Bruce Spendley

2013 PDC World Championship MasterCaller.com

Bruce Spendley

Bruce Spendley is one of the longest serving referees. He made his televised debut in 1979 during the World Team Matchplay. Bruce called at every Embassy between 1980 and 1993. Along with fellow County Durham man Sid Dowson and his Essex-based colleague Freddie Williams, Bruce developed the style of calling with big 180s, the curt 100's and the terms "Game on" and "Game-shot and the match" which are so common now that they have become part of the English language. 

Bruce Spendley and Freddie Williams are known together as the first two Godfathers of the referees. Together they have pioneered the development of their profession.

Spendley also called the first ever WDC/PDC TV match in Norwich during the Lada UK Masters. Spendley has his signature written under 8 nine dart legs and for some time he was the referee with most 9 darters, although he had to wait 25 years for his first one. Spendley retired after the 2013 Ladbrokes PDC World Championships, Phil Taylor honoured Spendley by dedicating the title to him. One day later he got inducted to the PDC Hall of Fame. On June 15th 2021 Bruce Spendley passes away aged 80.

First World Championship in 1980, his last in 2013.

Nickname
The 9-dart ref
Age
2
Date Of Death
15 Jun 2021
Residence
Billingham, Cleveland
Occupation
Professional Darts Referee
1
WC
Nine Darters
9
Major
Nine Darters
9
TV
Nine Darters
12
All
Nine Darters
91.48
Highest
WDC Average
PDC World Championship 2013
Dean Winstanley vs. Vincent van der Voort
108.38
Highest
Major Average
Grand Slam of Darts 2012
Michael van Gerwen vs. Phil Taylor
108.38
Highest
TV Average
Grand Slam of Darts 2012
Michael van Gerwen vs. Phil Taylor
108.38
Highest
Average
Grand Slam of Darts 2012
Michael van Gerwen vs. Phil Taylor

Bruce Spendley's Nine Darters

Dean Winstanley
180 180 T20 - T19 - D12
View Video
Phil Taylor
180 174 T20 - T17 - D18
View Video
Raymond van Barneveld
180 180 T20 - T19 - D12
View Video
James Wade
180 180 T20 - T19 - D12
View Video
Tony O'Shea
180 180 T20 - T19 - D12
View Video
Phil Taylor
180 180 T20 - T19 - D12
View Video
Raymond van Barneveld
180 180 T20 - T19 - D12
View Video
12 Jun 2005
UK Open 2005
Phil Taylor
180 180 T20 - T19 - D12
View Video
5 Jun 2004
UK Open 2004
Phil Taylor
180 180 T20 - T19 - D12
View Video
2013 PDC World Championship MasterCaller.com

Bruce Spendley

Bruce Spendley is one of the longest serving referees. He made his televised debut in 1979 during the World Team Matchplay. Bruce called at every Embassy between 1980 and 1993. Along with fellow County Durham man Sid Dowson and his Essex-based colleague Freddie Williams, Bruce developed the style of calling with big 180s, the curt 100's and the terms "Game on" and "Game-shot and the match" which are so common now that they have become part of the English language. 

Bruce Spendley and Freddie Williams are known together as the first two Godfathers of the referees. Together they have pioneered the development of their profession.

Spendley also called the first ever WDC/PDC TV match in Norwich during the Lada UK Masters. Spendley has his signature written under 8 nine dart legs and for some time he was the referee with most 9 darters, although he had to wait 25 years for his first one. Spendley retired after the 2013 Ladbrokes PDC World Championships, Phil Taylor honoured Spendley by dedicating the title to him. One day later he got inducted to the PDC Hall of Fame. On June 15th 2021 Bruce Spendley passes away aged 80.

First World Championship in 1980, his last in 2013.

Nickname
The 9-dart ref
Age
2
Date Of Death
15 Jun 2021
Residence
Billingham, Cleveland
Occupation
Professional Darts Referee