During the Grand Prix in Dublin it is hopeful that Wozza will be wearing the sponsor logo of National radio station Newstalk 106. I was spedking to a producer of the show "off the ball" over the past couple of days trying to sort something out and Myself and Alan are now provisionally booked into the studio before the Grand Prix kicks off for a chat about the game, tournaments and darts past and present and what have ya. All is set up up with Newstalk at the moment so we will hopefully finalise that in the next day or so. Newstalk have had a great proposal with regards promotion of the the game too so we look forward to the dealings we'll have with them over the last week in October and in the future.
Cannot go without replying to the comment posted in yesterdays blog about me apparently putting down the BDO. What I said is not my opinion. It is pure fact. I complimented them by saying they'll always be a base for people starting to play and competing at county level but the simple fact they lack professionalism is there for everybody to see. In late 1992 16 players who were then BDO formed the WDC which was set up to gain more TV tournaments other than just 1 which is the Worlds. The BDO not being used to being argued with proceeded to ban those 16 from all BDO events thereafter. A ban that risked the livlihood of all those 16 players who by now were unable to play tournaments,at county, superleague or even exhibition level because of the ban put on their heads by the boys with the red blazers. I must emphasise Barry Hearn did not get involved with the 16 who broke away until a later date. A lot of these pro's who left were now being hit in the pockets so the panic button was pushed by Chris Johns and Mike Gregory who like babies went running back after they were promised Christmas everyday and forever regreted that thereafter. It got to a stage when some of the now 14 went down to their pub for a beer were ignored by their former friends and colleagues. How childish was that. When the lads realised that the only defence was attack they brought the BDO to court and won when the Tomlin Order was set up preventing "restraint of trade". This meant the 14 were now free to play again.County, Super league, exhibitions and basically everything. Sky came in when the boys were the WDC and covered the 94 and 95 championships before Mr.Hearn got involved and the new name of Professional Darts Corporation was set up and rightly so. The BDO gave these lads no choice. They didn't want to leave. You must understand that but the game of darts was dying and the BDO were willing to leave that happen. Bare in mind it was the top 16 in the world who walked out when they did.
Of course everyone in the PDC has played BDO. It started with just 14 players. If you wanted to play at all you had to play with them. In 93 there had only been 9 world champions to date. Ree's had packed it in. All 8 had had enough. Does that not tell you what they were and believe or not still are dealing with.
PDC players do not get appearance money either. Thats a crazy statement. The reason the players leave is money yes. The simple opportunity to win more as we now have more tournaments. It costs more to play more so dont forget that and the chance is there for some regular TV exposure. Even BDO players want for that but most of them have said so much in the past they are too stubburn to come across now. Spoke to one of them who is coming over in 2007 and he told me that. Straight from the horses mouth that one. I know for a fact 5 will jump ship in Feb 2007. Footballers wanna play foorball, golfers wanna golf and dart players wanna play darts. Its as simple as that.
If some and may I emphasise some wanna have a drink off stage surely its their decision. Drink and darts will sadly always go hand in hand but what i was having a go at is the players name attached to the Showbiz darts the other night. Both have gone on celebity fat club in the previous 2 years and admitted to what they drink and one couldn't finish a head to head with a PDC player live on TV in November 2004. What a way to promote your organisation. Only for that lad is such a decent skin I'd go on. As regard Mr. George I'll say nothing. You know the BDO were once going to change their name to the BGO. Booby George Organisation. Or Bobby even.
And as for the jealousy. PDC and jealousy have not gone in the same sentece since 1995 and never ever will.
Hope that says it for you but the comment board is there for comments so I welcome them all.
8 comments:
Unfortunately Mr.Keoghan you are totally one sided and have tunnel vision.I have read your darts blog the past couple of months and have always found it very interesting as i am a darts fan and have being for the past 10years.I don't know much about the history or break away of the two faction's but from reading your blog the past couple of night's i can see whose side your on and it certainly is'nt the BDO's.You make your money through dart's by promoting PDC players that's your bread and butter but they're two sides to every story but with you black is black and it's the PDC or nothing.I first started watching darts on t.v when Bullyseye was on all those years ago ever before Sky t.v.The BBC showed on Sundays from 5.30pm where was your precious PDC then and your sky.What i'm saying is the BBC started showing dart's on the telly first through Bullyseye and the World Championship and it was very enjoyable but then sky butted in and limited the viewing of darts to people who could afford satalite t.v.Thus the PDC were formed the BBC were hijacked by sky and could'nt compete.As far as i'm concerned the BDO world championship is far better than the PDC one. We all know who is going to win the PDC before it start's like the english premiereship totally one sided.Mr.Taylor is the champ everytime bar a fluke.It is now early October and i predict Phil Taylor to be the 2007 PDC World Champion and i ain't Nostradmus.Where as with the BDO who know's maybe another unknown Dutchman and that's entertainment.Of course more player's will leave the BDO for the PDC but money talk's i admire Barney for staying with the BDO for as long as he did but i'm sure he got an offer he could'nt refuse but he is the only one who can give Taylor a game and Sky were aware of that it get's so boring watching the whole time kowing Taylor is going to win and obviously the viewing figure's were dropping so Sky bought Barney.So Alan when you slate the BDO you also run down all the great champ's past and present most of who are now with you're precious PDC anyway i could write for the night but i work hard for a living and have to go to work now we all cant have you're life travelling the world every second week all i can say there must be some money in dart's as they say on the BBC every January :are you ready let's play dart's .The hair stand's up on the back of my neck when i hear those word's you should watch it sometime.I wish to remain anonymous but in future think before you run down all those great player's past and present of the BDO Best Dart's Orgainisation.
i have to say i agree with the author. I myself have always defended the bdo till the end. But being a big Barney fan i have since jumped ship and started paying more interest to the pdc due mainly to the fact that barney is there. I believe he is the main guy who can put it up to the taylor. I think the interesting point here is that the general public wants to watch the elite of the sport regardless of money etc. To watch the elite, one has to admit that this is the pdc and not the bdo. Look at the averages, look at past games between pdc and bdo players. Results speak for themselves. The author never blagged the fact that the bdo is the grass roots. I think the person who made the other comment should watch more of the pdc - I have a funny feeling he/she will notice the difference.
Well Noelie boy, looking forward to your expert analysis on Newstalk. You could be the new Dunphy. They are looking for a replacement and I think you could be the man for the job.
There's a certain buddy of ours who is a long way from home right now who can lay claim to being the number 1 Dunphy impersonator in the world, you could get a few tips off him.
Well its like this we will have one or two for you in Galway this weekend and lose our collective bolixes at the dog track.
Tear the head off Gary Mason when you see him. As Aopollo would say "There is no tomorrow Noelie. THERE IS NO TOMORROW".
the pdc have brought the game to a higher level and to a worldwide audience. would the bdo ever have considered a tournament in las vegas or even dublin?? i dont think so.
Anonymous? Good choice. Hardly suprisingly that you choose not to put your name to that drivel that you wrote. "Where was your precious PDC when Bullseye was on?" What a ridiculous question! Maybe they were off planning major worldwide darts tournaments in Vegas, Blackpool, Dublin and Bolton and not worrying about whether Bill and Peggy are going to gamble there 100 quid to win a speedboat. How can you defend the BDO? AS the author says all the major darts players made there foundations there and he hasnt denied this but the BDO needs to move with the times. If SKY/ PDC are coming in offering the cash to lure all the big boys away then why don't the BBC/BDO match this money or at least come up with some decent tournaments and stop showing us this second rate sh*te once a year.
Exactly. Cant beleive your mans comments about the BDO. They are amateurs and behind the times. Murray has said it well. The author is 100% spot on and that other fella called anonymous is an absolute joke. How can you defend them in any way or means. Of course will win. He is Taylor. He is an exception to the rule. People who get done in the first round of the PDC would warrant a place in the later stages of the BDO. Anonymous hasn't a clue and should head off to work coz he knows sweet FA about darts.
Anonymous is an idiot. Hasn't got a clue. Go back to work and stay their. You are not entitled to have an opinion on the PDC as you should not be left watch it.Stick to the "lets play darts". Tear to me eye or hairs on your back stand or whatever it is happens you when he comes on.Never read so much rot in all me life. Author 100% spot on here. You are probably about 70 and stuck in the times. Hopefully you are 70 but if you are not you need to get a grip on yourself urgently. Other wise you'll be like Fitzmaurice, George, Hankey, Walton and King.......stuckm in the BDO forever.
If your willing to go to the effort to make a statement... have the balls to sign it
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