George and Bristow to relive final
Bobby George and Eric Bristow will re-enact one of the most famous darts matches of all time on the opening night of the Betfred.com League of Legends.
The star duo fought out a classic final of the 1980 World Championship, won 5-3 by Bristow, in the first darts match that truly captured the public^s imagination.
Now they will do it all over again tonight at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, Essex, where eight of the most famous darts players in history return to the big time as they relive their battles of yesteryear at venues around England during the summer.
"I can^t wait to get started," said 62-year-old George, from Colchester, about the Betfred.com League of Legends, which will be televised live on Setanta Sports on eight Friday nights between tonight and August 22.
"I see all the other seven players as big rivals in my quest to become the champion. But the only one I^m concerned with at the moment is Eric because I^m playing him first. I^ll sort him out and then look to the next player."
But Bristow, a five-time world champion, is determined that Bobby Dazzler^ will not gain revenge for that 1980 defeat in Stoke-on-Trent and wants to prove a point to those dismissing him as a title contender.
Rated the 16/1 outsider in the sponsors^ betting, the 51-year-old is eager to show he still has the competitive edge.
"The first game will be important for me because it^s against Bobby George, who is playing very well, and if I beat him my odds will tumble," said the Crafty Cockney^.
"It will be a tough game because Bobby recently got to the final of a tournament in Holland. If I can take him out in that first game it will shut everyone up."
George refuses to admit that the class of 2008 are better than his generation.
"People say that today^s players are better than in our time, but what they don^t realise is the dartboard is bigger. The treble is bigger. Plus the throw is nearer, it used to be 8ft 4in, but now it^s 7ft 9in. And don^t forget I started with brass darts!
"We were the personalities, we had character, and we produced the goods. People still come up to me and tell me how they remember where they were on the day of my match against Eric."
Story By: Gazette