ONE thing about playing such varied darts across many different formats and organisations is you become a better predictor of events. Or at least so I tell those who might listen:
Behind the scenes before last month’s World Seniors Championship, I suggested that Robert Thornton might well repeat his success of twelve months previous and that it would be well deserved. The Thorn and I spend a bit of time together at MODUS’s Super Series and we have always gotten on. It was a remarkable effort to defend his Circus Tavern title in a field, which was less of a nostalgia festival, with more active and full-time players. What price the hat trick in 2024?
Never underestimate the importance of the support team you have – or need – around you if you wish to play professional sport. The travel, time away from home and basic domestic needs in life would be restricted indeed without a highly supportive partner willing to tolerate such a different life from the norm.
There are times in which a good friend willing to drive, watch boards and provide company when needed, and quietly disappear at the right times as well, can be worth its weight in gold.
When you’re building a second career there is a chance to partake of things that were not available or thought needed, the first time around. Very few players, if any, used a coach when I first played professionally although one or two did come along later. The same was also true of management groups or teams.
After an excellent couple of years with MODUS I have just joined up with old friends at GM management. I suppose I am a bit of an elder statesman to players such as Conan Whitehead and Michael Flynn. But, also you would struggle to find nicer, more talented folk than Mickey Mansell and Pete Hudson.
On top of these elements of a team, it’s even better if you have one or two who back you and believe in you through thick and thin. The Stu Huggins at Sidekick and AIM have been absolute rocks in recent times, as has the Darts World crew. I shall have more exciting news about completing my team very soon.
If you’re gonna play this game seriously can I give you a bit of Wizards Wizdom, find yourself a small but solid team to lift you up in tough times, and keep your eyes on the prize when things are looking up?
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