For the longest time I have been banging on about darts being an ‘old man’s game’. Yes, I know, Mr. Littler is a phenom, Miss Greaves also, and such prodigies have always led our game. But, and just as importantly, there are hundreds of seriously talented players with more of life’s seasoning and they deserve a shot at the pie that they helped create.
My first involvement in the pro side of the game was coaching/managing a player in his mid forties who had never had a genuine crack at the big time. Following some success I have assisted a set of others, most also were not what might be called spring chickens, who have also gone on to win titles and or play on the biggest stages available to darts.
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There are two main reasons for my enthusiasm for this group. Firstly is simply that darts is the kind of sport where you can have a long and extended career which may well only be restricted by pure physical ability to carry on and the psychological baggage accumulated. So why should a top line career not begin in a player’s thirties, forties or fifties and still reach some real peaks?
Also I strongly feel that at least one full darts generation was unable to pursue their talent to its full potential owing to the near collapse of the professional game from circa 1990-2008.
Now yes there was a professional game, and it did pick up momentum and become what it is today. But for most of that time it only truly sustained less than 50 full time professionals between both major codes! This meant that many players were unable to develop fully and have the wide range of opportunity available post 2010 and especially over the last decade.
So I am therefore delighted to witness the triumphs and landmarks of one Derek Coulson aged 58!
Don’t just listen to me, note the words of MODUS Super Series lead Chris Murphy
“Seven Champions Weeks. Six Champions Nights. Every time Derek Coulson has come back, and every time he has gone home without it.
Last night he finally got his hands on it.
He is 58. He has no professional career behind him. He has done all of this the hard way and late, and he is still getting better.
You could feel it in the room. Everyone in that building knew exactly what they were watching, because everyone knew what it had cost him to get there.
A Super Series legend, a champion at last. Congratulations Derek”.
World Senior darts may have stalled this time, but it – together with the MODUS Super Series and ADC – certainly contributed to the story of the ‘missed generation’. Graham Usher, Richie Howson and Derek himself were among those to break through and gain experience, confidence and belief that has proven invaluable since.
We should also note that Derek has not only succeeded in the MODUS Super Series format but he has won tier tour PDC events and recorded several credit worthy runs at the ProTour level.
Allowing for players who reached an early peak in their teens or twenties during the 1990s or 2000s, we are yet to see the end of that missing generation.
Look no further than the women’s game to see a cluster of returning players, including DartsWorld’s Gemma Hayter (above) who had drifted away due a lack of finance and opportunity in the sport, but are now enjoying a second coming.
Thanks to Derek Coulson, perhaps, more seasoned players will be inspired to return or re dedicate themselves to the game and have a second bite at the elite cherry. Mario Vandenbogaerde’s (53) exploits as runner-up at this weeks Players Championship and European Tour qualifiers for example?
I, for one, shall certainly be cheering them on all the way!
Daily play at the MODUS Super Series is streamed on Pluto TV with highlights and other coverage on the MODUS Super Series YouTube channel, or via various bookmaker’ websites worldwide.
Check out DartsWorld’s MODUS Super Series Hall of Fame for the personalities and history of this event.
Images: Tip Top Pics / MODUS Super Series
