now and then" lol he starts off every sentence with that

[@BlueHopi144]

lol😄

[@dcgamesvinyl3978]

Jim Bowen should without doubt feature

[@1pacarr]

Outstanding picks Matt, the only change I would make is Hearn for Sid Waddell. I think Hearn advanced the game purely for profit whereas the other three evolved the game out of love for the game. The new generation of fans need to understand what Olly did for the game instead of the PDC narrative that he was a stubborn buffoon.

[@brianrobinson4825]

Sid Waddell Eric Bristow Raymond van Barneveld Phil Taylor

[@koelschi]

Oy oy What are your predictions for the next round Edgar? Cheers and thanks for the content

[@swissbiggy]

Taylor, Van Barneveld, Bristow, Van Gerwen.

[@zack9982]

Bristow has to be there

[@snookerstones]

Taylor Mvg Bristow the certs for me

[@jackdavies4078]

Taylor; Bray; Hearn; Littler. They changed the game. Am I happy littler a year into his career has had that impact, not really, no, but when before him has darts been at the top of the bbc sport page?

[@paulclynes9865]

The BBC just chase trends pal, they're a plastic fan in corporate form, they were obsessing over Sherrock for over a year after she won those 2 matches vs Evetts and Suljovic. I like Littler (who doesn't?) but let's be real that's pretty much all he's attracted more of to the sport, an actual darts fan would have had him on their radar well before last year's WC, I became aware of him 2 years ago at the WDF Worlds, being seeded #8 at just 14 years old, and being incredibly unlucky to run into Veenstra averaging nearly 105 against him in that tournament, judging by the poor standard of the 2 WDF's after that it's unlikely any player in that will ever come up against anything close to that level.

[@jackdavies4078]

@ I know, he was on my radar as well. And yeah, Beeb just chase trends, but how can any darts fan be upset that the sport is trending? If Fallon had actually achieved anything, she may have a place. If we talked about “the women’s game Rushmore” is Fallon, Beau, Ashton plus one (id take Lorraine Winstanley personally). Reality is, Littler has exploded darts, brought a new audience, and will be responsible for a significant increase in money in the game.

[@robtheoldmongoose7546]

Easy! Phil Taylor Dave Lanning Eric Bristow Micheal van Gerwen.

[@clarky7479]

Bristow Taylor Anderson Labanauskas

[@Lexngton]

Don‘t forget Razma

[@thenorthernvoice3713]

Phil Taylor Sid Waddell Jim Bowen Tony Green

[@ewanmackenna2234]

Sid?

[@SteveVanRyn]

Mine - Jim Bowen,Tony Geen,, Bully and a Caravan. If you are talking most influential then has to be..

[@ashergreen3356]

Tom Barrett

[@lovethedarts135]

Controversial one here but what about Martin Fitzmaurice. Still today you here even non darts fans saying "Arrre Yooo Ready, Ladies and Gentlemen, Lets, play, Darts !!"

[@davidhobson464]

You have to take Phil out (because he’s a player) and put in the late great Sid Waddel. He was the one who brought darts to tv with Indoor League.

[@knutvoberg4236]

It's not a player-free list, but one in which everyone who was or is extremely important to darts can appear, players and non-players alike.

[@davidhobson464]

@ are you saying Sid was not important for darts? You can take any one of the four out but (I’m my opinion) Sid would have to be in. He should be first on the list!!!

[@davidhobson464]

Not read anybody else’s thoughts but they are all in their opinions

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

All right then Olly croft Hearn Sid Jim Bowen

[@Jedwbpm]

blood on the carpet narrated by Carson the Butler

[@alenton81]

No love for Des & Paula Jacklin then 😢

[@locomot1ve]

Christmas list

[@0SnakeDoctor]

DARTS PLAYERS 1. Phil Taylor (even though I can't stand him). 2. Michael van Gerwen. 3. Raymond van Barneveld (I put him behind MvG because MvG has won more overall, but not world titles -- even though four of RvB's titles came in the BDO). 4. Gary Anderson (two-time world champion, multiple TV titles, and on his day one of the best darts players ever; one of the few people who's beaten Phil Taylor in a world final). Honourable mention: John Part, 3-time world champ and like Gary one of the very few who's beaten Phil Taylor in a world final. Also Dennis Priestly, for the exact same reasons.

[@pascallovic]

If it goes to influence i would always put Barneveld above van Gerwen. I know van Gerwen is the better player overall and that he won much more then RvB. But in my opinion darts wouldn't be this big in the Netherlands without RvB and we would never have seen the lights of van Gerwen without him. RvB's success and appearances from mid nineties has changed the country and paved the way for the dutchtalent that has emerged from then.

[@cadrollhunting3564]

Taylor, MVG, Bristow, van barneveld, with Gary Anderson up next, dont think it is really difficult. Anybody leaving MVG of a list like that is just lying to themselves, MVG is at least the 2nd greatest ever and has a legitimate arguement to be the goat over taylor.

[@smashyrashy]

16 world titles and robbie williams😂😂😂 basically sums up phil taylor

[@benwilliams8667]

The good thing about having phil taylor and ollie croft is when you do the mount rushmore of obnoxious prats you'll have 50% of your work and costs covered 👍

[@Thomas-o1h]

Adrian Lewis just for the shrug after the 9 darter

[@Edgartvdarts]

Lewis changed a lot in darts tbf left an impact

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

Olly croft

[@anthonymatute6057]

Shouldn’t even come near the Mount Rushmore for ruining the BDO

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

​@@anthonymatute6057right first of all des Jacklin and his dopey wife ruined the bdo and second of all without him they wouldn't be there

[@zachdavis620]

Mount Rushmore without Justin Pipe? Rubbish.

[@jed_91]

Oliy croft defo not on rushmore dismantal his legacy whith the split big time hell no

[@bentattersfield7987]

Unarguably it should be; 1. Phil Taylor 2. Eric Bristow 3. MVG 4. RVB ...But you could just as easily feature John Lowe..first 9 darter on TV, multiple world champion, and lifelong ambassador for darts.

[@BillyBobb911]

Unarguably?

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

Taylor Bristow Adams

[@anthonymatute6057]

Adams doesn’t belong on the Mount Rushmore of darts, only started winning shit in the BDO after all the best players left.

[@ColinFlowers]

Jocky

[@DavidWatkiss]

without doubt one of the most loved players of all time God rest his soul

[@darter216]

Great video