Why Darts?

I've been interested in darts for many years. We had a board up at home when I was young where me and my brother used to have a throw but not as well as my Mum and Dad. When I was a teenager my mum played darts for the local pub - The Rose of Lancaster, in a ladies league. I occasionally went to watch but not very often.

I left home to join the RAF Regiment in 1984 and often met my Mum and Dad in the Rose for a game of darts when visiting at a weekend. It was during these visits that I started to learn different games and different rules. Singles, pairs and team games. As well as games there were challenges and bets using dart skills. I married a girl who lived about 8 miles from where I was brought up. When I visited pubs near her house they were using a totally different board, the Manchester Board, smaller, no trebles and only a single bull.

 

The Manchester "Log End" Board

I played for my first team when I moved to Germany with the RAF. I represented my squadron in the RAF Bruggen Inter-Section League. This was where I won my first trophies - individual 180 medals, pairs champions trophy and team league winners. By now I was truly gripped.

I started organising darts marathons for charity in Germany and in the Falkland Islands. I started a service league in the Falklands as well as playing a couple of games for the Globe Public House in Port Stanley.
On returning to Germany I was selected to represent RAF Bruggen in the Super League, I'd gone up a level.
My next posting was to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, I played for the Osprey there in a local league.
Wherever I went, I played darts. If I was in a town I'd never been in before, I could walk into a pub and throw some darts. People would challenge me and win or lose I'd made new friends. If others were on the board when I walked in, I could play the winner and again - new friends.

By the time I was posted back to Germany I was captaining teams and organising leagues. I had played Eric Bristow in an exhibition. I won the player of the night against Bobby George in another exhibition, I had 32 left when Bobby checked out on 140!

After leaving the RAF I settled in Norfolk. I played in pub leagues three nights a week. I took over the administration of one of those leagues. I later played super league and eventually took charge of my super league team.

The highest I got in the darts world - up to now - was to be asked to take the position of General Secretary for Norfolk darts. A role I did for five years and one I had to give up due to moving to London for work. I was selected and represented Norfolk at darts 3 times.

 

 At Rileys Norwich - The Home of Norfolk Darts

My son and daughter both represented Norfolk Youth darts and played super league. My son was also selected as a Norfolk reserve. My brother played for his local pub. My wife has played up to super league and won a holiday competition.

Darts has played a big part of my life and it will for a long time to come. In the weeks to come I will share my interest with you. from pub darts to internationals, the fun of darts and the politics.