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 I had had no warning, no special inkling, no sixth
sense that a certain presence would enter my life and the life of Professional darts once again that bright, hot, end of June morning in Las Vegas,
Nevada. The day had started early for me, around 5:00 am. No surprise there, I was still on Greenwich Mean Time so it was really quite late,
around 1:00 pm for the internal workings of Body Allix. Lots to do that day, the first rig day of Desert Classic II and 64 boards to get up, plus
the whole TV ‘Circus Tent’ to erect. Not just me though, the Anglo American crew were mustered and full of vigour to get on with the job.
The crew had gone on ahead whilst I checked at the Business Center for
communications from back home. So, I was alone as I purposely strode to The MGM Conference Center, the scene of the future days activities. I had
no particular worries or concerns, we’ve pretty much got this TV Tournament deal covered now after ten years of hard won experience.
As I walked past the Pool area, trying to catch a glimpse of bare breast at
the ‘European end’ (how sad am I!), I felt a long forgotten electricity in the air. (And, not the one I’d been hoping for!)
“No, can’t be,” I thought. “He’s not around any more – he wouldn’t come back.”
I stopped my fruitless search for nubile bodies and looked up. A man was
grinning at me, extending his hand in greeting as he advanced toward me. I half recognized the face, but could not place it. Yet, the tingle down the
spine was very real.
Then the man spoke, “Hi Dick, you don’t recognize me do yer?”
“No sh..,” I thought, but in that instance his face shed twelve years. (Not
really, but keep with the moment.)
“It’s Tony. Tony Payne,” he said.
I suppressed the urge to run, screaming “run for your lives” and instead,
covering up my mortal fear, said “Tony, you old B……,” (you can always count on me for the quick and humorous repartee). “What are you doing here?”
Now that was smart. What in hell do you think he was here for – maybe he
was part of Britney Spears back up singers? – Ah…no. Here, doing some table magic at The Aladdin? – Hardly. Running some muscle for da mob? –
Now that’s more like it.
“I’m gonna play in The Desert Classic,” he said, not surprisingly.
Now this is a moment when you pray your face says nothing when your
feelings scream disbelief.
“Good for you,” I hear my voice say. “Aw, Jeez,” my brain translated from
clipped English into Pseudo American.
You see, my mind instantly whipped back those ten or so years when Tony
was rampaging around the tournaments of the world, yellin’ and a’hollerin,’ getting in every other players face, especially Eric Bristow’s, who I managed
at the time, and generally carrying on. Oh yes, he won stuff all the time too.
He was America’s greatest Player in terms of talent and passion – oh, that passion! He should have had a World Title, but this was the era of Bristow at
his greatest, and had Tony had more exposure to TV rather than once or twice a year, he would have got a World title shot.
At Cricket, he was a god. Thermonuclear Cricket was a steady column in
these pages, penned by the immortal one for many years. Though, it has to be said by this Brit, that writing about Cricket for two years or more is a bit of
a stretch for the imagination, but there you go. Cricket just don’t flick any
switches for me. I just accept, from those who know, that it was brim full of wisdom beyond compare – a veritable seven pillars.
Then nothing, poof, gone like the genie back in his lamp. Tony just went
home to Ohio and put his darts away. Now I just thought this was a combination of ‘burn out’ and more probably for an American Player, no
money. There comes a time when Family comes first, last and in the middle, and the hopes and dreams have to be put away and filed under ‘nice try.’
He told me that he’d had a rough time, but had found his religion again and
was a happy and contented man. He smiled a lot, was a lot greyer (who isn’t) and was very complimentary about PDC and our events. That’s how you
win friends! But, whoa, was this the Tony Payne who stood nose to nose with Bristow, literally, on an Oche or two and told the Cockney, one, that he
had great doubts about the validity of his parents at great volume. Eric took it then, and gave it back. They were worthy adversaries.
Tony went on to say that his boys often watched old videos of the game and
caught coverage of the current output by PDC. They had urged him to give it
one more go. Probably didn’t believe the old guy about his past exploits. Kids, eh!
Tony also said he wanted to help the local kids through the church by
starting up Junior Leagues within the ministry. This would help to bring god
into their lives by providing a meaningful outlet for youthful energies. Sounds like a plan to me.
Now, it’s at this point that, to an agnostic like me, that the urge to scoff and
to doubt, gets overwhelming. Yet, truthfully, looking Tony square in the eye, I just cannot question his sincerity, just would not be right. He intends to do
everything he says, and frankly, he deserves to succeed and knowing his tenacity, he will.
His achievements at The Desert Classic II are well documented elsewhere in BEN this month, so I won’t repeat them blow-by-blow. Though, for a player to
be twelve odd years without lifting a dart, then practice for four short months
and come right out and take major scalps is nothing short of amazing! Truly
amazing! It was wonderful to watch all the old moves and style. The only
thing missing was the snarl and bite, though I’m sure that beast still lurks beneath the surface, though safely tethered.
Tony has now won a place in The Ladbroke.com World Championships over
Christmas and the New Year in England and a tilt at the $400,000 in Prize Money with a presence on Worldwide TV once again. A second chance?
Yes, but well deserved.
I’m told he intends to get right back on the Pro circuit again, and I, for one,
welcome him back. As you all know, I often have the need to bang on about passion, belief, and focus when it comes to accomplishing the Goals. Tony
has these in spades, he just got lost along the way for a while. It will not be easy, but he knows that. Standards at the top are higher each year; the
margins for error grow smaller. A wayward lifestyle used to be the partner in crime for our old champions. Today, and more so in the future, Champions
will need to be, not exactly super fit athletes, but certainly in control of their life in all its nuances.
As to Tony’s program with “Little League” so to speak, I think it a great idea.
We all have to be vigilant in what we expose our children to. Kids Darts through the Church is one great way. The PDC, at its major events in Europe
has had “Darts for Kidz” hour every day prior to the TV starting where the Pro’s show up to teach the little guys and gals. It’s been reasonably
successful, but at The World Matchplay at the end of July in Blackpool, the local council approached us to see if a party of underprivileged kids could
participate and get in to see the show as well. Naturally we said yes, and the response was overwhelming. Great to see, and we hope it may inspire
some of them to take up the sport in earnest. There was certainly no shortage of enthusiasm. I’m sure Tony will find the same thing, and with his
renewed success, he will become a huge role model.
So people, watch out at those tournaments out there. For you older guys
who were around in the late eighties, and you get that tingling feeling down your spine that you prayed you’d never feel again, be afraid. For those who
weren’t, you can just wait in anticipation. You’re about to visit – The House of Payne.
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