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PLANET DARTS by Niall Edworthy review by Andy Fairclough
This is one of the most famous books about Darts to be published in recent years and as well as being an interesting "warts and all" account of our sport it has two particular points of interest. It charts part of the rise of both the PDC presence in World Darts and it follows the exploits of a tipped 'up and coming' player called Colin Lloyd over a six month period. As we know Colin has subsequently gone on to deliver the goods, winning both the World Grand Prix and World Matchplay tournaments within a 12 month period in 2004 and 2005 respectively. As Planet Darts starts off though, Colin is very much the new talent on the block and Niall Edoworthy's job is to track his every movement recording the highs and lows during the 2000 season. The story starts at the World Matchplay in Blackpool and a shock first round defeat for Colin Lloyd. 'Jaws' spends the week in Blackpool on the sidelines encountering the well natured banter of Alan Warriner and the sarcastic barbs of Eric Bristow. The author follows Lloyd to America for the Las Vegas Open and a close encounter with the gamesmanship of three times World Champion, John Lowe. Returning home the action moves to Ireland for the first World Grand Prix held over there with mixed success. Back to reality and Yarmouth, before the book wraps up with the 2001 World Championships at Purfleet. A very entertaining book that shows darts as it really is, with the author obviously becoming more and more enamoured with the game. What is clearly evident is how far the PDC has come in just a few years with additional televised tournaments and the World Grand Prix now a roaring success. But even more of a success story is Colin Lloyd who has gone from battling Rod Harrington on the oche, to being mentored by him behind the scenes. Also some things never change, the madcap and overbusy Yarmouth tournament is still on the calendar but reading this book it seems more like it was written 10 years ago rather than just 5. Well worth seeking out.
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