OLD darts articles

[Rogg]

Faultless Taylor powers to ninth title
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_s ... 099737.stm
3rd January 2001




Phil 'The Power' Taylor won his ninth world title when he whitewashed John Part 7-0 in the final of the Skol World Championships at Purfleet.

Taylor celebrated the MBE he was awarded in the New Year's honours list in impressive style by allowing his shell-shocked opponent just three legs in the whole match.

"I really wanted to give Phil a match but it just didn't work out that way," said Part. "He is the best darts player ever.

"He really killed me on the outshots. He never missed a double. He beat me thoroughly."

Taylor, who whitewashed Keith Deller and Dave Askew to reach the final, admitted he had been on top form.

"I must admit that I did think John would have given me more of a push but I didn't give him a chance to be fair, " said Taylor.

"My finishing was superb tonight. But you can't give him a chance because otherwise you'll be runner-up."

Taylor felt his performance was on a par with his 1998 defeat of Dennis Priestley.

"I think a few years ago I played against Dennis Priestley and I played really well and I think it was about as good as that."

[Rogg]

Streaker tops Frimley-Green bill
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_dept ... 105738.stm
8th January, 2001


Ted Hankey eased to a 3-0 victory over Shaun Greatbatch at Frimley Green on Sunday, despite being overshadowed by darts' first streaker.

Hankey had just gone 2-0 up in his best-of-five-sets match when a naked young woman ran onto the Lakeside Country Club stage and waved her arms.

Both players were clearly unsettled and the match was brought to a halt while the woman was apprehended by security staff.

As she was escorted from the premises, the streaker was given a standing ovation by the audience, many of whom broke out into a chorus of `Who Let The Dogs Out', a popular anthem among darts followers.


proper darts.

[Rogg]

Bob Potter and the magic of Lakeside
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_dept ... 103005.stm
5th January 2001




BBC Sport Online's Saj Chowdhury speaks to Bob Potter, the owner of Lakeside, about his commitment to the World Championship.

To many people Bob Potter could be Harry's father - to the people of Frimley, he is Mr Lakeside.

Potter owns the vast Frimley complex which has been host to the World Darts Championship for 16 years.

The self-confessed workaholic was a member of a band in the 1960's and also used to arrange gigs for the likes of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

"We used to pay the Fab Four £45-a-night and the Stones got £65 - they were both crazy bands but they were also very nice people," said multi-millionaire Potter.

The entrepreneur owns a number of hotels and establishments in Frimley and around Britain.

He has hosted a variety of events at the Lakeside Country Club, but admits that there is only one spectacle that sends shivers down his spine.

"The World Championship is by far the best," the 72-year old added.

"Each time I go into the arena during the tournament I get excited - you can just feel the buzz go through you.

"There are so many people to cater for. This year we've had to create another viewing room with big screens for people who could not get tickets."

Tickets for the final nights sold out months in advance and Potter added that it is because people recognise the Lakeside tournament is world darts' showpiece.

"This is the world championship, there isn't a venue like this anywhere - you have to be here to sample the fantastic atmosphere" he added.

"The other tournaments are just invitational. There are many players in those events who would not be able to qualify for the Lakeside event.

"This is a proper tournament for which players have to qualify for.

"It's like a family at Lakeside, everybody knows everybody - I would not swap it for the world."

[Rogg]

Loyal Walton eyes fresh challenge
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_dept ... 118700.stm
15th January 2001




John 'Boy' Walton is back in action just 24 hours after his memorable Embassy World Championship success - but in totally different surroundings.

The 39-year-old Yorkshireman became the 15th individual winner of the game's most prestigious prize when he dethroned reigning title holder Ted Hankey with a 6-2 victory at the Lakeside.

After a night of celebration, Walton headed home with another important match facing him, a league game for his pub team.

---

Now he is targeting a clash with the all-conquering Phil Taylor, who dominates the PDC circuit which was set up in rivalry with the BDO eight years ago.

"I hope something can be arranged for me to take on Phil," said Walton, whose only previous appearance at the Embassy had ended in a first round defeat two years ago.

"I'd love to play Phil and he knows that. And I'd fancy my chances against him - I wouldn't want to take him on if I thought I'd get hammered. I know I can play better still."

[The Ginge Reaper]

A fucking Portuguese flag going around the board on that stage, dear god

[Rogg]

Painter brushes up darts profile
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_dept ... 109730.stm
10th January 2001





World Championship sixth seed Kevin Painter says the old image of darts players as beer-swilling brutes is definitely now a thing of the past.

Painter, who prides himself on his appearance, has been nicknamed "Pretty Boy" by Bobby George, but the 33-year-old from Cambridgeshire says he is one of a new breed.

"Darts players have been slagged off for years because people tend to think we all have beer bellies," said Painter, who has a reputation on the circuit for being a model professional.

"But that was donkey's years ago. It's not like that now - the players have a lot more pride in themselves these days.

"They drink water on stage and dress a lot more smartly.

"I've been given the nickname 'Snappy' by the MC, Martin Fitzmaurice, because I always make an effort to look the part.

"I think it's a professional player's duty to do that."

Painter admits he is partial to the odd drink, though players such as Australian Tony David are staunch teetotallers.

David was knocked out of the Embassy World Darts Championship by man-mountain Andy Fordham.

Fordham is a publican and he suggests David's lifestyle is "a bit worrying", though it is fair to say that "The Viking" is most definitely one of the old guard.

Players are no longer allowed to drink on stage in an attempt to rid the game of his boozy image.

Tobacco sponsorship is still prevalent though and the sport's two rival world championships are backed by a cigarette firm and a brand of lager.

[Rogg]

Something about Mary and darts
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_dept ... 102894.stm
5th January 2001




Mary, the club manageress of the Lakeside Country Club, has arguably the toughest job during the nine days of the tournament.

Imagine a club, such as the Lakeside, with a hefty bill for alcohol and food, and double it - that is the what the club has to do to cater for the hundreds of extra customers who come to watch darts premier spectacle.

"The breweries love me they do," said the amiable Mary.

"We have to use plastic glasses in the club when the tournament begins. People get excited and we lose a lot of glasses.

"And they drink so much. You should have seen them last year. I fear what's going to happen this time round."

it goes on like that...

"I love the Dutch they are ever so nice and they all wearing their bright orange," she added.

[Rogg]

Shepherd upsets Mardle in semis
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_s ... 165380.stm
31st December 2007




"Young Gun" Shepherd, rated as a 500-1 outsider at the start of the tournament, could become the first qualifer to become world champion since Keith Deller upset Eric Bristow 25 years ago.

And he said he would not be content with just a place in the final.

"I'm on cloud nine - I'm pinching myself all the time," he said.

"I believe I can do it - I know I can win this."

[Rogg]

Anderson and Webster – the latest additions to the magnificent seven
http://capitalarrows.com/anderson-and-w ... ent-seven/


The two high profile converts from BDO to PDC are the latest in the long list of dart players to make the leap of faith, further confirming that, for any player who wants darts to be their long-term profession, there is only one organisation to join.

A couple more top BDO players may make the switch this year – Scott Waites and Simon Whitlock amongst the most likely – but the move by Webster and Anderson bring to a close months of endless speculation, and, for the time being, ends a trend started by Raymond Van Barneveld in 2006. With Andy Fordham also recently having made the switch, and Ted Hankey and Martin Adams seemingly content to ply their trade under the watchful eye of Olly Croft, the BDO has one crumb of comfort – at least it won’t be losing any more world champions for a while.


...long article, cannot be arsed working out who 'the magnificent seven' were.

[Rogg]

Ted Hankey to lead exodus from BDO to PDC, says Barry Hearn
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/darts/16576334
16th January 2012




Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live earlier Hearn said: "Darts is an exploding sport, there's huge amounts of opportunity, huge amounts of money and there's no surprise these players are making the move."

Hearn predicts that "The Count" will be a big hit.

"He's a big character and he's going to be a big success in the PDC circuit," he said.

"He's got something about him.

"That's the thing about sport these days is that the characters who play the game make it more exciting for the punters to go and watch and of course if they play at the highest level then they're a valuable addition."

No.

[Rogg]

Resurgent Adams gets past Atkins
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_s ... 604184.stm
11th January 2006




Martin Adams battled back to record a momentous 4-3 win over Martin Atkins in the Lakeside World Championship.

Atkins hit eight maximums as he stormed 3-0 ahead but in the deciding leg of set five the Leeds man missed the double top he needed to seal victory.

After that Atkins crumbled and it was Adams who won seven consecutive legs to turn the match on its head.

Defending champion Raymond van Barneveld kept up his hunt for a fifth title, beating Scot Gary Anderson 4-1.


...that headline.

[Justin Credible]

[Justin Credible]

[Rogg]

What a front page that is. Love the caption on the bottom left pic: "Jocky on oche . . . he throws" ok thanks

[Rogg]

Scots duo Gary Anderson and Gary Robson take aim at darts world championships
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/othe ... femCXPY.97
2nd January 2009


SCOTTISH ace Gary Anderson and pal Gary Robson are the Men In Black heading on a mission to land the BDO World Championship crown.

Darts world No.1 Anderson is the top seed for the prestigious event that starts at the Lakeside Country Club tomorrow.

Robson, an adopted Scot from Tyneside, will also be in action as the MIBs look to dazzle their opposition.

Eyemouth ace Anderson and Robson, who plays county darts in Stirling and Falkirk, are hoping their space-age approach, taken from the Will Smith movie, can see them take centre stage.

Anderson gets the competition under way against dangerous Norwegian Robert Wagner and Robson starts the next day against Stephen Bunting as the pair look for a place in round two.

Scots Ross Montgomery and Mark Barilli are also in the field but Anderson is Scotland's best hope despite a frustrating tournament record that has seen him bite the dust at the first hurdle a couple of times.

He said: "The first round has always been a struggle for me and I've had some hard games against the likes of Tony O'Shea and Raymond van Barneveld.

"Robert is another toughie because he is very classy and a very heavy scorer. I just want to get that first win and then get into the tournament properly."

Anderson will wear his trademark black when he opens the tournament and Robson will do the same when he faces Bunting.

Robson said: "I turned pro in 2005 and Gary did the following year. We met our manager Davie Hanson and he got us a few bookings.

"The two Garys was quite a good gimmick. The next thing Iknew it had become the Men In Black! Gary and I always wore black shirts and it's a good little gimmick.


...gimmicks at the home of world darts, whatever next...

[Rogg]

Qualifier stuns Manley
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_s ... 616299.stm
30th December, 2002




World number six Peter "one dart" Manley has been knocked out of the World Championships by wild-card qualifier Simon Whitlock.

Manley had been expected to make light work of his second-round opponent but succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of a player known as "the wizard".

The 34-year-old Whitlock got off to a solid start, winning the first set in the deciding rubber.

His cause was further helped in the second set by superb accuracy on the doubles which saw him take a 2-0 lead. From there, Manley rarely challenged.

Afterwards a shellshocked Whitlock said: "I'm over the moon, I couldn't be any happier.

"That was a big highlight in my career. The last four months I've won four big tournaments in Australia and just being here is absolutely fantastic. I never ever thought I'd be here."

Whitlock warned his rivals in the last 16 that he still had more to offer for the rest of the competition.

He added: "I can play better than that. I think I can go all the way to the final."

[Rogg]

Wolfie still hungers for Eric Bristow's BDO world record
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/others ... ecord.html
31 December 2010


Martin Adams has his sights on Eric Bristow’s BDO record as the Lakeside World Darts Championship begins today.

‘Wolfie’ is the defending champion and is desperate to retain his crown so he can bid for a third successive title in 12 months time.

Adams, 54, said: ‘I have won it twice but not in successive years. I want the proper hat-trick — just like Eric did between 1984 and 1986.

‘It would be quite a landmark to win this time because it would mean I am one step closer to matching Eric.’ Bristow won the BDO crown five times and Adams said: ‘He is the best of all time for me. For a man to get through to two other Embassy finals having had dartitis is phenomenal.

‘I don’t think we will ever see another player do that. That was the talent of the man.’ Adams meets Tony West this afternoon at Frimley Green.


Unreal.

[M H]

Many memories in them stories, good work lads

[Justin Credible]

[Justin Credible]