The Changing of The Guard?
Posted on November 16th, 2012
An Article by The Suit
When we first looked into professional darts (PDC), at the end of 2009, one of the things that convinced us to back players we believed in was a strong sense that the time had come for a changing of the guard.
Together with the new challenges of the Pro Tour Card, as with all sport, some players had been plateauing for a while and others were already dipping from their previous levels.
Add in to that the mental baggage carried by many who had spent careers being battered by The Power and Barney and it seemed that new, professionally minded, fresh and extremely talented players might blaze a trail.
The nature of the PDC system, regular format 2 year Order of Merit and superb playing conditions, also seemed to lend itself to the idea that non stereotypical players could become professionals and make a real impact.
No longer would a top BDO background or high level international & TV experience be essential… Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Darts Rankings, PDC Darts
Filed under Callum Harris, Darts Blog, General, News, PDC | Comments Off
PDC Stars Mile High, Jabba & Paige’s Disney Dream
Posted on July 12th, 2012
An article by The Suit
On July 11th, Mark and Jamie took part in an exhibition in Rhyl, North Wales to raise funds for Paige Williams. The story of Paige’s Disney Dream speaks for itself:
Mile High Club (Marks personal sponsor club) member and our friend – Mark Cooper had managed to ask Jabba to pop along and try to help the local community raise funds. As we were in touch with Mark, it seemed natural to offer our services and Mile High’s attendance on the night.
We were all, very pleased and proud to be involved with such a superb event and worthy cause, as echoed by the subsequent comments & photographs on social media and darts forums.
A quality exhibition involving much hilarity, including Mark repeatedly hitting 69 in different ways for the marker to call out. Jabba, as always was highly entertaining and kept things moving along well. Both proved a hit on the mic as well. Well, fifteen years as a cabin crew member & manger should have taught Mile High a thing or two. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Charity Darts Exhibition, Jamie Caven, Mark Hylton
Filed under Callum Harris, Exhibitions, General, News, PDC | Comments Off
New Entry This Week Mile High in at PDC Number 32
Posted on July 6th, 2012
An Article by The Suit….
Soaring up the charts is Red Dragon’s Mark Hylton. Here are the top 32 ‘Mile High’ hits from February 2010 – July 2012.
The Top 10
10 – Professional TV Debut Grand Slam 2010
21 guests and a huge opening night crowd made the result irrelevant in one of the highlights of any sporting career, your professional television debut.
9a – Unique Bolton Hat Trick – UK Open 2012
A 4-0 opening night whitewash of Spain’s Antonio Alcinas was a mighty impressive win, but to complete the hat trick of 2007, 2011 & 2012 opening night, main stage TV wins as an amateur, an unsung pro and a returning Qtr finalist was totally satisfying. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Lets Play Knockout Darts, Mark Hylton
Filed under Callum Harris, News, PDC, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Similarities Between Top Flight Football & Darts!
Posted on July 5th, 2012
Professional Darts Manufacturers – The Premier League
An Article by The Suit…..
Over the last couple of years it has been interesting to talk to, liaise with and deal professionally with most of the major darts manufacturers and some of the up and coming folk trying to get a foothold in the market. When asked my opinions on them I was struck by how much my view varied depending on the player seeking the advise.
Giving this matter some more thought I noticed that it was very much influenced by the approach of the company, and how there were similarities between Darts Companies and Football Clubs. As ever I was not happy to stop there and started to look for more similarities, and a little idea formed about a Manufacturers Premier League. In Formula 1 for example, they have a Constructors Championship and there is fierce rivalry between equipment manufacturers in tennis, golf and many other sports. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: A180, Cosmo, Harrows, Master Darts, Red Dragon, Target, Unicorn, Winmau
Filed under Callum Harris, Darts Blog | Comments Off
European Open & Matchplay Qualification
Posted on July 2nd, 2012
An article by The Suit
With the European Tour now firmly established in the PDC calendar it is very rewarding to see Let’s play Knockout Darts well represented in the 3rd event of this new element of the modern day Pro Tour. Five of these European Tour events are to be held, each over 3 days featuring the top 32 PDC players, with qualifiers from Europe, the host nation and the UK, completing the 64 strong lineup.
These events fall halfway between floor tournaments and TV events. Operated by PDC Europe, they have large live audiences, full stage set ups and are similar to The UK Open in terms of timetable and multiple board setup, but on the European Tour all games are best of 11 legs and a seeded bracket draw takes place.
The first 2 events proved very popular, thanks to the maiden stage win of Justin Pipe and then The Power overcoming Chizzy in Berlin’s final, they seem to have really captured the attention of darts fans. In addition many lesser known players have had good runs or notable wins at these events. The ranking points gained are vital and may help many new faces qualify for TV events this year. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: The European Open. Lets Play Knockout Darts
Filed under Callum Harris, Darts Blog, Darts Results, News, PDC, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Diamond White and the TV Major Crusade!
Posted on June 30th, 2012
An article by The Suit.
Let’s Play Knockout Dart’s Ian ‘Diamond’ White is aiming to capitalize on a superb 12 months and complete a set of major qualifications seldom seen in professional darts.
After a PDC major debut at the 2011 UK Open, Ian endured a spell of second season syndrome! This was arrested and reversed following the decision to work closely with Mark ‘Mile High’ Hylton and the Let’s Play Knockout Darts team. As his results improved dramatically, Ian closed in on more major events and the 2011 Grand Slam and 2011/12 World Championships were added to the list.
The 2012 season to date is sparkling, as our Diamond reaches floor finals and later stages almost at will. This brings about two rewards, the influx of prize money, which enables relaxation and relieves pressure, and also ensures qualification for major events. However, as each event varies and calendars and rules change, it is very tough to achieve a complete set of these events whilst outside the automatic places (i.e. the top 16 and 32). Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Ian Diamond White, Lets Play Knockout Darts
Filed under Callum Harris, Darts Blog, General, News, PDC | Comments Off
Win a VIP Package to Ally Pally With Team Mile High
Posted on June 22nd, 2012
Fancy winning an exclusive all inclusive trip to the 2013 Ladbrokes PDC World Darts Championship?
Well, the good folks over at Team Hylton are seeking a promotional/souvenir video documenting Mark Hylton’s incredible rise over the last couple of years, from amateur league player to the world of elite darts.
As such, this competition will be well suited to techies, film buffs, You Tube experts etc and anyone else with an artistic flair. The prize on offer is superb and is well worth the effort.
Can you think of an original short promotional film to assist Mark in attracting support both commercially and from darts fans? If so read on….. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Ally Pally, Competition, Mark Hylton, Mile High
Filed under Callum Harris, Competitions, Darts Blog, News, PDC | Comments Off
2012 UK Open Review by The Suit
Posted on June 15th, 2012
The Suit gave us his insight into the 2012 UK Open just prior to the Tournament commencing, here he looks back at those tips and hints. How did his less obvious picks, designed to provide a bit of additional information and colour, fare in the ‘FA Cup of darts?
UK Open Ones to Watch, By The Suit
The Elite
The Top 16 nearly always provides the majority of the latter stage players, despite the Opens tendency to throw up surprises. Last year Wes Newton made his first major final, and the semi finals were made up of three players from the Top 10 of the time – Wes, James Wade & Mark Webster with the wily and consistent Denis Ovens making up the 4th place.
Relatively predictably the highest ranked player (Wade) won the event. Despite some chopping and changing the top 10 look much the same, with the exception of Andy Hamilton’s superb rise over the last 10 months. The Hammer has not performed well at The Reebok, could he make an impression in 2012? Or maybe the Premier League taken a toll. A resurgent Barney has been looking better and better and appears to be a man on a mission, could the open draw arrangement favour the Dutchman? Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under Callum Harris, Darts Results, News, PDC, Tournament News, UK Open | Comments Off
PDC Stars Ready For Speedy Hire UK Open
Posted on June 5th, 2012
It’s that time of year again folks, the first televised PDC major of 2012 is almost upon us. The F.A. Cup of Darts aka The Speedy Hire UK Open starts in Bolton Thursday June 7th and will feature all the unique aspects of this fantastic event. Who will cause the shocks, which qualifiers will take the pro’s by surprise and who will burst through to the later stages and announce their pedigree for a future high level career!
The LPKOD team will have strong representation at this event, so of course will many other groups, area’s or even teams. For our purposes here we shall look at the preparations and chances of another two rising PDC stars. The deadly duo of Ian “Diamond” White & Mark “Mile High” Hylton.
Both are making their second professional appearance at Bolton although Mark had visited before as a amateur qualifier in 2007. The chances of an LPKOD clash increase with every success and it would be a tragedy for these two close friends who have helped each other so much to have to battle it out on the main stage at Bolton, but that’s professional darts!
Tags: Ian White, Mark Hylton, UK Open
Filed under Callum Harris, PDC, Tournament News, UK Open | Comments Off
UK Open ‘Diamond’ VIP Package
Posted on June 1st, 2012
2012 Speedy UK Open Sponsorship Opportunity
Join Ian ‘Diamond’ White as he returns to Bolton next week to compete in the ‘FA Cup of Darts’. The UK Open will be staged at the Reebok Stadium from 7 June 2012 and is broadcast on Sky Sports.
Ian has just one special VIP sponsor package available which includes:
- Your company name/logo on Ian’s shirt patch
- 2 tickets for Ian’s opening game on Friday 8 June 2012
- Hotel accommodation
- Souvenir program
- Set of Ian’s darts
If you or your company would like to take advantage of this unique opportunity please contact Callum Harris for more details: Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Darts Sponsorship, Ian Diamond White VIP Package, Mark Hylton
Filed under Callum Harris, News, PDC, Tournament News, UK Open | Comments Off
Have you visited the DartsMad online darts shop? All the best in darts, dart boards, darts shirts and all other darts equipment & accessories from top brands like Unicorn, Winmau, Target, Bulls etc all at great prices with fast delivery. We have thousands of items in available with more stock added every week.
