Darryl Fitton blasts BDO in scathing review

Darryl Fitton has pulled no punches in his assessment of the BDO.

Fitton is one of the BDO's most enduring stars, and was 16th seed at the World Championship in January. After 16 years as part of the organisation, the Stockport-born thrower has stated without reservation that the only way he believes the organisation has gone is down. That's despite a recent move by new chairman Des Jacklin to on entry to BDO events, as well as BDO players' participation in PDC Q-School. "The BDO has been going downhill for the last few years," Fitton told in an interview. "What the new Chairman has done is open the gates for more people to enter the tournaments. "It's got to be a positive but no matter what he does, he'll have his fans and his haters, that's the problem with the BDO system." 'The Dazzler' has become much more involved in the grassroots game as Target's Head of Youth Development. It's there, he feels, that the BDO is letting itself down most. "The youth system in the BDO is non-existent and that is the biggest problem," the 56-year-old said. "There's no structure, the BDO has to start from scratch and a get decent youth system, like the PDC is doing. "At the moment, there's nothing and it needs a total revamp." While Jacklin's early moves have shaken things up, it remains to be seen what long-term aims the BDO will be able to meet. The likes of Fitton, who jumped ship and attended Q-School in January, may not hang around to find out.