My darts website really taking off

Steve Grubb and Dave Ahmet - two darts pro's who I now call mates

I thought I’d find time while watching the British Golf Open to write a quick update about my golf website; Darts, Beers & Cheers! .

Since creating the darts fansite back in January (2010) I have posted several hundred updates and articles, sharing news on the PDC (and some BDO) darts scene.  I now have around 15 interviews, with darts players, darts officials, and even the more glamorous side of the darts, the ‘walk on girl’.

Recent interviews include such famous players as Mervyn King, Simon Whitlock, and Sky Sports presenter Dave Clark.

Because of my website I have become friends with a number of professional darts players, and am invited along to the PDC Pro tour (non public darts tournaments, where only some 120+ dart pros and their guests are allowed).   I am often in contact with the press officer of the PDC (Dave Allen), and have been working with Bravo TV to help publicise their upcoming European Darts Championship show.

It’s keeping me very busy, with a lot of my spare time chatting with players, darts fans, and watching darts in person or on TV.  It’s great stuff being able to combine my love of Darts and my technical and writing abilities.

Here’s an article I wrote after attending a press event in London where I got to chat with Barry Hearn, Dave Gorman (the comedian and writer), and even GOT TO PLAY PHIL ‘the power’ TAYLOR! Oh yes!

Who knows where it will end up!?

Day at the Darts 2010 Championships

Another long, tiring, and fun day at the darts is over – and I’m sitting at home watching todays games while writing this – Darts isn’t just for Xmas, its for the new year too!

The three of us set off at 9am, and after a traffic free drive arrived at Alexandra Palace about 10:45am – plenty of time before the noon doors open.  Luckily we are now old vets of the worlds, and knew to get ourselves to the 180 bar on the outside of the Ally Pally, for a pint and some grub.

It's breakfast time - plus our first beer of the day

One cracking breakfast bun later (top notch), we settled down in the only seats in the bar to savour our pints and watch the darts fans roll in.  This was the calm before the storm

Ross with a 4 pint pitcher of beer

We made our way in through the hallowed doors just after noon – and as luck would have it, there were no queues to speak of.  First things first, we found our seats – claiming out table 1, row G, seats 1,2 and 3 best seats in the house   If anything it’s a bit close, as you can’t see the board because the players are in the way.

The beer came in 4 pint pitchers – and even better there were ‘beer people’ walking round with beer kegs on their backs serving top ups, quality!  I think we got through about 3 of them during the morning session – not bad as only two of us were drinking

Lee chilling by the stage next to our front row seats

180 cards at the ready, room filling up with fans

We wrote out our 180 cards (a benefit of turning up early is getting your hands on the cards) – the usual rubbish to try and catch the camera’s eye.  The crowd filled up quickly, but luckily it wasn’t too hot (although it heated up in the evening – getting uncomfortably hot as it often does).

First game up, Andy ‘The Hammer’ Hamilton vs.  the veteran Steve ‘The Adonis’ Beaton.  It felt like neither player were at their best, but the hammer was too strong. Being right at the front we managed to catch Andy’s eye as he celebrated, and he threw his darts flights in our direction, and Lee managed to catch one before the scrum descended.

Andy 'The Hammer' Hamilton

The second game was between crowd favourite, Terry ‘The Bull’ Jenkins, who really seems like a nice bloke, vs. American Darin ‘Big Daddy’ Young.  The crowd really got into this game – with a lot of ‘Eng-ger-land’ chanting going on.  Darin seemed to take it in good humour – especially

Darin Young, definitely a big daddy!

when the humour turned to question if he had any relationships with Tiger Woods… Darin shouted back at the crowd; “He’s slept with everyone in America” which got a good laugh.

Jenkins was far too strong though, and Darin looked a bit crestfallen as he was soundly beaten.

Jenkins shows us why he is 'the bull'

One of the highlights of the darts is of course the walk on girls (well it is if you’re a red blooded guy!   ).  Luckily we were treated to PDC favourite Nicola Cowell, and the just as lovely Sarah Tunnicliffe.  They looked cracking in their outfits – quite classy dresses too, and to be honest, thank god the dancers weren’t there – I wasn’t a fan of them prancing about.

Nicola Cowell adding some much needed glamour to the show.

Last game of the morning session was Wayne Jones vs. the Aussie Simon Whitlock – a real dark horse!

Simon Whitlock and Wayne Jones shake hands

We ignored the betting odds giving us a clue, and bet on Wayne, as the odds were good for any sets win.  We thought it would be closer than it was – but Simon Whitlock was on top form – he really concentrates with a full on intensity.  His doubles and accuracy is breathtaking at times.  (note: he’s gone on through the next round too!  Joining the UK circuit next year).

The session ended in good time – by 5pm, so we got some EXPENSIVE chips from the van outside (£7.50 for fish n chips?? they were having a laugh), and sat in the car for an hour to get out of the rain.

Doors re-open at 6pm, so we rushed back – ready for a big evening.  The morning session had felt a little disappointing – the games were a bit one sided or lacking in quality – but we had high hopes for the later games.

Van Gerwin vs. Wade kicked off, and we swapped to pints of cider to pick us up too.  If you are going along – I recommend the pies – the chicken balti was a cracker    As we thought, Wade was too good for the dutch player – it’s a shame that Mighty Mike hasn’t yet had the results that was expected of him when he first joined the PDC.

James Wade salutes the crowd

I thought James Wade had the best reception at a worlds yet – the crowd on the most part where cheering him (I’ve seen him booed a fair bit previously) – and I think he appreciated the support.

Clearing the throat to announce THE POWER

Then it was time for the big one – and the room was really buzzing as Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor made his entrance.  To be honest the wall of sound and singing of Phil’s name really appeared to daunt his opponent, Robert Thornton.  You here the commentators say that a player is beat before they throw a dart, and it really looked that way.

Phil Taylor stalks while Robert Thornton throws

It can’t be easy playing a legend on top form, especially when the entire crowd is against you (more ‘Eng-ger-land’ chants to annoy the Scottish Thornton).

My feeling was right, and Phil won quite easilly – showing everyone that he is still determined to win his 15th world championship!  The ‘winter wonderland’ song filling the hall.

Then onto the last, and I think easily the best game of the night, Adrian Lewis vs. Kevin McDine.  I predicted a lot of 180′s to my brother, and wasn’t wrong!  Not sure how many there were, but I think there was at least 12 by Lewis.  The atmosphere was fantastic, the crowd roaring and filling the room with sound.  Lewis really was on top form, at one point we could see he’d got to an average of 108+!!   The standard dipped later on, possibly due to the crowd ‘going nuts’ – singing a tune over and over again – thumping on tables the works.  It did annoy Lewis – possibly because he thought it was aimed against McDine and was dis-repectful, but nothing he could do would stop the crowd enjoying itself.  Lewis plays Phil next – who knows what will happen (Lewis will lose unless he realises he CAN win).

Lewis and McDine enjoy the crowd (to begin with)

So all in all another great day at the darts.  Beer, darts, girls (walk on variety), and a great party feeling.  Bring on 2011!  … although my next visit to the darts is the PDC Players championship at the Circus Tavern, only a month away…

World Darts again!

It’s that time of year – the Xmas dinners eaten, the booze has been drunk (well not all of it  yet!), and the PDC World darts championship is on the TV again.

I’m off to watch in person tomorrow (29th Dec), with the BEST tickets for the afternoon session (front row, just behind the players to the right, which is the prime being spotted by the cameras seats ) .  They are actually exactly the same seats we had last year, and loads of people saw me on TV.

I get to see Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor again for the third or forth time – a true sporting legend.  Love him or Loath him, you can’t deny his dedication and winning nature. If only we could bottle his winning attitude and give it to the footy and cricket teams!

Heading off at 9am for the drive down – three of us on a darts watching marathon. Pictures to come!

Oh and I’m talking about the PDC Alexandra Palace world darts championships – not the (now very noddy) BDO worlds.  All the best players have finally moved across to the PDC now – it’s got the money, and the televised events, which the older and some would say old fashioned BDO just can’t match.  The difference between the two events (apart from the quality of play and prize money) is that one feels like being at a big derby game at a big footy match, while the other is like.. well going to watch old men in cheap gold jewelry play in front of a snooker crowd. 

(PDC darts website can be found here)

Footy season almost here

To celebrate the near start of the football season, I’m off to my first (and the last) friendly of my local team Peterborough Utd.  I’ve got my season ticket ready to go for the first home game … but tonight it’s Posh vs. Sunderland.  Looking forward to it – I’m not really a fan of friendlies (footy costs enough as it is!) – but last game before we start proper – get to see the team in it’s new glory.

Speaking of which it’s been a bit of letdown purchases wise – I was expecting a bit more cash flashed.. and a few more players.  One doesn’t count as we already had him on loan for most of the previous season – you can’t call that a new purchase.  OK it’s a bad time to be spending.. but if we really want to stay up – well we’ll see won’t we!

COME ON THE POSH!

The Posh are promoted!

Our owner and manager (Ferguson Jnr) celebrate!

My local footy team, The Posh (Peterborough United), who I’ve supported most of my life, have won promotion for the 2nd year in a row!  Championship football here we come.

It’s quite an amazing feat.. the new owner and manager have turned the club around, from a struggling 2nd division also-ran to a properly professional, and pleasing to the eye football team!  It looked like it would go down to the last game (Swindon, at home), but results went for us, and Milton Keynes lost, so we’re up … and I can now enjoy a relaxing and fun time at the last homegame (ticket bought last week).

I’ve already got my season ticket – and that ticket just got better, with some big games coming up next season.

GOING UP UP UP!