The tournament began on the BBC in 1981 and was played at the Fiesta Club in Stockton before moving to the Gaskins Plus One club in Middlesbrough the following year. This venue was destroyed by fire before the 1983 event which moved to Redcar's Coatham Bowl until it's final year in 1988.

In 1982 Jocky Wilson was prevented from defending his title due to a suspension and in the same year on winning the title Eric Bristow when interviewed by Tony Gubba told him "No-one in the world can beat me, Kid, you ask'em all". Bristow was 25 at the time.

Winners and Runners-up:

1981 Jocky Wilson , bt John Lowe 6-5

1982 Eric Bristow , bt John Lowe 7-3

1983 Jocky Wilson , bt Dave Whitcombe 7-2

1984 Mike Gregory , bt John Lowe 7-4

1985 Eric Bristow , bt John Lowe 7-4

1986 Jocky Wilson , bt Dave Whitcome 7-6

1987 Keith Deller , bt Leighton Rees 7-5

1988 Jocky Wilson , bt Ray Battey 7-2

Footage:

[youtube][/youtube]

Cat m8 a very good friend of mine Alastair Forrester played in the very first one back in '81 unfortunately Alastair lost 3-0 to Alan Evans

I've met him whats he up to these days, does he still play ?

crazydarter wrote:I've met him whats he up to these days, does he still play ?

Yes he does m8 Alastair plays in the same darts team as myself on a Monday night he still throws a mean dart but unfortunately he's been bothered with shoulder problems the both of us play for Finlay's bar in Cambuslang in the Blantyre & district darts & dominoes league

Have just watched Eric Bristow beating Alan Glazier in 1983..........he averaged 35.1 per dart............."not bad"...said Brissie in the after match interview!!!

Phil

If it was only one year at The fiesta club, i was there a cpl of nights that year.

Alan Evans beating Eric Bristow being the highlight . Funny enough

1981 christ nearly 30 years ago . I must have been 8 years old at the time