Robert Charles Anderson (born 7 November 1947) is an English former professional darts player. He competed in both the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and is best known for winning the 1988 BDO World Darts Championship. Anderson earned the nickname “The Limestone Cowboy” and was ranked world number one for over three years in the late 1980s.
Early life and sport background
Anderson was born in Winchester, England, and grew up in Clevedon, Somerset. He first demonstrated darts skill at age seven, throwing a perfect 180 with brass darts. As a teenager, he excelled in athletics, being selected as a javelin thrower for the British Olympic team for the 1968 Games; however, a broken arm prevented his participation. He later played semi‑professional football for clubs including Lincoln United, Guildford City, Woking, and Farnborough Town. A broken leg in 1970 ended his football career, after which he turned his attention more seriously to darts.
Darts career
BDO period (1979–1993)
Anderson began competing in darts in 1973. He achieved his greatest successes in the mid‑1980s, winning the Winmau World Masters three consecutive times (1986, 1987, 1988) – the first player to do so. His crowning achievement came at the 1988 BDO World Darts Championship, where he defeated John Lowe 6–4 in the final, posting a three‑dart average of 92.7 and winning £16,000. He also reached the semi‑finals of the BDO World Championship in 1986, 1989, and 1991, and was captain of the England team in 1992.
Transition to the PDC (1993–2008)
Anderson was a founding member of the World Darts Council (later the Professional Darts Corporation) when it split from the BDO in 1992‑93. In the PDC he remained a regular qualifier for major events, reaching the semi‑finals of the PDC World Championship in 2004 (lost to Kevin Painter) and 2005 (lost to Phil Taylor). He also attained a third‑place finish at the 1996 World Matchplay and a quarter‑final appearance at the 2006 World Grand Prix. Anderson’s later PDC career was marked by consistent participation, though he did not replicate his late‑1980s dominance.
Other achievements
Anderson won numerous open and invitational tournaments, including the British Matchplay (1988, 1989), the MFI World Matchplay (1987), the British Gold Cup (1983, 1986), the British Open (1987), and several international titles such as the Canadian Open (1990, 1992) and the Denmark Open (1986). He also partnered with Phil Taylor to win the 1996 WDC World Pairs event.
Legacy
Anderson was instrumental in establishing the Bob Anderson Classic, a major darts tournament held from 2002 to 2005. He also competed in the BetFred League of Legends in 2008, securing the title that year.
Playing style and equipment
A right‑handed player, Anderson was known for his steady scoring and calm demeanor under pressure. He traditionally used 24‑gram Unicorn Signature darts (previously 18 g) and entered matches to “Rhinestone Cowboy” by Glen Campbell.
Personal life
Anderson married Sally Attwater on 8 April 2004; Eric Bristow served as his best man. The couple has two children, Jennie and David. Outside of darts, Anderson enjoys golf and fishing. He resides in the seaside town of Clevedon, Somerset.
Major titles
- BDO World Darts Championship: 1 (1988)
- Winmau World Masters: 3 (1986, 1987, 1988)
- British Matchplay: 2 (1988, 1989)
- MFI World Matchplay: 1 (1987)
- Various international opens and invitational events (see career record).
Bob Anderson’s career spanned over three decades, during which he was a prominent figure in the sport’s transition from the BDO era to the modern professional circuit.