Hearn becomes PDC chairman - July 2001 [Article]

[wintergardener]

Yeah I meant he carried on the work the 14 'rebel's started obviously I didnt word it very well. Point still stands though, the game as a TV sport would be dead today but for the split.

The irony is that what the PDC is today could have all been done within the BDO if the BDO hadn't had been so ridiculously intransigent. Marcus Robertson was one of the PR guys at the time of the split helping the WDC to change darts' image of boozy, fat blokes etc. that turned sponsors away. Robertson had initially gone to see Olly Croft about helping with darts' image problem, but Croft acted as if Robertson had wanted to take over darts.

And that's still their problem today. Worried about losing power in their own personal fiefdoms.

[Rogg]

Croft comes across as a fucking maniac to be fair. A PR firm and of course the players themselves were told to shove it and worse. Even Sky Sports' first move into darts was to approach Croft, wasn't it? It could have been beautiful.

[PT13]

Croft comes across as a fucking maniac to be fair. A PR firm and of course the players themselves were told to shove it and worse. Even Sky Sports' first move into darts was to approach Croft, wasn't it? It could have been beautiful.

Sky Sports and the BDO did some business together too. Rod Harrington's and Dennis Priestley's World Masters wins in 1991 and 1992 respectively, were broadcast on the Sky Sports channel. Although these certainly didn't have the production values, loud music, walk-on girls etc. that were introduced with WDC darts at the time of the 1994 World Championship.

[Rogg]

Croft comes across as a fucking maniac to be fair. A PR firm and of course the players themselves were told to shove it and worse. Even Sky Sports' first move into darts was to approach Croft, wasn't it? It could have been beautiful.

Sky Sports and the BDO did some business together too. Rod Harrington's and Dennis Priestley's World Masters wins in 1991 and 1992 respectively, were broadcast on the Sky Sports channel. Although these certainly didn't have the production values, loud music, walk-on girls etc. that were introduced with WDC darts at the time of the 1994 World Championship.

Vibrant (modern, not long-live-the-80s) production values seem to follow the PDC wherever they go, strange that. The BBC are also about to show what they could have been doing with darts for years. I can't wait, me. Why did Lakeside need to look and feel so quaint for so long, 'qualities' that had LONG since stopped coming across as 'charming' etc.

[An Cat Dubh]

Lakeside looked alright during the 90's and even up to the mid 00's. They used to have a studio for player interviews and the whole presentation was decent. At some point they seem to stop treating it seriously and started with the interviews in the bar with players skulling pints in the background.

[Justin Credible]

looking at your signature wonder how much of a coincidence it is that punks retirement from wrestling coincided with nicholsons fall from grace

[fandarts]

And by late 2001, Barry Hearn was telling the players who played in PDC televised events but at Lakeshite rather than the Circus Tavern, to play at the Circus Tavern from 2002 onwards in order to continue being eligible for other PDC televised tournaments. The result was the Skol Six defections in late 2001, when Steve Beaton, Ronnie Baxter, Kevin Painter, Chris Mason, Andy Jenkins and Paul Williams all switched to playing in the PDC World Championship for the 2002 tournament.

Martin Adams famously refused, and had nothing to do with the PDC for 14 years afterwards. He also turned down his invitation to the Grand Slam of Darts for 3 straight years from 2007-2009. I can understand why he refused in 2007, as BDO players invited to the Grand Slam had to choose between the Grand Slam and the World Masters (as the events clashed), but all accept Adams accepted the invitation to the Grand Slam in 2007 regardless. In 2008 and 2009, the events didn't clash, yet Adams refused the Grand Slam invitation again.

mongs here would have you believe marto was spineless, in fact he was a man of principle, he answered the call in 2015 though when the bdo came knocking for him, and went on a fabulous run in the gsod winning 75% of his games

[fandarts]

Croft comes across as a fucking maniac to be fair. A PR firm and of course the players themselves were told to shove it and worse. Even Sky Sports' first move into darts was to approach Croft, wasn't it? It could have been beautiful.

Sky Sports and the BDO did some business together too. Rod Harrington's and Dennis Priestley's World Masters wins in 1991 and 1992 respectively, were broadcast on the Sky Sports channel. Although these certainly didn't have the production values, loud music, walk-on girls etc. that were introduced with WDC darts at the time of the 1994 World Championship.

Vibrant (modern, not long-live-the-80s) production values seem to follow the PDC wherever they go, strange that. The BBC are also about to show what they could have been doing with darts for years. I can't wait, me. Why did Lakeshite need to look and feel so quaint for so long, 'qualities' that had LONG since stopped coming across as 'charming' etc.

darts is about throwing missiles at a board in a respectful manner , not feeling a walk on girls ass and licking your finger after, ala phil taylor.nice wave to the crowd bdo style and get on with your game is the right etiquette to adopt.

[sennafan24]

darts is about throwing missiles at a board in a respectful manner , not feeling a walk on girls ass and licking your finger after, ala phil taylor.nice wave to the crowd bdo style and get on with your game is the right etiquette to adopt.

You've not missed a step mate.

[M H]

Croft comes across as a fucking maniac to be fair. A PR firm and of course the players themselves were told to shove it and worse. Even Sky Sports' first move into darts was to approach Croft, wasn't it? It could have been beautiful.

Sky Sports and the BDO did some business together too. Rod Harrington's and Dennis Priestley's World Masters wins in 1991 and 1992 respectively, were broadcast on the Sky Sports channel. Although these certainly didn't have the production values, loud music, walk-on girls etc. that were introduced with WDC darts at the time of the 1994 World Championship.

Vibrant (modern, not long-live-the-80s) production values seem to follow the PDC wherever they go, strange that. The BBC are also about to show what they could have been doing with darts for years. I can't wait, me. Why did Lakeshite need to look and feel so quaint for so long, 'qualities' that had LONG since stopped coming across as 'charming' etc.

darts is about throwing missiles at a board in a respectful manner , not feeling a walk on girls ass and licking your finger after, ala phil taylor.nice wave to the crowd bdo style and get on with your game is the right etiquette to adopt.

Wartless ignores the walk on girls and goes straight for the presenter

[Justin Credible]

[cannibal]

Amazing what can happen when one actually does real business in the real world with real deals that benefit people involved. Split in darts best thing to happen to darts. Would have never got real business people involved if they were still sitting around a table on Muswell Hill trying to figure out how not to owe the players a living.

[Justin Credible]

stop.

Remember the pdc are cunts

[cannibal]

how does the old adage go? show me a businessman and I will show you a cunt........
First rule of business from the Olly Croft book of business "you don't owe anyone a living"

[Rogg]

Article in the opening post.

This was where it all began for Uncle Baz. Almost 20 years ago, woof. We've seen a thing or two...

[tungsten tossers]

I am sure his twitter "friend" Colin Richardson will send him a nice retirement message..

[Rogg]

I am sure his twitter "friend" Colin Richardson will send him a nice retirement message..

Dear old Colin's beloved hash tag '#HearnOut' finally came true, hooray!
Now for the bad news...

[SuperSwede]

I am sure his twitter "friend" Colin Richardson will send him a nice retirement message..

Dear old Colin's beloved hash tag '#HearnOut' finally came true, hooray!
Now for the bad news...

the king is dead....