BRAY NAMES MOST UNDERRESPECTED PLAYER AND BEST REFEREE

RUSS BRAY believes Gerwyn Price is the player who doesn’t get the respect he deserves on the PDC circuit.

World No12 Price has often divided opinion during his career, with loud celebrations and raw emotion making him a target for hostile crowds.

Legendary ref Bray insists the Welshman’s reputation away from the stage couldn’t be further from the truth.

Bray reckons Price has been misunderstood in the past following his incident with Gary Anderson in the final of the 2018 Grand Slam, where his wild roars and fist pumps riled the Scot.

He told talkSPORT: “Doesn’t get the respect they deserve — someone like Gerwyn Price.

“He is a fantastic man, he is a fantastic lad off the oche. On the oche, he wears his heart on his sleeve.

“He really does. He gives it his 100 per cent and really gives it his all. Give him the respect and the cheers.

“I’ve just worked with Gezzy over this last week abroad — we have been in Belgium, Germany and Finland.

“They were supporting him and praising him. He should have a little bit more respect, that is for sure.

“He is a wonderful dart player and trust me, he is every bit as good a man as well.

“I can’t say it enough, he is tremendous. He’s very quiet — if he was in here now, he would sit in the corner nice and quiet.

“You know, he is not loud or anything. He is not like what he is on the stage. That is his work ethic, if you will.

“He doesn’t cheat. He shouts and screams at the right time. Respect the guy — he had that incident with Gary Anderson years ago.

“Gary being the fans’ favourite, they all turned against Gezzy. That is dying out now, which is good.

“Respect the guy because he is a smashing lad.”

Bray was asked who he believes is the greatest darts caller of all time and revealed Bruce Spendley has the best voice, while George Noble is the most accurate.

He added: “Best darts caller of all time, voice-wise, I would go with Bruce Spendley.

“Bruce Spendley came from up north. His intonation of the numbers, his 180 and everything else was absolutely magnificent.

“Best darts caller ever for not making mistakes would be George Noble. Kirk Bevins is up there as well, obviously, with being a Countdown champion.

“For me, voice-wise it’s Bruce Spendley. For accuracy and all the rest of it, George Noble.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.