Dartoids World

Column #349 Help find The Phantom Darts Player!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Column 349
Help find The Phantom Darts Player!

It was a Saturday night, and Stevenage was ready.
The stage was set among the audience of many.
The Legends of Darts where in town,
Who dare challenge, and take a crown.
A guy in his thirty’s approached from the crowd,
I will play, he called out loud.
With borrowed darts in hand, he threw
as if they where the Unicorn brand.

Sixty, followed by a ton, one hundred and eighty,
And the task was almost done.
ONE-SIX-ONE, three darts left, a matter of seconds,
And Mr. Bristow was bereft.

The guy left the stage to rapturous applause,
Eric just smiled, mouth open with shock,
He had just been beaten by one of the flock.

Now the search has begun for the guy named Pete,
Maybe he is English, Scottish, or even a Crete.
We know he is out there, waiting to be found,
Waiting to be named the best player around.

The search will go on for this legend elect,
His award will be waiting for him to collect,
Bristow is eager, a rematch awaits,
Find us the Phantom, we have the dates.

That’s the only way he can be described at the moment: The Phantom.

Last Saturday, the Legends of the Oche tour was playing at the Leisure Centre in Stevenage. The show had reached the part where my close personal friend Eric Bristow plays guests from the audience. Note that no one knows they will be chosen to compete. Duncan Norvelle goes into the audience and picks players at random. On this occasion he chose a bloke who had come with a party of lads who where celebrating a stag night.

Once on the stage, and after a couple of warm up throws, the challenger threw first. The rest is history, and it was recorded at lightening speed.

His scores: 60 – 100 – 180 – 161-finish.

Bristow was dumbfounded, and that is almost impossible to do.

Paul Wilson, who was calling the scores, could not get the words “GAME SHOT” out. He was in disbelief.

Norvelle was quick to announce, “The show was running late till you got up.”

The guy said “sorry” to Eric, and left the stage to rapturous applause.

Suffice it to say the 400 people in the audience at Stevenage were more than delighted with this magnificent win.

Bristow and Bobby George recalled afterwards that they have never had a player win in such style before against them. For John Lowe’s part, he commented that “no one has ever come close to achieving a maximum, followed by a 161 finish against me in the 42 years I have been playing darts, and that includes television tournaments, World Cups, and local league.”

Unfortunately, this amazing dart player’s full name was not recorded. Currently he has disappeared – but the search is on to find him.

“Until we get his name, we can only say ‘well done’”, continued Lowe. “He should have ‘The Phantom Darter’ embroidered onto his shirt, and claim the Legends of Darts bestowed the honor.”

In subsequent days it was learned that this amazing player who shocked Erik Bristow into silence in twelve borrowed darts goes by the first name of Pete – but, except that he probably lives in the Hertford area, this is all that is known.

So now a full court press is on to find The Phantom and reveal his identity worldwide. If he can be located before February 26 he will be offered an invitation to the Bedford Corn Exchange for a rematch with the Crafty Cockney.

If you know anything about this mystery tungsten-tosser extraordinaire, contact John Lowe immediately at [email protected].

From the Field,

Dartoid

(Portions of the above were borrowed with permission from the Legends of Darts website at Legends of Darts.)

Author

  • Dartoid

    "Dartoid" is the pseudonym of Paul Seigel, a prominent chronicler of darts for over 35 years. His columns are celebrated for their wit and insight, often detailing his quest for a game in exotic locales worldwide. His writing offers vibrant commentary on the competitive darts landscape, including players, organizations, tournaments and the sport's unique culture. Dartoid's articles are highly regarded among darts enthusiasts, solidifying his role as a pivotal figure in promoting and documenting darts as both a recreational pastime and professional sport.