OLD darts articles

[Rogg]

Some horrific sights on the wayback machine. Thanks JC. They seem to have shared a site header with the BNP in the early 2000s...

[Rogg]

Super Series of Darts 2011
http://bdo-darts.co.uk/super-series-of-darts-2011/
22nd July 2010


The International Darts Players Association (IDPA) and World Digital are pleased to announce the launch of a brand new and exciting series of Professional Darts Tournaments for 2011.

James Halliday of World Digital says:

“Its great to be finally announcing the innovative Super Series of Darts which will provide the professional players within the BDO/IDPA/WDF systems an opportunity to compete and develop at the highest levels of open competition.

We can now confirm that we are finalising the first season schedule that will consist of 11 monthly Tournaments which will see the top BDO/IDPA/WDF players compete in front of both a live audience and relayed globally through Digital Distribution bringing the sport of darts direct to audiences and darts fans regularly”

“It will create a new and regular series of mid-week events on a monthly basis throughout the year, generating not only more prize money, but also increased exposure and prestige for both the sport and its professional players to a global internet audience. This has always been the key objective of our partnership with the IDPA and I am delighted that it is coming to fruition for 2011”

Full coverage of the Super Series of Darts will be available both live and on-demand through a number of internet partners, with highlight packages also being planned for broadcast through a number of media channels.

The World Digital/IDPA partnership is also pleased to announce that darts fans will be able to keep up to date with all the action on a FREE-2-VIEW platform, providing more darts content than ever before.

Martin Fitzmaurice, CEO of the IDPA says:

“The IDPA Super Series of Darts will be staged with a seeded structure and players will earn points through a results bases system. 2011 will represent the first season and the IDPA will select the initial seeding based on calculations across IDPA, BDO and WDF rankings and all Tournaments will be played within a matchplay format

“Needless to say, everyone within the IDPA is delighted that we are presenting this brand new series with World Digital for the benefit of IDPA, BDO and WDF players, and more announcements will be made in the future.”

Venues for the Super Series of Darts will be spread around the UK with Lakeside being confirmed as one of our hosts.

Bob Potter Proprietor of the Lakeside Country Club says

“We are proud to be involved with this new series of dart events and look forward to having the stars of the IDPA/BDO/WDF here at the Home of World Darts.”

[Justin Credible]

Some horrific sights on the wayback machine. Thanks JC. They seem to have shared a site header with the BNP in the early 2000s...

[The Ginge Reaper]

God bless the Super Series.

[Justin Credible]

God bless the Super Series.

The bdo version of the Premier League

[cannibal]

I enjoy this, as I only got into following darts as a fan in 2007. Reading the older articles very interesting.

How many ideas or events has the BDO had that were supposedly in the final stages of planning, sponsors lined up allegedly, and then nothing came of it? Obviously the BDO learned nothing from the super series crap back in 2011.

[cannibal]

Would love to know how many of these sponsors lost money because the events never happened. Is it any wonder the BDO can't get sponsors.

[Rogg]

How many ideas or events has the BDO had that were supposedly in the final stages of planning, sponsors lined up allegedly, and then nothing came of it? Obviously the BDO learned nothing from the super series crap back in 2011.

An amazing three just recently, starting with the bloody Super Series in 2011. Eleven tournaments staged on a monthly basis, the BDO's answer to the Premier League, and a major advance in coverage and prize money. Fatz said "more announcements will be made in the future"... still waiting for those 5 and a half years later.

'BDO Events' then turned up three years after that. Scott Newhouse was a nice version prequel of Warren:

"The World Trophy [2014] is the first in a year-long programme for BDO Events culminating in the Super Series in July... BDO Events has a five-year plan to bring about change and has already secured Blackpool Tower for the five years for the World Trophy and the Super Series final."

Auntie Sue called it "a new chapter". Scott Waites called it "a new era". They did at least hold two editions of the World Trophy, via flushing a 6-figure sum down the toilet. The Super Series part never happened. At all. Again. The five-year plan was abandoned inside two, and hopefully they remembered to tell Blackpool Tower.

Then, with impeccable timing, along came De:Luxe. They also had a 'five-year plan' and a 'new era'...

Outrageous.

[Tommo]

Silly cunts.

[M H]

Would love to know how many of these sponsors lost money because the events never happened. Is it any wonder the BDO can't get sponsors.

More likely no sponsor was interested so no money lost

[Rogg]

LAKESIDE SOLD-OUT YET AGAIN!
https://web.archive.org/web/20021205181 ... sold03.htm
5th December 2002


THE EMBASSY WORLD PROFESSIONAL DARTS CHAMPIONSHIPS will once again have capacity audiences for every single one of its nine days at Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green – the true home of World Darts – from January 4th to 12th, 2003. The box-office became so inundated with ticket applications that it had to close the shutters at the end of September.

“The demand, as always, has been simply incredible”, says BDO PR Consultant Robert Holmes. “Many fans have booked the entire week as a darts holiday, others have gone for the last four days, while the rest have managed to get single sessions.

“Lakeside has operated a system of priorities for bookings in order to keep pace with the huge numbers of ticket applications. But the deluge was bigger than even they could have anticipated! They had to suspend telephone bookings because the staff simply couldn’t cope with the huge number of calls coming in day and night. Mind you, they weren’t complaining. It’s a nice problem to have!

“As the country’s leading cabaret club, Lakeside is used to having superstar bill-toppers, but they are the first to admit that there isn’t a bill-topper around that can beat the Embassy for box-office business”.

The International Play-Offs for Embassy 2003 will take place at The Spa Royal Hall on October 31st, and the live draw will be in the same venue on Sunday, November 3rd. It will be made by reigning Embassy World Snooker Champion Peter Ebdon and double Embassy World Women’s Darts Champion Trina Gulliver live on BBC TV’s ‘Sunday Grandstand’ before the final of the 2002 Winmau World Masters Men’s Singles.

The Embassy World Professional Darts Championships will be played at Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green from January 4th to 12th, 2003, and televised for nine consecutive days by BBC TV Sport and Dutch broadcasters SBS-6. It is sponsored by Imperial Tobacco Ltd and staged and promoted by the British Darts Organisation.

[Rogg]

PDC GOES DUTCH FOR A FURTHER THREE YEARS
https://web.archive.org/web/20030421142 ... 34790&Nv=1
21st April 2003


Dutch television giants RTL have signed a three year deal with the PDC and Sky Sports to broadcast their major events and take the Premiership of Darts into Holland on a regular basis.

Following the run-away success of the live broadcast in the Netherlands of this year’s Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, RTL have decided to team up with the PDC in a long term deal; one that is certain to be the perfect partnership as the organisation continues to strive to enhance the professional game on a global level.

Nearly a million viewers in Holland tuned into the Final between John Part and Phil Taylor at the Circus Tavern earlier this year – an astonishing total considering this was the first time that Dutch darts fans had been given the opportunity to watch the action direct from Purfleet.

The inaugural UK Open, the Las Vegas Desert Classic II, the Stan James World Matchplay, the Paddy Power World Grand Prix and of course the flagship event the Ladbrokes.com World Championship will all be beamed back to the Netherlands providing a darts loving nation with the chance to be treated to the very best the sport has to offer.

RTL will take a live feed from all five events, adding their own commentary and will have reporters on site at all events to guarantee Dutch viewers the highest quality coverage.

For PDC Chairman Barry Hearn the continuation of the relationship between the PDC and RTL is a confirmation that PDC darts have a global appeal:

“RTL and the PDC will be working hand in hand over the next three years to ensure that Dutch darts fans have the opportunity to watch the best players in the world on a regular basis.

“With so many fans of the sport in Holland it is crucial that the PDC increase our presence there and with RTL going into 98% of the nation’s homes, there could be no better partnership for us.”

Sentiments reiterated by RTL5 Chief Executive Jaap Hofman:

“We were delighted by the way Dutch viewers received the Ladbrokes.com World Championship and it is important for us to build on that success.

“The PDC players put on a performance that impressed everyone back home and we want to make sure they are treated to more of the same on a regular basis.”

[Rogg]

I remember this well... Scholten being a complete wanker, Harrington spitting bile and kicking the table.


ROD SENDS SCHOLTEN PACKING
https://web.archive.org/web/20030729034 ... 28646&Nv=1
1st January 2001




Rod 'Prince of Style' Harrington came from behind, to beat flying Dutchman, Roland Scholten, 4 sets to 2 and move into the semi-final.

Harrington meant business in the first set, making short work of the Dutchman, 3-0 and take a one set lead.

These two played in the first round of the World Matchplay this year, where Scholten ran the former world number one close and signaled his intention to do so again, by winning the second and third sets, 3-2, and 3-1.

Harrington however, has a champion's mentality and hit some gutsy doubles, including a D16 to checkout and tie the match 2 sets all - racking up three maximums en route.

Scholten began to take an age to throw between darts, pausing repeatedly to compose himself. It wasn't completely clear whether it was gamesmanship or genuine tension from the Dutchman, but it made for interesting viewing.

Whatever his thinking was, it didn't shake Harrington, who waited patiently, as Scholten thought through each throw, and stepped up to win the fifth set 3-1.

In the sixth set, Scholten's concentration went astray. Harrington on the other hand was complete focussed and finished the match off with aggressive darts.

Scoring sequence - Rod Harrington 4 v Roland Scholten 2:

3-0, 2-3, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1

[Rogg]

START OF THE ICE AGE?
https://web.archive.org/web/20030304065 ... 67660&Nv=1
31st October 2001


Now that the reality of becoming the 2001 Paddy Power World Grand Prix Champion has sunk in, Alan 'The Ice Man' Warriner reflects on what has been and what's to come - including a potential Ice Age?

It was a long time coming for Alan Warriner, but when he lifted the World Grand Prix trophy last Sunday, the memory of a quartet of losing finals was erased and replaced with the high of being a PDC world title holder.

"I've had the highs and the lows of the game," Warriner told Sky Sports News. "I've had my chances in four world finals before now, unfortunately I didn't come through in any, but this time it was my turn."

With Warriner's victory and Phil Taylor's first defeat in two years comes the inevitable theorising that perhaps the era of The Power has come to an end. Wozza on the other hand, knows better and is warning his fellow pros to watch out for a backlash from Taylor.

"You always get it when a world champion loses, the critics say this is the end, blah, blah, blah. All the players know that that's not the case with Phil.

"He's still the man to beat. He's the most consistent player."

Warriner may be wise enough to know The Power will be back bigger and better than ever but he's still determined to focus himself on trying to make it two-in-a-row come the turn of the year and the Skol World Championships.

"I want to win everything now. I've got the bug of winning I suppose and sometimes when you get on a roll it's hard to stop. It's happened with Phil Taylor but I think they will be a bit more scared of me now.

"It could be the Ice Age !"

[Rogg]

CROFT INDIFFERENT?
https://web.archive.org/web/20030728004 ... 71103&Nv=1
26th November 2001


The British Darts Organisation's Olly Croft told planetdarts.co.uk that he felt 'indifferent' at hearing that six of his top name players have defected from the Embassy in favour of the PDC's Skol World Championships. However his declaration that the 'Skol six' would merely have made up the numbers at the Lakeside suggests their decision to defect has caused fury rather than apathy at the BDO.

Earlier today the PDC announced that six of the sport's top names, in the form of Chris Mason, Ronnie Baxter, Steve Beaton, Peter Manley, Andy Jenkins and Kevin Painter had turned down invitations to compete in the Embassy, in order to take up places in the Skol Championships.

The PDC quite naturally are delighted at what they see as a coup and a reward for extending the boundaries of darts coverage, but supposedly for Croft it merits little more than a shrug of the shoulders?

"There isn't really a story here is there? We have darts players moving from one team to another, footballers move from one team to another all the time, so I don't see what the problem is?

"We're not that concerned really. The PDC have apparently said that they intend to see off the BDO in twelve months. They have taken just six players, we've still got another 25,000."

Of course the truth of the matter is that the BDO must now replace those six, with players who didn't initially make the grade for the Embassy, which arguably waters down the standard of the BDO's big event.

Not so says Croft.

"It doesn't weaken the Embassy. When fifteen of them turned away in 1993 it strengthened our tournament by bringing in another generation of players. We've got a conveyor belt of players. It will give it another fresh look. We're just not concerned."

The reality is that Croft is protesting too much when he says he doesn't care that the BDO have lost six such high quality players. Indeed his suggestion that all six would have flunked at the Embassy in 2002 is quite simply laughable.

"We have millions of players all over the world. The players they (the PDC) took probably wouldn't get past the first round of the Embassy."

The absurdity of this statement is staggering. Beaton was the Embassy champion in 1996, while Baxter has been runner-up twice in the last three years. Mason reached the semis in 2000 and Painter has been knocking at the door in reaching the last eight for the last two years.

Croft's real feelings become clear when it is suggested that players would return to the BDO should the BBC up the number of tournaments they cover on TV, in the light of this weekend's Winmau Masters broadcast.

"I don't want them back !"

Indifferent indeed...

A much more balanced view on the matter comes from Executive Producer of BBC Darts coverage, Malcolm Kemp, who believes that the defections will hit both the BDO and BBC darts coverage hard.

"It's a little bit of a surprise and it is a little disappointing but that is the world of professional sport I suppose.

"I think is damaging to the Embassy, as we've lost some very recognised players. Players who have made a real impact on the Embassy in the last three or four years and one of them has been a winner.

"We've also lost some personalities there, whether people like them or don't like them they are recognisable people. You can't just replace recognisable people with unknowns and say it is the same and that nothing has changed."

The decision of these six players to make a move signals perhaps the most significant sea-change in the sport since the split between the PDC and BDO in 1993. Without a doubt there is more to come from both sides on this matter.

[Rogg]

^^^^
interesting one. A little bitchy, and on the PDC's official site at the time. More than a little bitchy, aggressive in places.

[Rogg]

HEARN STEPS UP TO THE OCHE
https://web.archive.org/web/20030729071 ... 53377&Nv=1
30th July 2001


Leading sports promoter and manager Barry Hearn has accepted an invitation to become Chairman of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).

In addition, due to the expansion of the PDC, former CEO and Event Director Dick Allix has decided to step aside from the Chief Executive role to concentrate solely on Event Director. Tim Darby, formerly of United Racecourses, will take over as CEO to build on the current standing of Professional Darts.

Barry Hearn has made a major impact on several sports in the United Kingdom and overseas since he became manager of an up and coming young snooker player called Steve Davis back in 1976. Hearn, a qualified accountant used his undoubted business skills to change the face of snooker and help turn it into the multimillion-pound game it is today.

Barry has also had a major involvement in the world of boxing and has managed World Champions Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn and Steve Collins. He has also been heavily involved in developing Pool and Fishing as major televised sports. In 1995 he became Chairman of Leyton Orient Football Club.

Now it is the turn of darts to benefit from the Barry Hearn magic. He has had an involvement with the PDC for over six years and in that time has been responsible for securing over 150 hours of live coverage per year on Sky Television plus coverage for the sport in over twenty other countries.

Due to the rapid growth planned for the PDC, Hearn has been appointed Chairman to fulfil the five-year expansion plan put in place to carry darts to levels never before reached.

“I am delighted to be taking on this new challenge,” said Hearn. “Darts is the sport of this millennium. My visits to parts of Europe, and the Far East in particular, have shown just how much enthusiasm there is for the sport.

"The current crop of top PDC players are genuine sports stars with unique ability. I intend to give them the profile they deserve to turn them into superstars. The PDC are also committed to bringing on the next generation of stars and several of those players will undoubtedly be coming from the Asian continent. This will lead to a television boom the likes of which we’ve not seen since the explosion of snooker!”

Hearn takes up the appointment with immediate effect.

They will be joined on the Board by City guru Tim Allen who throughout his sixteen years at Williams Holdings PLC was responsible for heading up over fifty major acquisitions throughout the world, and is now keen to apply his experience to guide darts to further prominence.

Barry Hearn, Tim Darby and Tim Allen will join previous Board members Edward Lowy, Chairman of Unicorn, and Financial Director of the PDC, David Pomfret, Deputy Chief Executive of the Sports Industries Federation.

Former Chairman Mike Titmus and former CEO Dick Allix will sit on the Executive Board of the PDC. Also on the Executive Board are Tournament Director Tommy Cox, Professional Darts Player Association Representative Dennis Priestley, John Raby, Olly Seton and Board members David Pomfret and Tim Darby. The Executive Committee will be responsible for the day-to-day activity but will report into the Board.

[Rogg]

Due to the rapid growth planned for the PDC, Hearn has been appointed Chairman to fulfil the five-year expansion plan put in place to carry darts to levels never before reached.

Any lu- oh wait. A five-year plan that went a little better than Scott and Warren's...

[Justin Credible]

Due to the rapid growth planned for the PDC, Hearn has been appointed Chairman to fulfil the five-year expansion plan put in place to carry darts to levels never before reached.

Any lu- oh wait. A five-year plan that went a little better than Scott and Warren's...

the 5 years is up, the expansion happened, and now the fuckers wont stop expanding.......what bastards they are

[Rogg]

PDC RAISES THE STAKES
25th October 2001
https://web.archive.org/web/20030729070 ... 66654&Nv=1


With The Paddy Power World Grand Prix well and truly underway, the Professional Darts Corporation have announced a number of new developments for the sport including a 60% increase in prize money for the 2001/02 Skol World Championships.

During a meeting with the Professional Darts Players Association, the PDC's Chairman Barry Hearn, outlined how the PDC aimed to alter the structure of the professional game and give players more opportunities to compete and win prize money.

The main changes announced were:

*An increase in prize-money for the Skol World Championship to £200,000 (from £125,000 in 2001) with the first-prize being £50,000, making the tournament the richest in the world

*The introduction of nine new events starting in July 2002, taking place in Great Britain and mainland Europe

*A new ranking system which will come into effect following the completion of the 2002 Skol World Championship

*The introduction of the PDC British Open to be staged in 2003 -------------> the original name for The UK Open, presumably.

*A minimum of two new overseas events to be introduced in 2002 launching the PDC's World Series of Darts

http://www.planetdarts.co.uk will bring you further details of the new developments in the coming months...stayed tuned...