Team Thorn 2024 Squad

[The Thorn]

GOLD MEMBERS:
Stephen Bunting
Jose de Sousa
Michael Smith
Joe Cullen
Steve Beaton

SILVER MEMBERS:
Dave Chisnall
Brett Claydon
Jonny Clayton
Rob Cross
Brendan Dolan
Luke Humphries
Cameron Menzies
Ryan Searle
Thibault Tricole
Richard Veenstra

BRONZE MEMBERS:
Andy Baetens
Matt Campbell
Gabriel Clemens
Chris Dobey
Daryl Gurney
Florian Hempel
James Hurrell
Haupai Puha
Benjamin Drue Reus
Josh Rock
Dom Taylor
Michele Turetta
Graham Usher
Jim Williams
Scott Williams

[The Thorn]

I'm pleased to announce the official 2024 lineup for Team Thorn. The team from now on follows a standardised format of 30 players. 5 gold, 10 silver and 15 bronze members.

Congratulations for all the new members and respect to the former members whose contract I haven't renewed for 2024. Below I will elaborate on the changes player by player.

[The Thorn]

New members:

Brett Claydon - I have been supporting Brett ever for a couple years now. I think Brett is a nice guy and I have seen a very nice tribute video for him that cemented my support for him. Congrats Brett for getting your tour card again.

Thibault Tricole - Thibault is the other newcomer besides Brett who is entering the team as a silver member. I have been following Thibault for a while, his exploits in WDF events especially, as a former world finalist I think he brings a good quality to the team. And he is aligned with my mission of having worldwide representation in the team. France is a promising darting country.

James Hurrell - Hillbilly is someone I didn't expect to get a card but I'm chuffed for him regardless. I think he will hold his own in the PDC especially in the floor events. Another WDF stalwart.

Haupai Puha - As the first New Zealand tour card holder he was always a shoe in. Representing darts around the globe, Haupai is actually a very good talent and I'm not just saying this to be different. Hopefully his mate Ben Robb can follow him next year.

Benjamin Drue Reus - As a much loved Danish member leaves the team, another one enters. Benjamin is currently the most exciting darting talent from the Nordic region and time is on his side. His ceiling is very high so he will do well in the PDC.

Dom Taylor - I mostly picked him because I think this lad is very special. Young player with huge potential and already massive experience in Modus, PDC, etc.

Michele Turetta - Don't know much about him but let's be fair. There was no way I can miss the first Italian tour card holder! Grazie!

Graham Usher - Graham has been on my radar, and I am promoting him to Team Thorn to prove I have space for older English players even if they didn't have the best year I am supporting Gusher.

[TheMalteseDart]

Almost a quarter of the tour

[Greipel]

No Jagicza here is frustrating a little bit.

[The Thorn]

Members leaving:

Tony Martinez - He will always have space in Team Thorn should he return to the PDC. He is my cult hero. I'm gutted.

Ross Montgomery - I don't think Ross will ever win a tour card again but fair play to him for trying and he actually did what many didn't expect. Had some memorable wins on tour even beating Gerwyn Price.

Corey Cadby - Disgrace.

Scott Waites - I think Scott is still good enough to play on the tour. He was unlucky to have lost his card. Definitely expect him to be competitive in WDF and Modus. And Seniors in a few years.

Mervyn King - Nothing against Merv however I had to make space for new recruits in the team for the sake of diversity. I wish Merv great success in 2024.

Christian Perez - Sad that he is not playing many events. Congratulations to him for his young child being born. However I think this will keep him from travelling so sadly decided to drop Christian from Team Thorn.

Jacques Labre - Jacques still has my support but on recent form he has not proved he is good enough. With Tricole entering the PDC it was an easy choice between the two.

Vladimir Andersen - I have seen big Vlad win live and that's what matters! Go on lad.

[The Thorn]

Almost a quarter of the tour

I truly love these players mate. Even then I had to make hard choices to cut King, Labre, Dennant, Lauby, Sedlacek and more

[The Thorn]

No Jagicza here is frustrating a little bit.

Team Thorn membership is only available to people with a PDC Tour Card.

[The Thorn]

Fucks sake I missed Baetens. Well now he will not be included as I don't want to offend any of the current members by kicking them out.

Baetens has a good chance to get in next year. Or if I have to remove a player mid year.

[The Crow]

A fine choice of players

Edited- Aside from Zombie Gurney

[Greipel]

No Jagicza here is frustrating a little bit.

Team Thorn membership is only available to people with a PDC Tour Card.

Maybe you could make a copper cathegory for the non tour card holders.

[The Thorn]

A fine choice of players

Thank you

[The Thorn]

No Jagicza here is frustrating a little bit.

Team Thorn membership is only available to people with a PDC Tour Card.

Maybe you could make a copper cathegory for the non tour card holders.

To be honest mate the team is already 30 players. It's big enough.

You know I am a big supporter of amateur darts. I will be supporting non TC holders through different initiatives.

[The Thorn]

Kim Huybrechts is removed from Team Thorn with immediate effect.

A replacement will be named in due course.

[The Thorn]

Kim Huybrechts is removed from Team Thorn with immediate effect.

A replacement will be named in due course.

I am pleased to announce Andy Baetens is entering Team Thorn as a Bronze member.

Andy is a current amateur world champion so the expectations are high.

I am committed to continuing my support of Belgian darts with this change.

[TheMalteseDart]

Kim Huybrechts is removed from Team Thorn with immediate effect.

A replacement will be named in due course.

I am pleased to announce Andy Baetens is entering Team Thorn as a Bronze member.

Andy is a current amateur world champion so the expectations are high.

I am committed to continuing my support of Belgian darts with this change.

Who did you want to win out of Claydon v Baetans?

[The Thorn]

Kim Huybrechts is removed from Team Thorn with immediate effect.

A replacement will be named in due course.

I am pleased to announce Andy Baetens is entering Team Thorn as a Bronze member.

Andy is a current amateur world champion so the expectations are high.

I am committed to continuing my support of Belgian darts with this change.

Who did you want to win out of Claydon v Baetans?

I would have been neutral regarding that particular game

[TheMalteseDart]

Kim Huybrechts is removed from Team Thorn with immediate effect.

A replacement will be named in due course.

I am pleased to announce Andy Baetens is entering Team Thorn as a Bronze member.

Andy is a current amateur world champion so the expectations are high.

I am committed to continuing my support of Belgian darts with this change.

Who did you want to win out of Claydon v Baetans?

I would have been neutral regarding that particular game

Boring cunt

[The Thorn]

Kim Huybrechts is removed from Team Thorn with immediate effect.

A replacement will be named in due course.

I am pleased to announce Andy Baetens is entering Team Thorn as a Bronze member.

Andy is a current amateur world champion so the expectations are high.

I am committed to continuing my support of Belgian darts with this change.

Who did you want to win out of Claydon v Baetans?

I would have been neutral regarding that particular game

Boring cunt

I wasn't following it live so it's hard to say