TheOche.com

In a letter to the editor of the Yorkshire Post, John A. Martin, of Westfield close, Hotham, York, voiced some rather strong opinions directed towards the PDC, its players, and in particular towards an article by Ian Appleyard.

Mr. Martin’s letter was apparently a response to an article by Ian Appleyard titled “Darts stars help point up footballers’ shortcomings.”

In his letter, Mr. Martin says:

“Having been an admirer of your sports reporting and usually accurate coverage over many years I was very disappointed when reading the article by Ian Appleyard headed “Darts stars help point up footballers’ shortcomings” (January 14).
Whilst Mr Appleyard may be well versed in regard to football I’m afraid he has much to learn concerning darts.

I would advise him that the British Darts Organisatiion (BDO) and not PDO as he stated has never been in “terminable decline” and has indeed gone from strength to strength since the first world championship in 1978 won by the late Leighton Rees.

In 1993 a handful of so-called “top stars” decided they were entitled to a) more money and b) to be exempt from qualifying if they went out in the early rounds.”

Mr. Martin went on to point out that Eric Bristow, Phil Taylor, John Lowe, and Dennis Priestley failed to hold the BDO “ransom” and went onto take money offered from Sky to form the PDC and compette in “their very small competition.”

Continuing his letter,

“In 1993 the BDO winner was John Part who in later years was unable to even qualify and ended up going over to the PDC where he has been in five finals and a winner twice. In fact, only four players have won the PDC Championship since 1993 namely Priestley, Taylor, Part and Barneveld whereas in the BDO only four players have won it more than once and only two (Bristow and Barneveld) have won two years in succession since 1978.

The strength of the BDO Championship is such that next year’s event is due to get underway shortly.

What is noticeable is that players only defect to the Sky circus after being unable to win the BDO event.”

Mr. Martin further expresses his opinion on Wayne Mardle, agreeing that he is a wonderful entertainer, but saying that he “made several attempts to win the BDO Championship before being unable to qualify and taking the money on offer from Sky.”

Any responses to this Yorkshire Post reader’s letter can be directed to the paper’s editor at This Website, anyone wishing may also forward a copy to webmaster@theoche.com and we would be more than happy to also publish them here.

We strive to show fair and balanced articles from both sides of the “Darts Divide” so any and all correspondances are welcomed.