The 1990s may have become very difficult for darts, but it didn’t start that way. Indeed, the beginning of the decade saw a transfer of ‘Power’ as Phil and Dennis Priestley grasped the top titles and gave the new decade a shakeup.
Despite his later dominance in the PDC it is often overlooked that Phil grabbed his first World title in a unified BDO field of remarkable strength. New stars were beginning to edge out the old guard but as a combined entity it looks a daunting proposition to this day.
Bristow just about edged out Bob Anderson for the top seed spot with Lowe, Gregory and Jocky Wilson the next three on the list! Peter Evison also entered in the top 8 seeds. Then add in Paul Lim, Big Cliff, Ronnie Sharp, Dave Whitcomb and Alan Warriner and its some field of cross generational talent.
The baton wasn’t so much as handed over as snatched away as Phil Taylor grabbed the first of his World titles in an emphatic victory over his friend, and darts idol, Eric Bristow. Who would have guessed what lay ahead for Eric, Phil, and darts over the coming decade?
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The Darts World 50
Very few publications can lay claim to being “The Official Voice” of their sport. But then not many are almost 50 years old and have coexisted side by side with the object of their affection throughout the swings and roundabouts of two golden eras and at least one near collapse.
In the early 1970s, a handful of ingredients were coming together to form the recipe for the massive success of the hitherto lesser-known pub game. Darts World Magazine was one of those ingredients.
Editor, proprietor, and instigator, Tony Wood, welcomed readers to the new Darts World magazine for our November/December 1972 debut (Issue 1). The ingredients mentioned above could all be seen within those first 36 pages and then in every issue that followed.
DW has chronicled the ups and downs, the major events, and the minutiae while championing the game at every opportunity.
The Darts World 50 offers 50 highlights selected direct from our pages during what must now be thought of as the ‘Golden Age/s of Darts’.
The Darts World 50 are available to order (Here) from November 15th 2022. Very limited stock.
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Words: CJ Harris-Hulme
Images: Darts World
Grab a copy of the 50th Anniversary Darts World 581 here (while stock lasts) or the new Issue 582 here :
The Darts World 50 limited edition set is available to order (Here) in your choice of pack/bundle.
Also Available Free: Darts World Extra 9 – Gezzy Nice
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