Softies are killing the darts
LEGEND SLAMS OCHE BORES
DARTS legend Peter Evison has slammed today’s “snowflake robot” players.
The former World Masters champion claims their teetotal ways are sucking the life out of the sport.
He is fed up with stars who are nothing like his boozy heroes such as Eric Bristow.
He fears modern players shunning drinking will ruin the spectacle of darts as the World Championships get under way at Alexandra Palace today.
The 55-year-old claims today’s stars are more concerned about their big-money sponsors than the game.
Peter said: “People don’t want to see robots.
“We had Eric Bristow having a go at someone or me slowing someone down and we never had to queue to get into a nightclub. We got the VIP treatment.
“Darts is a big business these days and if players don’t behave they get fined a lot of money and can lose sponsors.
“Eric used to say ‘You only live once’ and we had a good time… we had so much fun but there’s so much more money in the game these days and that’s why players go to bed early.
“Gerwyn Price is a character but he gets fined for being too aggressive. The crowd boos him and then sponsors pull out. So if you are a character it costs you.”
IT’S no surprise that the 1970s and 1980s are fondly remembered for their sport stars.
It’s because those decades produced the most memorable characters.
Ian Botham, Alex Higgins, Eric Bristow, James Hunt and - a bit later - Gazza.
These are all people you’d happily hit the town with.
These days professional sport is far more lucrative and health-obsessed.
To reach the very top of most sports you have be dedicated and clean living. Darts is different though.
Just a quick look at the stars of today shows you don’t need a six-pack to be able to hit the treble 20.
Many players have the same body shape of those of yesteryear. But there is one change – no-one is drinking.
Back in the day the likes of Eric Bristow would be half-cut by the time he’d wrapped up a world championship final. And we loved him all the more for it. Here was a sport that anyone could enjoy – and when they were at their most relaxed.
Peter Evison blames the pressures of money and sponsors for spawning a generation of “robots” at the oche.
Perhaps it’s time sports stars realised that the true characters are why fans watch in the first place.