Pre-Split World Championship Seeds: 1978-1993

[PT13]

Gregory won a number of TV titles, the last one in 1995, but missing championship darts in 1992 at the World Championship and World Masters along with him returning to the BDO seemed to overshadow all that.

[Rogg]

This shows the final 10 editions of the unified BDO Worlds: 1984-1993.

And on the the far left, the first post-split edition in 1994.

This shows how badly damaged the BDO was by the split. It was a massacre.

See the purple boxes. 6 of the 8 'reigning' BDO seeds switched to the PDC (WDC) Worlds for 1994. Plus 5 former seeds.

As as result, an almost totally fresh collection of seeds appeared at the BDO Worlds in 1994.

[PT13]

And even Mike Gregory would have been the number 2 seed at the Circus Tavern for 1994, if he hadn't gone back to the BDO a few weeks earlier. His switch back was too late to play at the 1994 Embassy.

[Tommo]

Who the fuck is Dave Lee?

[Rogg]

Who the fuck is Dave Lee?

Nope. There's many in these old lists I've never heard of.

Here's a bit of him not quite beating Bristow in 83.

[Rogg]

Apart from Mike Gregory, the only seed at the 1993 BDO Worlds who didn't switch: Keith Sullivan.

Australian. No idea. Here he is in 92 playing God who has tucked in his tie. A strong look.

Sickening to see Fatz handling the waistcoat of senna's dreams. How vile.

[sennafan24]

Sickening to see Fatz handling the waistcoat of senna's dreams. How vile.

+1

[oche balboa]

A lot of the Rebels were falling away. Deller was one of those, Bobby George retired from darts in 1988 aside from exbos, Only came back because the BDO needed a big name

[Rogg]

A lot of the Rebels were falling away. Deller was one of those, Bobby George retired from darts in 1988 aside from exbos, Only came back because the BDO needed a big name

'A lot'...? Well...

Here's the complete pre-split BDO Worlds record of all 14 rebels, plus Gregory and Johns who choked on it.

There was plenty of life left in most of them. 10 of the 14 had reached a minimum of 1 QF in the 90s and the majority had done much more.

But Deller, granted. He hadn't played a lakey since '88.

[The Thorn]

Presenting Oche with facts, like pushing a camel through the eye of a needle

[oche balboa]

So 4 out of 14 "Best Players in the World" failed to qualify for Lakey?

I was right

[The Ginge Reaper]

4 out of 14 equals "a lot" now. Bizarre.

[Rogg]

and 1 of those 4 beat Taylor and Priestley to win the Matchplay in 96.

"falling away"

[oche balboa]

People can come back

Good to see Bradders once again here

[PT13]

A lot of the Rebels were falling away. Deller was one of those, Bobby George retired from darts in 1988 aside from exbos, Only came back because the BDO needed a big name

How many TV tournament winners pre-split were not one of the original rebels? Very few. A few of the rebels had lost some form compared to the past, granted, but other rebels were only just getting started, like Taylor, Priestley, Harrington, Warriner, and Gregory was arguably in his best form around this time.

[Ross, Bob]

A lot of the Rebels were falling away. Deller was one of those, Bobby George retired from darts in 1988 aside from exbos, Only came back because the BDO needed a big name

How many TV tournament winners pre-split were not one of the original rebels? Very few. A few of the rebels had lost some form compared to the past, granted, but other rebels were only just getting started, like Taylor, Priestley, Harrington, Warriner, and Gregory was arguably in his best form around this time.

Help me, I’m falling into a coma.

[Emulsfier]

A lot of the Rebels were falling away. Deller was one of those, Bobby George retired from darts in 1988 aside from exbos, Only came back because the BDO needed a big name

How many TV tournament winners pre-split were not one of the original rebels? Very few. A few of the rebels had lost some form compared to the past, granted, but other rebels were only just getting started, like Taylor, Priestley, Harrington, Warriner, and Gregory was arguably in his best form around this time.

Help me, I’m falling into a coma.

Try digitalis, ive heard it gets the heart pumping.

[The Thorn]

1993 is a long way away

[PT13]

1993 is a long way away

2050 is closer to us than 1993.

[The Thorn]

1993 is a long way away

2050 is closer to us than 1993.

To some of us.