"The pressure of the Premier League", it is now a traditional theme in Jacques Nieuwlaat's commentary. Are you a player going through a good season, and the busy darts post-season is just around the corner? Then you know you have to perform, to be among the crème de la crème which tours for 16 weeks.
Players who compete earn tons of money. Unsurprisingly, the travelling circus is a constant worry. The biggest players competing against each other on a weekly basis is the wet dream of every viewer who wants to get their money's worth after a busy Thursday. The bombastic atmosphere in all the halls must have been experienced.
As a 17-year loyal follower, I also got to experience it in person once: May 2010. The circus was in Newcastle. I traveled there with my father, as a 12-year-old boy. It was a hive of activity: everyone was dressed up, and no one sat still. Constantly busy with the cameras and with signs.
I won't soon forget it especially because of the clash between Mervyn King and Raymond van Barneveld. Anyone not from yesterday knows that King is not loved. From the first second, the crowd had to have him: he was booed from start to finish. Not so smart to then challenge the crowd even more, King being King. The Hague darts master won 8-5.
Every Premier League round something simply happens. Van Barneveld with several 9-darts, Manley grazing Taylor and copying his board-signing act, records from Van Gerwen, fascinating clashes between Anderson/Lewis and Van Gerwen. So many to mention. Still, I grew tired of it several years ago.
Not only am I bored of the Premier League, but also of all the other tournaments that are for exposure: the World Series... the Masters. You're a fan or you're not, every dart flying into a board in front of the camera is one. Only I find that my attention wanes with yet another Price v Van Gerwen, or Wright v Price.
I'd rather follow the Euro Tours or Player Championships every week. The top of darts passes by there too, and they often play refreshing names. The enthusiast in me knows that those players also arrive at the Euro Tours demolished after a Premier League trip. Little recovery time and it exhausts players.
You also see that the, in my words, milked tournaments (darts for darts' sake) take their toll on players. And then the following year, when they drop out of the Premier League, you see their game pick up again. They have more time to themselves and therefore more balanced. Having to meet the expectations of fans and sponsors can be stifling.
Of course, the World Series then bring benefits. Darts needs to be promoted, but then I personally value tours more. Like you have the Asia Tour, the tournaments in China, the North American Tours, Scandinavian tours, and recently also a Caribbean/South American Tour!
If you want players from unfamiliar regions to become competitive, you have to let them compete with each other at least bi/three-weekly. In short, value the ranking tournaments a bit more. Then you'll enjoy a Wright v Price in a major more again, you can follow the adventures of newcomers like Slevin and Van Veen full of expectation... and darts really develop within.
Column written by Stijn Wielinga
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