A former Island darts player has paid tribute to Eric Bristow’s dad, who has died aged 82.

George Bristow, of Acorn Street, Sheerness, passed away at Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, earlier this month.

Former professional arrow thrower George Ball, of Wards Hill Road, Minster, met him when he accompanied his son on several trips to the Island in the mid-1970s.

The 78-year-old said: “He [Eric] used to come down to the Victory pub in Railway Road [Sheerness]. He used to come down there at weekends when he was in his prime.

“George used to follow him around when he was playing competitions, he was a lovely fella. You used to see him all the time down the auction

rooms in Blue Town up until a year or so ago.”

Mr Ball, a grandfather of six and great-grandfather of two, was a professional darts player in his own right and still holds a world record for knocking a filed down pinhead off a brave volunteer’s tongue with a four inch nail thrown from eight feet away.

He achieved the feat many times, missing only once when he was nudged, and hit a man’s nose.

Mr Ball played the Crafty Cockney several times and said he even managed to beat him once or twice.

The founder and former owner of Sheppy Glass has also raised an estimated £150,000 over the years for various good causes, including Macmillan Cancer Support and Help for Heroes.

He brought world class talent to the Island for charity exhibitions.

Eric Bristow was among famous faces who in 1977, went to the Celebrity Pro-Am All Stars contest at the former Literary and Social Club in Blue Town. Other top names there included Tom Shea, ladies’ champion Maureen Flowers and Cliff Lazerenko.

A colleague of Mr Bristow said he was “humbled” by Mr Ball’s tributes to his father.

George Bristow’s funeral took place on Monday at the Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing.