Former World Youth Champion Arron Monk has signed with Red Dragon, on the back of returning to the Professional Darts Corporation having regained his Tour Card at UK Qualifying School.
The 33-year-old won the opening final stage competition in Milton Keynes back in January, beating compatriot Dom Taylor 6-3 in the Final. Arron also claimed victory over Stephen Burton in the Semi Finals, with both walking away from Qualifying School as Tour Card holders.
Back in 2011 before the World Championship Final between Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson, Arron beat Michael van Gerwen 6-4 in the inaugural Final of the World Youth Championship at the Alexandra Palace.
The Englishman came through a field that included PDC stars at the start of their careers, such as Michael Smith, Joe Cullen, Dirk van Duijvenbode and fellow Red Dragon star Josh Payne.
Arron since regaining his tour card has resumed playing competitively on the Pro Tour for the first time since 2020, whilst also making it to the 2nd Round of the Baltic Sea Darts Open. Arron defeated Brendan Dolan in a last leg decider (6-5) before losing to Joe Cullen in the Last 32, despite throwing an average higher than the former Masters Champion.
The 33-year-old will want a return to the World Darts Championship, having not appeared at the Alexandra Palace since 2014.
Arron reached the Last 16 of the 2012 Grand Slam of Darts, coming through Runner Up of Group D ahead of former Premier League winner James Wade and Dutch international Jan Dekker.
The Andover born player will hope to progress further in his career, having the full support of Red Dragon as he continues the first of 2 years as a PDC Tour Card holder.
Arron spoke on his new deal saying “It’s great to be back playing darts at the highest level with Red Dragon at my side and creating some new darts for me, I’m working hard and really enjoying playing again”.
Red Dragon Marketing Director Simon Hall also said on the new deal: “We are delighted to have Arron on board, he has loads of character and talent as we have seen throughout his young career, that sprinkled in with some extra maturity will see him hopefully fulfil his great potential. We all look forward to the future and wish him all the best going forward into the rest of the year.”
Billy Lovell of MODUS Sports Management added “Arron is working so hard as player its like he’s a new player and its great to see, we’ve backed him for many years and feel this is now his time to shine”.
Arron will return to the PDC picture for European Tour 6: the Dutch Darts Championship at WTC Leeuwarden. Fellow Red Dragon star Gian van Veen will make his first Euro Tour appearance of 2023 on home soil with Luke Humphries the tournament number 1 seed and Michael Smith the defending champion.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC & Red Dragon
Grab a copy of the 50th Anniversary Darts World 581 here (while stock lasts) or the new Issue 582 here :
The Darts World 50 limited edition set is available to order (Here) in your choice of pack/bundle.
Also Available Free: Darts World Extra 8 – Humble Hero
Darts World Magazine‘s fantastic value bundles:
Subscribe or purchase your copy
