BDO World Professional Darts Championships 2014

527

Outstanding.

528

529

Ted is giving it one last throw of the dice at the top level. Fair play. I hope he hasn’t gone back too nuch in the pub circuit

530

While Ted has clearly had health issues over the last couple of years it didn’t stop him from showing the likes of Taylor, van Barneveld and Whitlock who’s boss.

Now that he’s back to full health the decision to return to the big time was an easy one for him, and he’ll be welcomed back into the BDO family with open arms.

Can’t wait to see him back on the big stage at the BDO Daily Mirror World Trophy at the world famous Blackpool Tower next month.

531

I hereby present the smoking gun that the pdc fanboys desperately want to conceal, an absolutely amazing statistic which has been brought to my attention.

Since 1994 inclusive, there have been 35 sub-70 averages between the two world championships.

31 of those 35 happened in the pdc tournament, while only 4 happened at Lakeside. And one of those was by the clearly injured Martin Atkins this year, so in reality it’s only 3.

In terms of any argument as to which is the superior organisation, the case is most definitely closed.

Here’s the list (lowest to highest):

  1. Eric Bristow (England) 53.37 (1999 PDC)

  2. Akihiro Nagakawa (Japan) 54.34 (2009 PDC)

  3. Warren French (New Zealand) 54.95 (2009 PDC)

  4. Dave Harrington (New Zealand) 59.36 (2013 PDC)

  5. John Ferrell (England) 59.66 (2000 PDC)

  6. Winston Cadogan (Barbados) 60.00 (2006 PDC)

  7. Alan Bolton (New Zealand) 60.38 (2008 PDC)

  8. Martin Atkins (England) 61.98 (2014 BDO) *retired injured after 2 sets

  9. Erwin Extercatte (Netherlands) 63.15 (2008 PDC)

  10. Gerald Verrier (USA) 65.01 (1999 PDC)

  11. Ron Miller (Canada) 65.31 (2007 PDC)

  12. Anthony Fleet (Australia) 65.34 (2010 BDO)

  13. Mark Salmon (Wales) 65.46 (2009 BDO)

  14. Dan Lauby (USA) 65.58 (2004 PDC)

  15. Mohd Latif Sapup (Malaysia) 65.58 (2013 PDC)

  16. Denis Ovens (England) 65.64 (2012 PDC) *retired injured after 1 set

  17. Geoff Kime (Australia) 66.13 (2012 PDC)

  18. Ritchie Gardner (England) 66.15 (1996 PDC)

  19. Toru Sano (Japan) 66.51 (2004 PDC)

  20. Kevin Spiolek (England) 66.99 (1998 PDC)

  21. Shi Yongsheng (PR China) 67.16 (2007 PDC)

  22. Peter Evison (England) 67.34 (2005 PDC)

  23. Dietmar Burger (Austria) 67.44 (2012 PDC)

  24. Ross Smith (England) 67.61 (2009 BDO)

  25. Alan Warriner (England) 67.86 (2005 PDC)

  26. Rizal Barellano Jr (The Philippines) 68.58 (2008 PDC)

  27. Shi Yongsheng (PR China) 68.67 (2009 PDC)

  28. Akihiro Nagakawa (Japan) 68.85 (2008 PDC)

  29. Dan Lauby (USA) 68.89 (2001 PDC)

  30. Steve Raw (England) 69.03 (2000 PDC)

  31. Kevin Spiolek (England) 69.06 (1997 PDC)

  32. Colin Monk (England) 69.48 (2008 PDC)

  33. Dean Allsopp (England) 69.72(1999 PDC)

  34. Anthony Forde (Barbados) 69.83 (2008 PDC)

  35. Scott Burnett (USA) 69.91 (2010 PDC)

532

Pdc = poor darts club

533

Well that’s that settled then.

534

:clap:

One of the greatest sights in sport is the Count’s legendary walk on with his scowl and slicked back hair and then randomly throwing plastic bats to the crowd.

535

I see the ratings for the rival tournament at Ally Pally only reached 668,000 for the final.

That’s barely a fifth of the 3.1 million that watched the Lakeside final.

536

Scotland captain Ross “The Boss” Montgomery posted this on his Facebook page last night:

“Played in my local league tonight and no matter how many years it has been ( 20 years + ) you guys make me smile and a love every Monday night I get the chance to play with or against you I will and will always remember where I came from and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart , you made me cry tonight with the welcome home you gave me and I love you all I thank you and will always be with you
Thank you”

Real darts, real people.

537

The Boss certainly puts the wart in stalwart.

538

Surprising and disappointing breaking news tonight.

World Champion Stephen Bunting has decided to retire from professional darts.

539

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

540

[quote=“Sidney, post: 891720, member: 183”]Surprising and disappointing breaking news tonight.

World Champion Stephen Bunting has decided to retire from professional darts.[/quote]
PDC bound so.

541

I’m trying to think of another instance where the world’s best player quit their sport at the top of their game and I can only think of Michael Jordan quitting basketball in 1993, just after winning his third NBA championship in a row with the Chicago Bulls.

Perhaps Bjorn Borg quitting tennis at the age 26 is another one?

542

[quote=“Sidney, post: 891720, member: 183”]Surprising and disappointing breaking news tonight.

World Champion Stephen Bunting has decided to retire from professional darts.[/quote]
Onwards and upwards,will make a fine addition to the PDC.

543

[quote=“Sidney, post: 891728, member: 183”]I’m trying to think of another instance where the world’s best player quit their sport at the top of their game and I can only think of Michael Jordan quitting basketball in 1993, just after winning his third NBA championship in a row with the Chicago Bulls.

Perhaps Bjorn Borg quitting tennis at the age 26 is another one?[/quote]

Mate - we are talking about an athlete here.

544

Now former athlete.

545

I haven’t seen any reference to this online. In fact I found this article.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/darts/stephen-bunting-rules-out-pdc-3020372

546

[quote=“farmerinthecity, post: 891796, member: 24”]I haven’t seen any reference to this online. In fact I found this article.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/darts/stephen-bunting-rules-out-pdc-3020372[/quote]

It’s confirmed on the BDO site, pal. Quotes from The Bullet saying he didn’t want to leave but he has to accept Hearn’s filthy lucre for the good of his family. You’ll recall his father stayed in a camper van near The Lakeside as they couldn’t afford the accommodation cost.

#Grassroots

#RealPeople

#RealDarts