Bellies and Bullseyes: The Outrageous True Story of Darts

by SidWaddell (Author)

• New

  Paperback
  2008

  $16.78

  Bellies and Bullseyes is simply the greatest account there will ever be about the sport of darts - as told by one of its most legendary characters - Sid Waddell. It mixes Sid's own personal journey from the coalfields of the North East with the entire history of the sport. What is revealed is a hilarious yet epic Darts Babylon, covering every significant event and every character to walk the oche from Eric 'The Crafty Cockney' Bristow to Phil 'The Power' Taylor. In words as ripe as his commentaries, Sid brings an authentic whiff of fags, hard drink, hot tungsten and moist polyester to the whole cabaret. Sid has been friend and confidante to most of darts' stars over the years as well as being instrumental in the game's progress himself. Nobody is equipped to tell the story quite like he is. From the early days of hustling in bars and the 1960s money-race pub competitions that spawned the likes of John Lowe and Leighton Rees, to ITV's brilliantly daft The Indoor League and the glory days of BBC's coverage; from the bling of Bobby George and the belly of Jocky Wilson to the awesome professionalism of Phil Taylor; from smoky Northern working men's clubs to the Houses of Parliament; this is the complete, incredible story of darts.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2007

  $3.25

  This book covers everything from the early days of hustling in pubs and the 1960s money race pub competitions that spawned the likes of John Lowe and Eric Bristow, to the glory days of ITV's brilliantly daft Indoor League; from the bling of Bobby George and the belly of Jocky Wilson to Sid's part in the schism between the BDO and newly formed PDC. It mixes Sid's own 'I was there' story with the entire story of darts - a kind of comic Darts Babylon that features every event and every character to walk the oche from Eric 'The Crafty Cockney' Bristow to Phil 'The Power' Taylor. The whole thing has a distinct whiff of cigarettes, alcohol, hot tungsten and moist polyester. Sid knows all the stars as intimate friends and has been instrumental in the game's progress himself and his writing is as colorful as his commentary. Sid is something of a legend and since he started in the 70s has had more column inches than Richie Benaud and John Motson combined. Bellies and Bullseyes is simply the best book you could have about the sport.