Ally Pally darts was very totally different 50 years in the past – with ties and gamers smoking

On Jan 3, 2024

One glimpse on the Paddy Power PDC World Darts Championship’s rowdy vibrant crowd and you may inform darts is hardly a ‘gentleman’s sport’.

Fancy costume costumes donned by pint-sinking followers fill Alexandra Palace on any given night time over the festive interval. Cheering, booming entry music, soccer chants and even booing are all thought-about half and parcel of darts’ greatest competitors within the modern-day.

The carnival sort ambiance and followers’ antics even resulted in Gerwyn Price carrying a pair of headphones to dam out the abuse final 12 months. But rewind 50 years, and attending the top of darts was a really totally different expertise.

Watching footage from the News of the World’s World Darts Championship again in 1974 is like entering into an alternate world. The prestigious competitors was, extremely, even held at Ally Pally through the interval from 1963 to 1977 as it’s at the moment.

12,000 folks could possibly be seen in attendance, not carrying Teletubbies or Minions costumes, however extra subtle apparel within the type of long-sleeved shirts and fits. One quarter-final match confirmed competitor Eddie Brown in a shirt – sleeves rolled up – and a tie to go with his suave slicked again hair.

Do you favor darts now or again within the day? Let us know within the comments part.

Players wore ties during matches — Players wore ties throughout matches

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Opponent Peter Chapman nonchalantly puffed on a cigarette as he threw his darts, likewise dressed to the nines in a pink shirt and waistcoat combo – a far cry from the ill-fitting vibrant-coloured tops worn by stars at the moment.

And the brutal format solely added to the spectacle because the cameraman wobbled round on the dart board, little question feeling the strain of the event. The News of the World was a primary to 2 legs format, making it far shorter than at the moment’s competitors and, in consequence, far tougher to win.

Competitors were under huge pressure with the short format — Competitors have been underneath enormous strain with the brief format

There were no fancy dress costumes in the crowd — There have been no fancy costume costumes within the crowd

That all added to the status of the event, which started in 1927 and led to 1990. It returned for its swansong in 1997 earlier than being discontinued once more because of the underwhelming response.

But Phil Taylor, the winner of 16 World Championships, ranked beating Ian White 2-0 in June 1997’s remaining because the spotlight of his profession. “I’ve gained 5 world titles – however this one means all the pieces,” Taylor stated on the time.