Porter reiterates World Matchplay crowd goal: "That means a full and very lively Winter Gardens"

Matt Porter as Chief Executive of the PDC has gone through a lot of challenges like many in sport during the Coronavirus pandemic.

But with a potential light at the end of the tunnel and the return of fans, it is starting to look up and for Porter speaking to Darts World, he believed this mid-2021 goal was always there.

“As soon as the vaccine roll-out began at the end of last year, we always had our minds set to mid-2021 as a return to normality," he said to Darts World.

Like alluded to fans returned recently at the Premier League and for Porter, it made the tournament extra special towards the end.

"All the players thrived on the experience of once again performing in front of fans but for him - Jonny Clayton - to lift the trophy in that atmosphere gave the tournament an authentic feeling."

But now his aim will be the World Matchplay and pending the removal of restrictions, a full crowd will adorn the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. This is still the aim of Porter and the PDC team.

"It’s our goal to have a regular World Matchplay in Blackpool - and that means a full and very lively Winder Gardens.”