Over the years, the darting world has boasted many greats – legends of the oche. But what we really need is a ginger icon. After all – it worked wonders in snooker.
Matt Campbell, has long flown the flame-orange flag with pride, but now he has company in the red corner – and his name is Tom Sykes. The Castleford chucker is preparing for another crack at MODUS glory, at an event where he’s already found success – and all in a short space of time. Tom explains:
“Yeah, I really like playing down there. I’ve been fortunate to have three weekly wins and been to two Champions Week finals – sadly losing on both occasions. What I’d love more than anything else right now is one of those big titles.”
Not only does he get results down in Portsmouth, he also holds a couple of Live Lounge records during Champions Week – the fastest game, and possibly the highest average. I decided to take his word for it. The Unicorn man (sponsored by them – not because of any resemblance to the mythical horned beast) has been tinkering with his set-up and believes it’s helped:
“I’ve switched to the Unicorn Forge – their new flight system – an all-in-one plastic stem, and it’s going really well.”
It’s been a pretty successful few weeks for the Yorkshire lad, claiming what he calls T’Six Nations title with England, and finishing top of the ADC Humberside district rankings. It was bittersweet for Tom, having been the only surviving member of the England team that narrowly lost to Wales a year earlier. Reflecting on the recent victory, Sykes said:
“It’s a hard format and also the warmest venue I’ve ever been. But beforehand, I said to the lads – if we get off to a good start and get in front – we will win.”
So essentially: take the lead and stay there. Who needs Yoda’s wisdom when Tom’s around? Alongside his four team-mates, Sykes delivered – earning himself the Man of the Tournament award (voted for by his mum… joke).
Away from the oche – the doppelgänger of England Cricket Test Captain, Ben Stokes – lives in Castleford with his partner of three years, Emma, who has fully supported his decision to go full-time in darts – despite not yet holding professional status. And it’s paying off. After a strong start to the PDC Challenge Tour, Sykes has received plenty of call-ups this year to test himself against the pros – and he’s taken some serious scalps too:
“At the start of the year, I set my main goal as wanting to play on the main Pro Tour. And thankfully, after just a couple of months, I achieved it. Just didn’t expect it to happen that quickly.”
“Obviously now I’ve had a taste, I want a lot more experience. Playing against that standard helps improve my game enormously. I’ve already proved this year I can play against top players and get results, and I know if I do get a Tour Card next year – I have the game and, thanks to my manager Jack Bowman, the financial backing.”
There’s no question Tom has the ability – and in bucket loads. The big names know it too. If they want to beat him, they’ll need to play well. Things could’ve been very different for the 32-year-old, though. Football – not darts – was his first calling:
“At the same time I was casually playing darts, I was at the Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday academies – but unfortunately, they both released me.”
“I still carried on playing Saturday league soccer but it got to a point where I just didn’t fancy the freezing cold Sunday morning starts! Right now – I couldn’t think of anything worse than putting footy boots on. There’s a semi-pro club 200 yards from the house and when I look out the window at them training – I don’t miss it one little bit!”
As a ginger, and with the Sun being the enemy, it’s not just the cold that poses problems – probably wise to pick an indoor sport after all. All jokes aside – and I am trying hard – this is a lad with bags of talent, who has already proven himself against some of the best arrowsmiths on the planet. He’s more than ready for the big time:
“I’ll be going to Q-School in January. And I know, if I manage to secure a Tour Card, I have the ability – and I’m ready for the challenge.”
My money’s certainly on Tom Sykes to make heads turn. So, as he heads into the MODUS Super Series once more, don’t be surprised to see him claim a fourth weekly title. After all, ginger lads have done alright in Pompey recently – ain’t that right, Adam Gawlas?
—–ENDS—–
Images: Unicorn
