The greatest WDF/BDO darts players of all time 

Before darts turned into the primetime spectacle it is today, Eric Bristow was the guy making waves with nothing but a killer throw and bags of confidence. The ‘Crafty Cockney’ owned the early ’80s and claimed five World Championships, back when the tournament was organised by the British Darts Organisation (BDO).

His swagger, quick comebacks and knack for riling up the crowd made him as much a showman as a darts player. Bristow even mentored Phil Taylor, a fellow English darts player who went on to dominate after him. 

Where Bristow brought the drama, John Lowe was all about consistency. His unruffled attitude earned him his ‘Old Stoneface’ nickname and undoubtedly helped him secure three world championships (in 1979, 1987 and 1993) across three different decades.

Trina Gulliver is the undisputed queen of women’s darts. Nicknamed 'The Golden Girl', she racked up 10 BDO Women’s World Championships and brought fierce competition and passion to every match. Gulliver’s dominance wasn’t just about piling up trophies (though she claimed plenty of hardware in her career).

She proved that women’s darts could draw just as many cheers as the men’s game. Her legacy? Opening doors for a new generation of female players and giving them the confidence to grab their darts, step up to the oche and aim for greatness. 

‘Barney’, as fans lovingly call him, is largely responsible for turning the Netherlands into a darts-crazed nation. Titles in 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2005? Check. An adrenaline-pumping walk-on song? Check. It was ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor if you’re wondering. Talk about fitting! van Barneveld showed off the kind of precision that kept fans glued to every throw, proving darts could be as thrilling as any sport on screen. 

Jocky Wilson is a story in himself. With his scrappy style and two world titles in 1982 and 1989, Wilson was an icon who didn’t fit the typical mould. His journey from a working-class background to BDO champion is a tale that Scottish fans could rally behind. Wilson brought an unpredictable, fire-fuelled spirit to the game that hadn’t been seen before.

Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams is the man who stayed loyal to the BDO when others moved on. Precision and sportsmanship were his jam and won him a legion of fans who value tradition. Adams clinched three titles in his career (2007, 2010 and 2011) and maintained an impressive level of consistency. Not to mention an impressive beard! 

Beau Greaves is young, driven and changing the face of women’s darts. In 2022, the Brit won her first WDF World Championship at just 18. The victory established her as a player to watch and earned her a cache of new fans. Greaves has a mature, composed playing style that belies her age, and her confidence under pressure is admirable. In many ways, the Doncaster native is seen as the heir to Trina Gulliver’s legacy, and it’s clear she’s only getting started. Watch this space! 

With a cowboy-themed entrance and a cool, controlled style, Bob Anderson made sure he stood out. Not only did he win the 1988 BDO World Championship but he reigned as world number one through the late ’80s. And yes, he did it all with the flair of a true showman.

Leighton Rees, a Welshman from the pint-sized village of Ynysybwl, was the first player to win the BDO World Championship back in 1978. He essentially set the bar for everyone who came after. With his power throw and no-nonsense style, Rees became a Welsh legend and a founding father of the televised darts scene. He might have just one title under his belt, but he’s considered one of the most successful darts players of all time.