Eric Bristow V Keith Deller
EMBASSSY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 1983
On route to Saturday’s final, the 23-year-old from
Ipswich had first overcome 1979 winner Lowe at
the quarter-final stage before then dethroning
reigning champ Jocky Wilson to book his place in the
showpiece showdown with Bristow.
We continue our Classic Matches series by
traveling back to January 1983 for what was It meant that Deller had beaten the players ranked
one of the biggest upsets in the sport’s history. 2 and 3, yet most believed that world number 1
Bristow would be a challenge to far for the underdog.
More people tuned in to watch Bristow versus
Despite his relative anonymity amongst the public,
Deller than any other match in darts history
those within the game knew the youngster had real
and it is still a firm favourite amongst fans of
talent – including Eric’s father George, who placed
the game. Sit back and enjoy.
Prior to the Embassy World Championship in 1983,
the name Keith Deller was unknown by the majority
of darts fans; by the time it ended it was one they
would never forget.
In stark contrast, twice world champion Eric Bristow
was the main attraction of a sport at one of its most
popular points. The Crafty Cockney was ranked
number 1 heading into the tournament and, when he
arrived at the final having avoided both John Lowe
and Jocky Wislon,
was expected to lift
his third title with
consumate ease.
However, Deller had
already proved his
worth on route to
the final and experts
knew it wouldn’t be
the whitewash that
many of the public
were
predicting.
bets on Deller in each of his matches excluding the
final.
Roughly ten million viewers tuned in to watch what
was anticipated to be a routine victory for the
sport’s most loved face; although those expectations
never materialised, those fans couldn’t have any
complaints about the level of entertainment on
show.
Many thought the magnitude of the occasion might
have a detrimental impact on Deller, but the 23-yearold raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to consecutive 3-1
A Look Back At The Greatest Matches O