Interview with Paul Hogan – Could an Outsider win the 2014 Lakeside Professional Darts Championship?

Paul agreed to meet me in Rileys Norwich where he was representing Berkshire in a BICC match against Norfolk. He won his game, the match was an 18-18 draw.

 

GH – Hi Paul thank-you for agreeing to do this interview with me– When did you start playing darts?

PH – I started playing when I was seventeen, I didn’t really enjoy it at first but it grew on me. I went from playing for fun to pub league, super league then county and finally I represented England.

GH – This isn’t the first time you’ve qualified for the finals of the World Championship is it?

PH – No, this is the 7^th time I’ve qualified. I have reached the quarter finals twice. In fact I got to the quarter final in my first year of qualifying, 1995, before losing to Richie Burnett who went on to become the champion. I was beaten in the 2^nd round by the defending champion in 2004 and the following year it was Jelle Klaasen who knocked me out in the quarters.

GH – How was the Hull play-offs this year?

PH – It was a well organised and well run tournament. In the past we’ve played in some inappropriate venues but this one was fine. We played in an ice rink one year and it was obviously freezing.

GH – How did you play in Hull?

PH – I played really well all the way through. I beat some good players – including Scotland’s Gary Stone who qualified in 2012 and 2013. After I won my last game I was getting ready to play another before I was told that was it, I’d qualified.

GH - I bet you wished you could just carry on into the finals instead of a 2 month break.

PH – yes and no. It would have been good while I was playing well but my form has stayed with me for some time now.

GH – Yes, as well as qualifying at Hull you’ve won the Buck’s Easter Open and the BDO Gold Cup in 2013.

GH – Have you changed your practice or playing routine since qualifying?

PH – No, I’ve been playing darts a long time now so I know what I need to do. My routine has got me this far so I’ll continue as I do. Hopefully my routine and experience will take me further.

GH – What are your thoughts on the finals?

PH – I’m going in there with experience – I’ve been 6 times before and reached the quarter finals twice. People won’t want to play me; they know what I’m capable of. No matter who I play I will keep going and going and going.

I’m really looking forward to it.

GH – What about the draw, are you happy with it?

PH – Yes, I listened to it streamed on my computer. I don’t know much about Karel Sedlacek the Czech who I play in the prelims. I looked him up on the internet. You know that whoever you are drawn against will be a good player.

GH – When you’re there do you plan to watch other games?

PH – Not really, I just want to get on with my practice and my games. I will have enough to focus on with concentrating on what I am doing.

GH – Is anybody going with you for support?

PH – Yes my wife attends lots of my tournaments. She will be more nervous than me.

GH – Is your hotel booked?

PH – I don’t know yet, the BDO do all that. I don’t know when I go, where I’m staying or when I’m playing yet.

Thanks Paul. I wish you all the best at Lakeside. If you play how you know you can and enjoy it, we know you can go a long way. You can beat anybody on your day.