Here is a recent write-up on the break-up that has taken place in the world of darts.....It is a long read but it is interesting for sanctioned darts' champions.
It's one o'clock in the afternoon, and, in the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, Essex, Alan Warriner is taking on Reg Harding in the first match of the Skol PDC World Championships. Though this year, the PDC tournament holds a little extra significance.
In 1993, the Berlin Wall of darts was erected somewhere between Essex and Surrey. Each professional player would have to decide which side of the wall he was on. Though this wall was not a very high wall, players could climb over it easily, transferring from one camp to the other throughout the year, as long as they agreed to stay on one side or the other for the duration of the two World Championships.
Last year, Phil Taylor, Mr PDC himself, was spotted at Lakeside, making a guest appearance at the Embassy, sharing a stage with BDO stalwart Martin Fitzmaurice. Relations were good, with players from both sides showing one another mutual respect, and jumping from one side of the wall to the other with ease for 11 months of the year. This arrangement was confirmed as acceptable in law in the form of the Tomlin Order, signed in 1997 by both the PDC and the BDO.
Things were looking good when, earlier this year, Barry Hearn took the reigns of the PDC. Players were then asked to show loyalty to the PDC, and were expected to sign "all-or-nothing contracts" with the PDC.
Players such as Ronnie Baxter, Andy Jenkins, Chris Mason, Steve Beaton, Kevin Painter and Paul Williams were told that if they signed, they would be guaranteed entry to the "big three" PDC tournaments, the World Championships, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix. If they refused to sign, they would be barred from all three. This resulted in the forementioned turning down the chance to play in this year's Embassy in favour of the PDC version.
From a commercial point of view, we can understand why Mr Hearn is pleased to sign these players in particular. In recent years they have become virtual household names, playing in front of millions each year at the Embassy as well as being regulars at the PDC televised events such as the World Grand Prix and World Matchplay. These players jumped over the wall as they pleased for 11 months of the year, as the legally- binding Tomlin order suggested they should. Though no more. The Berlin Wall has been covered in barbed wire, made taller, and virtually impossible to cross.
The "Skol Six" have accepted the lucrative offers made to them - a guaranteed £7, 500 just for signing up. Professional darts players are just like the rest of us, with bills and mortgages to pay and very often families to support, and certain players have given mutterings that they would quit the sport unless big changes were made, so I do not condemn them for accepting the offer.
You'll hear plenty of the politics of darts in the coming months, you can reach your own conclusions on who you believe is right, though as far as I am concerned the two main questions are: Does the Tomlin Order still apply? Is the PDC in breach of European competition laws? Judging by the precedent by a similar move in snooker earlier this year, the answer is probably yes!
Away from the politics, there is a festival of darts to be enjoyed. At Purfleet, despite some hicups this year, Phil "The Power" Taylor is surely the favourite. He opens his account on the 29th December against Paul Williams. Though, for me, the pick of the first round matches sees two of the "Skol Six", Ronnie Baxter and Kevin Painter, going head to head, which will surely be a close encounter, though I'd expect Baxter to edge it. Another first- round highlight sees "Diamond" Dave Askew taking on former Embassy favourite, Chris Mason, who will be wanting to put his first round exit at Lakeside to Ray Barneveld last year behind him, which I'm expecting him to succeed in doing. Phil Taylor is without doubt the man to beat, though he will have to be at his best as there are several players, who, on their day can beat him, such as the in-form Alan Warriner, who will feel confident after his recent victory in Ireland, and the ever-dangerous Rod Harrington is the other player I am expecting to pose a threat to Taylor's crown, though I expect him to topple everyone in his path to win this tournament yet again.
A far less predictable event takes place just a few days later at every darts player and fans' favourite venue- the Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green, Surrey.
Whilst the first round draw has set up some very exciting ties, it brought with it a tinge of disappointment because some of the tournament's most naturally gifted players will be leaving at the first round stage. With defending champion John "Boy" Walton taking on the Woolwich Viking Andy Fordham, bookies' favourite Ray Barneveld playing fans' favourite- Bobby George, who will be hoping to become the oldest player ever to win the Embassy. What is for sure is that Ray, fresh from World Masters victory, cannot take victory over George for granted - the Embassy is the hardest tournament in the world to qualify for and George has beaten some extremely strong opponents to earn his place at Lakeside.
Whilst Ray is the deserved favourite to win the Championship, he will have to remain consistent and keep a cool head at difficult moments to re-claim the title he has won twice before. Though the match I am looking forward to the most is 2000 Embassy champion and seventh seed Ted Hankey playing Fin Jarkko Komula.
Those of you who watched the recent World Masters on the BBC will understand what a natural talent the young Finn has for the game and at 14/1 he might be worth a shilling or two for the title. Although, if Walton can overcome the difficult Fordham hurdle, I would expect him to be the eventual winner of the tournament. Such a victory make him one of darts' all-time greats, which would hopefully give him a deserved opportunity to play the greatest player of all time, Phil Taylor, a privilege Ray Barneveld had in 1999 after twice winning the Embassy.
In the current political climate, organising such a contest would be just as difficult as getting Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis in the ring, but if it were to happen, I would expect "The Power" to beat Walton, although I would expect it to be a much closer contest than the Taylor-Barneveld contest of 1999.
So there are two dart organizations, much like there was two wrestling and multiple boxing federations. That, I didn't know....Following will be several player profiles that will be updated periodically.....I can see a big
TTP darts extravaganza coming up...