Alexandra Palace in 2025 is witnessing a seminal generational change, perhaps more profound than any our sport has undergone before.
A 17-year-old may well be favourite for the title and several others under 30 will be featured amongst the main cast of characters at this year’s jamboree. At the same time our sport finally lets go of the last link to its original golden age, although the 60-year old in question is more commonly associated with a different metal.
Steve Beaton, Bronzed Adonis, has been appearing on our TV screen, in elite level darts tournaments, since 1984. He served his apprenticeship, both on stage and off, at the hands of the original cast of oche icons that laid the foundation for everything that followed.
Steve’s first recorded World Masters was also in 1984. He reached the last 32 and was defeated by John Lowe who was in the midst of a remarkable year including the first TV 9-Darter. The event was won by Eric Bristow defeating Keith Deller in the final.
Old Stoneface can also be acknowledged as the first official World Champion when all the rules and distances etc. were as they are now. Only last year Beaton was battling the current World Champion Luke Humphries on the Pro Tour circuit.
The success of World Seniors Darts, and the crowd reaction to moments such as Bob Anderson’s final throw 180, gives a clue as to the popularity of that original generation and how strongly they sowed darts into our culture.
That a man who played with all these foundational figures, went on to win the two biggest (WDF) events, World Championship and Winmau World Masters, before joining the PDC at the height of The Power’s era. Serving 20 years at the top table before returning – not losing – his tour card forty years on is a poignant end to that cycle and a genuine handing on of the tungsten torch.
Recent years have seen multiple members of newer generations, even before the remarkable Mr Littler, step up and it seems that a kind of suppression, caused by the utter dominance of one Phillip Douglas Taylor, has broken down with a new group of players bursting through together.
Littler, Rock, De Decker, Van deen Bergh, Dobey and Humphries himself are all young, mainly under 30, and relatively un battlescarred. Meanwhile those who initially filled the Taylor void were either older or had plenty of miles on the clock and darting dame already showing.
The travails of MVG, Clayton, Price and especially Peter Wright show that very intense schedules, extended years and perhaps poor lifestyles (at least at some points) combined with normal life troubles can catch you in a rush and it can be especially hard to maintain the standard required with such strength in depth.
None of the above is intended as a negative for either individual or the game Indeed the exact opposite may be true. We have seen from Gary Anderson this year that players in their mid fifties with huge careers behind them can reset, relax and perform superbly.
Mature players with less baggage can even break through in their 40s and 50s owing to the multiple circuits now available, look no further than Leonard Gates at Ally Pally once again for evidence. Across the game many ‘old guard’ players have been strong both on the floor and on TV. Expectation, attitude and schedule management may be the key.
A third element is at play within the generational tumult that is currently underway; The globalisation of the game.
A glance down the World Championship list reveals multiple talents from mainland Europe, North America and Asia. Again many are under 30 and already experienced and used to the professional player lifestyle.
Germany had a top seed at a PDC major this year – Martin Schindler – and the Netherlands is witnessing a flowering of a new generation as Belgium holds two of this year’s most prestigious major titles already.
But, every generation needs a star and a focal point around which the game can expand and attract new interest. DW has explored the generational battles and the past prodigies in previous issues. Eric,Phil and MVG have provided that for the first 50 years with others such as Jocky, Priestley and Barney playing major parts as well.
Our game’s ‘Fourth Age’ looks set to be led by ‘Warrington Wonder’ Luke Littler and a mixed cast of supporting characters currently assembling.
We may well be witnessing a Dr Who like regeneration and as much we will love the new stars, guest appearances and cameo roles from old favourites will keep true fans happy regardless of their generational allegiances.
—–ENDS—–
Images: Darts World Magazine
A version of this article was originally published in Darts World Magazine 588 (December 2024)
