It is time for darting action to return to the Circus Tavern with some of the biggest legends in the sport set to play at the 2022 World Seniors Darts Championship starting on Thursday evening.
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The first round takes place first with many of the main World Champions e.g Phil Taylor, Martin Adams, John Part and Trina Gulliver MBE coming in during the second round.
They will play the winners of the opening games which take place over the evening session on Thursday and afternoon session on Friday with all matches best of five sets until the Semi-Finals.
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Up first on the oche in Purfleet will be a former World Champion who famously had a walk-on involving a horse at the venue in Bob Anderson.
Health and safety wouldn't allow for that to take place now but 'The Limestone Cowboy' will face a potentially quality clash against Robert Thornton.
'The Thorn' fresh off Q-School is one of the only players still active in professional darts involved so poses a tricky threat for Anderson - who is known to still play at Super League level so still competitively but hasn't played on TV since his League of Legends win back in 2008. The winner to play Trina Gulliver MBE.
Following that, it will be the battle of the walk-ons as Peter 'One Dart' Manley will walk on to the dulcet tones of Amarillo against Deta Hedman who will be feeling 'Hot Hot Hot' with 'The Heart of Darts' aiming to erase the narrative of a potential reunion between Manley and Phil Taylor in the second round.
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Manley who barring a few run-outs at Q-School has been mainly putting his time and effort into the PDPA as the Chairman, while for Hedman, she is still winning titles and has been a perennial winner for a long time so those dreaming of the reunion may not get it.
Following that is a real intriguing tie as two former World Finalists collide in Tony O'Shea and Kevin Painter.
Two of the top names on the exhibition circuit, it could be one of the ties of the first round if both players are on it with Wayne Warren awaiting the winner tomorrow evening.
From O'Shea to one of his best friends and another fan favourite in Darryl Fitton who will be hoping to go 'One Step Beyond' the first round at the Circus Tavern.
He faces Richie Howson though. He qualified through in Newbury late last year and 'The Owl' who has big stage experience has the potential edge of only living just down the road so can he harness that to see off 'The Dazzler'.
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Schedule - 2022 World Seniors Darts Championship
Thursday 3 February (7pm)
First Round
Robert Thornton v Bob Anderson
Peter Manley v Deta Hedman
Tony O'Shea v Kevin Painter
Darryl Fitton v Richie Howson
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- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026