Every darts decade has been dominated by one of our game’s leading characters. Lowe, Bristow, Taylor, MVG are the prime examples and now Luke Littler seems likely to be the dominant character for the 2020s.
But, often players of huge talent and value to the game fade too quickly from the pundits and players memory, or do not receive their due credit. Whether it’s the earliest professionals of the TV age, such as Alan Evans, or those who got caught in the darts doldrums in the late 90s and much of the 2000s. Every darts player or fan will remember one of two others from their formative years.
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So here are half a dozen names who I have always felt were unfortunate, in terms of their timing and or treatment from media and fans alike. I could do many more such pieces on those who fewer would have heard of but who were talented and or important nonetheless.
Who would be yours?
Leighton Rees
1978 World Champion and the TV era’s first darts ambassador.
The first World champion was charming and enthusiastic in person and turned out to be a perfect early ‘promotor’ of the game around TV studious and holiday camps alike.
But, don’t let that element fool you. Rees was a superb player who also led Wales to capture the first darts (WDF) World Cup. Have a look at him a decade later frightening a prime Keith Deller to death in the final of the British Professional championships. The crowds reaction to Rees tells its own story.
Dave Whitcombe
Multiple major winner and England International.
Whitcombe had the misfortune to reach the top echelon at the moment of Eric Bristow’s pomp. Twice Eric handed him severe beatings in the World Championship final. Yet, Dave won major Championships, was a strong member of that era’s Englands side and contributed an excellent book on darts.
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Bobby George
70s & 80s major winner whose 1994 return helped preserve the BDO.
Tony David
Unsung Australian 2002 Lakeside Champion and Winmau World Master.
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Scott Waites
2 x Lakeside and 2010 Grand Slam of Darts Champion.
Anastasia Dobromyslova
3 x Women’s World Champion and multiple record setter.
Timing can be everything and Ana has been less than lucky in this respect. Had she have advanced the game in the 2020s as far as she did in the 00s and teens she would be a superstar and have likely earned a fortune. However history will be kind to her and the three World titles and World record averages will fit proundly into the important progressions of the women’s darts.
For manifold reason these six stars seem to get far less mentions and credit than they deserve for their contribution. The same is true for many others. Check out DartsWorld Legacy on all our platforms and the legacy section of this website for our dedicated efforts to give credit where it is due.
Images: Tip Tip Pics
Cover: DartsWorld Ltd.
