| Off The Wire – Jul/Aug 2009 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 07 July 2009 22:45 |
|
OFF THE WIRE – Jul/Aug 2009
The NDA Announces Team USA 2010 Describing himself as ‘an erstwhile dart shooter’, Pappalardo’s book is a strange and effective combination of a dark yet whimsical look at the world that lies nestled in the bosom of every small town in America. From the moment that the orphaned exile Aznap “Nappy” Ochnas meets a charismatic mafia bagman named Fletcher Widdy, the pair roam about searching for the meaning of life, or at least a good game of darts. What “Nappy” sees as a lark that will distract him from his losses and a dead-end future quickly turns sinister when his naïveté leads him to break his word to Fletcher and his cronies. Pappalardo mixes darts, love, violence, drugs, adventure and more darts, to a briefcase full of mob money, murder, more drugs, bar brawls, numerous games of ‘cricket’, more violence and more darts and produces an enthralling tale which all darts fans will enjoy. I leave it to readers to purchase the book to discover whether or not “Nappy” and Fletcher discover the meaning of life. Maybe the meaning of life is DARTS. The Compleat Dartshooter is published by AuthorHouse and can be purchased via www.authorhouse.com. —Chip Herman After having revealed all about his life in darts in his autobiography published in 2005, John spent some time on his next project; compiling what he believes will be ‘the most comprehensive darts tuition manual ever published.’ I tend to agree with him. John had a go at imparting his darting knowledge and skills in John Lowe on Darts which was well received but that was published by Magnum Books nearly thirty years ago. Even John Lowe has learned a lot more since then. The book is designed to appeal to ALL darts players, whether they are beginners or wanting to improve their existing skills or, and this is the most interesting part of the book, if you want to know how to become a professional darts player. This book is two masterclasses on darts between the same covers. The first part of the book teaches the reader how to choose the right equipment, how to grip the dart, how to stand properly at the oche and, amongst other things, how to establish an effective practice routine and shows ways in which the, for want of a better word, ordinary darts enthusiast can improve his or her skills. That could be seen by many as teaching your grandmother to suck eggs’ but you’d be wrong. There are a great number of fundamental errors still made by darts players of all skill levels (such as keeping the body still whilst throwing) and John’s wise words reinforce the basic do’s and don’ts on the oche. For those who dream of becoming a professional darts player, the second part of The Art of Darts goes a long way to making that dream a reality. John’s been around long enough not only to teach people how to become top players but also to be able to warn darting ‘wannabee’s about the many pitfalls on the road to becoming a professional player. John tells you how to secure that all-important sponsorship, how to plan for success and, more importantly perhaps, how to deal with when it is achieved and how to cope when those accumulated skills begin to fail. For those aiming at the very pinnacle of the sport John even includes a chapter on how to achieve darts nirvana – the nine-darter. The Art of Darts is by far the best and most easily readable self-help darts tuition book I have ever read - and I’ve read a few! John’s style is uncomplicated (just like his darts play) and thus the reader is led through the book skill area by skill area. The Art of Darts is packed full of advice from a three-time World Darts Champion who wants nothing more than impart that advice and his skills to darts fans across the globe. The Art of Darts is a must-have book for all those involved in the sport of darts at any level. John’s eagerly awaited darts tuition book is published in London in hardback by the prestigious publisher Hodder & Stoughton, but BEN readers can purchase it via Amazon.co.uk. —Chip Herman Gulliver commented, “It’s great to get back on the winning rostrum. I’m building my confidence event by event and really starting to trust my throw again.” Gulliver will next attend the Holland Open where she’ll, no doubt, have her eye on the Cup! Eddy’s brother Tommy Cox, the PDC Tournament Director, has written the following tribute: On behalf of the family of the late Eddy Cox, I would like to place on record our sincere and heartfelt appreciation of everyone who attended and made last Saturday’s Benefit Evening such an unqualified success.” The Park hotel was packed out and the atmosphere was unique, a celebration, yet an evening of respect dedicated to a man who had no enemies and helped innumerable people over the years. It would be impossible to name everyone who has helped, be it as a donor of auction items or cash, a bidder for auction items, an attendee last Saturday or indeed anyone who has had a kind word to say about Eddy since his untimely death. There are, however, some people who I would like to publicly acknowledge for their outstanding contribution and commitment to Eddy’s memory and his family’s future prospects. To the PDC security staff who attended to a man with a special thanks to Billy Cook, Gary Powell and Pete Bryant, who not only worked free of charge on the night, but paid their own travel and accommodation expenses to do so. To the players who attended either or both the funeral and the benefit evening, the famous and the not so famous who showed their love of the man. To Barry Hearn for his attendance and generosity which highlights the tightness of the bond within the Organisation which is the PDC. To my colleagues at the PDC for their support, notably Chief Executive Matt Porter and Media Officer Dave Allen, who were both there on the night. To my long-standing friend Edward Lowy who not only donated generously to the fund but made the effort to be there on the night. To the players who participated on the night, Mark Dudbridge, Mark Walsh, Colin Lloyd, Colin Osborne, Bob Anderson, Rod Harrington, Phil Nixon (Lee Henderson sponsored Nixy’s game with a large donation, thanks Lee), and of course Phil Taylor. Phil donated a large sum to the fund and told me from day one that he would be there. Forget darts and his huge achievements in the game. Phil, I am proud to call you my friend. My thanks to old gravel voice Russ Bray who called all of the games, helped run the auction and was at my side for anything that was needed. Special words for a special girl, the soon to be Mrs Porter - Jo Birchall. What a singer, if she doesn’t become a star then there’s no justice in the world, thanks a million Jo. To my sons Danny and Neil along with their bandmates in “The Cheap Suits” - I’m biased - but they were great. To another I am proud to call friend John McDonald, he absolutely made the night with his brilliant management of the whole evening and his enthusiasm which shone through like a beacon. He loved Eddy and it showed. And Scott Gibling, what can I say about Scott which truly expresses my gratitude to him? He worked tirelessly on the build up to the evening, throughout the day preparing and then throughout the whole evening on the presentation of the event. Thanks Scott, the entire Cox family loves you dearly. Apologies if I have missed anyone, but as I have said we are grateful to everyone who has shown an interest and given a fond thought to Eddy since his passing. He will always be remembered by an awful lot of people. Finally, if anyone has any last minute donations for the fund, which stands at £23,000-plus at the moment then please send them to: Thank you and God Bless from me, the rest of the Cox family and of course Eddy himself. Dennis Priestley admits he could look to retire from darts during 2010. Priestley has enjoyed two decades at the top of the sport, picking up a brace of World Championships in an illustrious career. Despite his treatment for prostate cancer over the past year, he has maintained his position inside the top ten on the PDC Order of Merit, actually moving up to eighth in 2009 with his performances. A place in the top six would earn Priestley an automatic spot in the 2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts, and a recent appearance against Phil Taylor in a Challenge Match in Sheffield whetted his appetite for one final crack in that event before scaling down his involvement in top-flight darts. Dennis Priestley says, “I’ll pack it in after my 60th birthday…” But, he’d sure like another run at the Whyte & Mackey Premier League Darts in 2010 to cap his career. “It’s always a special moment in any player’s career when they play in front of their home crowd,” said Priestley. “It was fantastic, and I’d also like to thank the fans who bid on the signed shirt. The money will not only help people who have cancer but also go towards research into cancer.” In addition to players from the home countries, thousands of players representing over sixty member countries within the World Darts Federation will have the opportunity to compete to reach the BBC televised stages of the 2010 Championships. These will be played for nine consecutive days from Saturday, January 2nd to Sunday, January 10th, 2010. The Men’s World Professional Darts Championship will celebrate thirty-three years of continuous coverage on BBC TV (1978 to 2010 inclusive) while the Women’s World Professional Darts Championship will be staged for the tenth consecutive year (2001 to 2010 inclusive). “I am delighted that Lakeside will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary as host of these great Championships, as well as our seventh consecutive year as main title sponsor,” says Bob Potter, OBE, proprietor of the Lakeside Complex. “These Championships are truly unique, as is the atmosphere they create, and Lakeside is privileged to welcome not only the BDO and BBC, but also the world’s top darts players – men and women – who never fail to produce the very best standards of darts excellence and entertainment year after year.” “The BDO’s two BBC televised darts majors – the World Masters and World Pro – complement each other through our eligibility rules and enjoy all the history and kudos of true World Championships”, says Olly Croft, Managing Director of BDO Enterprises Ltd. “Needless to say, we are delighted to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the World Professional at Lakeside (1986-2010 inclusive) and our 33rd year as the first major sporting event of the year on BBC television.” |