PDPA Interviews     -   TO THE POINT !

Fanzone brings you all the games top players as they get TO THE POINT !

Is there something you’ve always wanted to ask a top professional darts player, well here’s your chance. Fanzone gives  you, the fans,  the opportunity to ask a question to the chosen professional.

Email us your questions and we’ll put them to the chosen player for them to answer.

Kevin Painter Gets TO THE POINT

Hi Kevin, it’s great to be interviewing you for the PDPA Fanzone. Firstly congratulations on you Premier League wildcard selection, how do you feel things went for you ?

Thanks,yeah im happy really, i started well,  won 3 and lost 3,although i feel i could have scored a bit better and maybe should of had another 2 points, was still in with a shout of the play-offs up until the last night of league action, so can’t complain.

You must be very pleased with how your playing and of course winning the Players Championships Finals ?

 My forms been good since last August and obviously delighted to have won the players championships finals in december.

Your one of only a handful of players to have won a PDC televised ‘major’, that must fill you with pride ?

 Yeah very proud and its a great feeling to win a tv major.as its not easy to do in the phil Taylor era !!

That World final was one of the greatest ever played, do you still think about it and how close you were to becoming World Champion or have you dismissed it from your mind now ?

 I dont think about that as much as other people do! Obviously it crops up quite often in chats at exhibitions,it still is one of my greatest days in my career,not many people get to play in a world championship final.

Starting out did you ever believe you would achieve what you have ?

When i started playing i got quite good quite quickly,and used to watch darts on tv in the Bristow,Lowe,Wilson era and used to think i wouldnt mind a bit of that lifestyle! but never really thought if i may one day be there.

Growing up who were your favourite players and who inspired you to think you could do it too ?

 Eric Bristow was my hero,i loved his sort of arrogance and stage presence.Mentally i inspired myself and pushed myself into putting the time and effort in.

In your long and successful career there must be many high points, what would you list as your five best moments in darts to date ?

 My best moment was winning the players championship in December 2011,Getting selected for this years McCoys Premier league is 2nd as it proves that you are at the top of your game,3rd would be playing in the world final in 2004 and almost winning it,4th would be when i was 17 years old and only just started playing,winning a comp that the prize was a trip to spain,it was a 4 man team game run by Greene King in 1984.,and 5th would be being selected and playing for England,a great honour.

There has obviously been low points too along the way, what are your worst moments on the oche ?

 Worst moments are any defeat particlarly if i play poorly on tv,as usually thats where i perform best. 

The standard of darts now is astonishing, have you found you have had to increase / alter your practice routines in order to compete with the best ?

 I definately practice more now than i did a few a years ago,the standard now is incredible so i its whats required.

Do you believe you can still improve your game and get even better ?

Theres always room for improvement and im always looking for ways to improve and i know i could be better than some of my performances have shown at times. 

Are you a good practiser, is this a part of the game that you enjoy ?

 To be honest im not that great wnen i practice and i have to say its not something i particularly enjoy,but it has to be done.

We’re not too far away from the SpeedyServices UK Open which signals the start of the televised ‘majors’. Do you firmly believe you can add another of these ‘majors’ to go with your Players title in 2012 ?

 Every time i play in a tv major i believe i can win it,but with the standard so high you just cannot see whats in store for you.I do believe i can add to my title though. 

Talking of the UK Open, the qualifiers this year have changed slightly with there now being an open draw, are you in favour of this ?

Havent really thought too much on this one but clearly 1st rnd draws could be trickier at times,although i do think we have to have seeded events to reward players that have performed well.

Most of your weekends nowadays are filled with PDC events, when there are no events how do you relax away from the oche ?

 Off the oche my time is taken up with my 6 year old daughter Madison,i also like to watch tv alot and im a season ticket holder at Ipswich Town FC so i go to watch them whenever i can.

You recently paraded your Players Championship trophy to the fans of your beloved Ipswich Town football club, that must have been a special moment ?

 That is something i have always wanted to do,i wanted to do it with the world championship trophy but it was a great moment all the same.

Aside from trying to add another ‘major’ title to your collection in 2012 what are your main aims for the Pro Tour ?

My main aim is to be more consistant especially at floor events where i never seem to do myself justice,i really should be winning 1 or 2 of them each year.  

Many thanks Kevin for the interview and everyone at the PDPA Fanzone wishes you all the best and continued success for 2012.

 Thanks alot very much appreciated. KP

Interview brought to you by Andrew Devonshire PDPA Fanzone

Ted Hankey gets TO THE POINT

Hi Ted, it’s great to be interviewing you for the PDPA Fanzone. Firstly welcome to the PDC, how do you feel it’s going for you so far ?

Thanks.. Its going ok slow start but its was a big change to what i was used too.　

Was it a tough decision to leave the BDO after all those successful years and why now did you make that decision ?

Yes very tough but I just felt the time was right for me now　

You’ve probably found already that your playing a lot more events, are you relishing this ?

Yes its a big challenge and i need to change my whole approach　

Are you practicing more now than you ever have to challenge in these events ?

Yes because the standard is high and you need to be on the top of your game from the start　

How did it all start for you Ted, how did you first get involved in darts ?

Just the usual really down the pub with my mates having a game joined a team started to play well asked to play county went from there 　

Starting out did you ever believe you would have achieved what you have and be a two-time World Champion ?

No it was only in the late ninety’s that i started to think about it after winning some of the bigger opens　

You probably have the most natural and smoothest throw in darts, is that how you threw the very first time you picked up a dart ?

Yes I have always thrown this way 　

What would you list as your five best moments in your darts career to date ?

The 2 world champ wins, the first time i played in the worlds, winning the 1999 Dutch open singles and pairs, and my first England cap.

Every player has low points in their career, what are your worst moments on the darts oche ?

To many the say sorry　

You’ve been known to lose your cool a bit at times while on the oche, is this something that you realise you are doing at the time ?

No I just get so caught up in the game and get very frustrated when things go wrong and i wear my heart on my sleeve

The crowd react to you in good and bad ways as they did at the Grand Slam of Darts, what do you think about this when they are ‘having a go at you’ as it were ?

I try not to think about it i just want my darts to do the talking and hopefully that will win them over　

The Premier League is played in front of crowds from 4,000 – 8,000 plus, would you relish this and be up for the challenge if given the opportunity ?

Yes i would love to play in the Premier league and as long as i get it right i should do ok.

You are a two-time World Champion and came close this year to making it to another World Final, do you believe that you have another World title in you ?

I would give up playing if i didnt think i could win another world title　　

As a lakeside semi-finalist you accepted the offer of a PDC Tour card. If you had failed to reach the Lakeside last four would you have gone to the PDC Qualifying school to have gained a card ?

Yes I was going to go and play in the Q school especially after the players meeting on Friday night at lakeside

Is there anything you miss from your BDO days ?

Yes lots been playing BDO darts for a long time all the other players and I’m sure come the next lakeside it will be strange not to be going but I have new challenges now　

Looking back do you wish you had made the move to the PDC sooner ?

A part of me does (hind sight and all that) but its done now 　

You’ve had a tough start on the PDC tour, the standard is so high. What are your aims / goals for this year on the PDC Pro tour ?

To try and climb up the rankings as quickly as i can and qualify for as many tv tournaments as i can.　

Many thanks Ted for this interview and from everyone at the PDPA Fanzone we wish you all the best for 2012 as you embark on the challenge of life in the PDC.

Thanks very much regards

Ted

Interview brought to you by Andrew Devonshire PDPA Fanzone 

Steve Beaton gets TO THE POINT

Raymond van Barneveld gets TO THE POINT

PDPA Fanzone welcomes 5 time World Champion to the Fanzone.

Its fair to say the last few years you haven’t had the success you usually do, you’ve changed your darts on and off, why did you do this after being so successful before ?

Are you happy with your current set up, darts, dart weight, flights etc or will you continue to change to find the ‘perfect’ throw, if there is such a thing ?

Going back to the beginning, how did you get interested in darts ?

 I was following the Embassy for years i saw Bristow , Lowe , Anderson and Wilson and i wanted to be as good as them and earn money so that i could become a pro.

Did you ever believe that you would have had the success you have had and become a 5 time World Champion when you first started ?

When you left the BDO to join the PDC it must have been a difficult decision at the time, looking back do you wish you had made the switch sooner ?

The upcoming Grand Slam of Darts features players from both the PDC and BDO, do you think this is good for the game and do you enjoy the format of the event ?

Aside from Phil Taylor, who has been your toughest opponent and why ?

There are many PDC televised events now, the fans love the players ‘walk-ons’, who came up with the Rocky theme ‘Eye of the Tiger’ for you and why that one ?

You have recently released your autobiography, whilst it must have been hard work, there must have been many fond memories that would have sprung to mind reviewing your career to date, what memories stand out for you ?

You won the recent PDC World Cup with Co Stompe representing The Netherlands. That must have been a special moment representing your country again, is that something you miss from your BDO days ?

 Yes that was a great tournament winning with Co was brilliant we know each other for many years  and we were a team there,  which i cannot say for a lot of other teams.

PDC darts is booming at the moment and thats certainly the case in Holland. It must give you great pleasure seeing all the youngsters coming through to become the next Raymond van Barneveld ?

 Holland has brilliant youth they almost all start to play when i won the Lakeside but i believe there is no future in Darts in Holland anymore no sponsors no nothing hardly tv no live games too bad because we had great years.

The PDC along with Unicorn have taken great strides to help the young players with the introduction of the Youth Tour and Youth World Championship, the future looks bright ?

What does the future hold for Ray Barneveld, do you see yourself competing for the PDC major titles in 10 years time ?

The World Championships are not far away, when will you start your build-up for darts biggest event, will you follow your normal practice routines, or do things change as you bid to become World Champion again ?

 Begin november with the mental training  for the worlds, but i can’t believe that the pdc put to organise the Players Championship finals before that tournament,  absolutely ridiculous.

Thanks very much Ray for your time and everyone at PDPA Fanzone wishes you all the best for the rest of 2011, the World Championships and beyond.

Many thanks Ray,

Interview brought to you by Andrew Devonshire PDPA Fanzone

PAUL  NICHOLSON GETS TO THE POINT.

 PDPA Fanzone welcomes one of darts’ hottest properties, Paul Nicholson.

Welcome Paul, your having a great 2011, how would you describe how it’s gone so far for you ?

I think my first 6 months of 2011 have been exremely successful. I set myself specific goals when 2010 finished a i felt my game was on the cusp of going the wrong way after the World Championships. After moving home, changing my lifestyle a little bit and re-assessing my social life, i feel i am a better person, a fitter man and a better dart player.

Bolton was an incredible tournament for you, you defeated Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor in the same day, that must have been special ?

It certainly was an incredible day for me. It is one of those days in your career that you can’t really put a value on, from an experience perspective. I feel like if you always look back on positive things that you do, like that day in Bolton, there is no reason why you can’t stay confident for a long time to come. It was a great shame that i couldn’t win the whole tournament, but because of the strength of the players as a whole, you can never afford to let your game slip 1% and still expect silverware. James was just that little bit too solid for me that Sunday afternoon.

There seems to be a little bit of rivalry between you and Phil Taylor, you’ve beaten ‘The Power’ twice on TV now, not many players have achieved that. You will meet again and when you do how do you propose to deal with that ?

I think there is a lot of professional respect between myself and Mr Taylor and a rivalry certainly has been carved from the matches we have already taken part in. Other people who have played Phil have not found a way to stay focused and just play the board when the match starts, but when i play the world number 1 or number 200 i am always focused and ready for a war. I take every game personally and fight to the death everytime and i think that is one of the things that Phil likes about my game. He knows that i am not afraid of playing him and in the modern dart player that is becoming all too common now.

Going back to the start, how did you get into darts, who were your favourite players when you were growing up ?

When i was growing up i idolised Bob Anderson first, then took a real shine to Dennis Priestley. I loved how aggressive and passionate Bob was and still is and when i met him for the first time last year i was in my element. He showed me that you can be an explosive dart player on the board and a really great person away from the game. I see that in Dennis too and that’s why to this day i still get nervous talking to him. I started playing very young, at 3 years old. I grew up in a very small town and you either took to a sport or two as a child or got into trouble. I chose darts and a few other vocations and from a very early age i was very good, purely because my dad would practice with me for hours, even when he came in from a 12 hour shift at the shipyards. I owe a lot to my dad, my mum and my grandad for all the time they spent with me when i was a kid. I only started playing competitively at 18 years old as there was no real youth system where i was, but i wouldn’t change a thing because i have met some amazing people along the way and the players i have played with have shaped my career.

Have you always wanted to be a Darts Pro and is it all you imagined it would be ?

I always dreamed of being a professional but never really thought it would happen. It was a real dream for me to play in my first World Championship and that was my only realistic ambition when i was in my 20′s. Looking back now i think my family work ethic made me want to do something remarkable with that debut and making the quarter-finals on my first attempt was Roy of the Rovers stuff for someone like me. Playing the Pro tour week in week out now is terrific. I am now very good friends with players i idolised growing up and i always remember that i am doing something that others would like to do with their lives so i take nothing for granted.

Your well established now within the PDC, what were you doing in the darting world prior to joining the PDC ?

In my early 20′s i was a regular player for Northumberland in the inter-counties matches. I played super-league and another couple of very competitive leagues in the South East Northumberland area. I played in a few tournaments too, but when i was working long hours, my time was taken up by that a lot more. I won a few county divisions, a lot of local trophies and was lucky enough to take part in a few BDO events like The National play-offs for the World Masters and the British Open. When i was in Australia, i found my inner match player and decided it was time to either start playing really well or put my darts away. I played a match against Tony David in October 2007 and lost 4-2, but i came away from that match thinking i should have won. I went away from that event and changed my darts, changed my attitude and started to dominate the DPA circuit literally 6 weeks later, the rest they say is history !

The Grand Slam of Darts see’s players from both organisations coming together, do you enjoy this style of event ?

I think the concept of having BDO & PDC players in the same arena is very important and having only one of those types of event makes it even more prestigious. I love playing the format as much as it can lead to some strange scenarios. I have been involved in a couple of these, but it’s all part of the tournament. I think the Grand Slam this year will be the best yet. I will be very interested to see how Dean Winstanley & Jan Dekkertake to the crowds and how the crowds take to them. I for one cannot wait for Wolves in November, as it’s one of the main stay events now and hopefully will be enhanced with the change in broadcaster this time around.

Some questions from Fanzone followers Paul. Darts Maniac asks – How hard was it to start playing with no glasses after eye surgery ?

It was a little strange at first, but to be frank, life in general was a bit strange when the glasses went in the bin. The transition had to be quick and it took me a couple of weeks to really focus properly on the board but now i am used to it, It’s a wonderful thing that my flights no longer flick against my frames.

Jeff asks – Have you ever hit a 9 darter in competition, if so when & where ?

I have never hit a competitive 9 darter to date, but have hit 17 in practice. I have been extremely close on many occassions this year, but haven’t closed the deal yet. I am sure one will come very soon though.

Dan Nicol asks – How long do you practice for and what routines do you use both for scoring & doubles and also how do you train to maintain concentration especially in long matches ( i find i can play well for half a dozrn legs then go off the boil ) ?

I have always maintained that physical fitness enhances mental strength and fitness for long matches, hence why i train so much. I do a lot of spinning, running & yoga which gives me that little edge i need. You always have to simulate being in top match scenarios in practice, so that when they do come around you are ready to face the challenge. I do practice around 25 hours a week and treat that as my job. Work on doubles & scoring is paramount and i would say i work more on doubles. Different fun games against other friends/players are the way forwardas you don’t get bored easily. These games are very difficult to explain via text means, so if you want to know more please ask me at any pro tour that you may attend in future.

Steve180 asks – If you could change the outcome of a particular match you’ve been involved in which would it be & why ?

That is a tough question to answer as there have been a few over the years that have stuck in my memory. Being put on the spot, i would have to say my quarter-final against James Wade  at my first World Championships in 2009. After playing so well throughout the event to then play really poorly against James  was a hard pill to swallow and it robbed me of the chance of Grand Slam qualification in 2009, a premier league chance, extra prize money and a game against Ray van Barneveld in the semi-finals. That defeat hurt very much, but i was naive back then and have learned from it.

Are you hoping to get selected for the next Premier league, is playing in front of those huge crowds something you would relish ?

I honestly believe i have put myself in a great position to try and get into the 2012 Premier league. The crowds deserve some character, someone whi is hungry and feisty. I think i tick all the boxes, but i am not going to rest on that as i believe i have to earn that spot up until final selection time. I would dearly love to go on tour with the guys and showcase my skills even more. I can certainly imagine big games in places like Aberdeen, London & Newcastle being something quite extraordinary for the viewers, broadcasters and for myself.

There are still quite a few big TV events to come this year before we get to the World Championships, what are your goals for these events ?

Without any doubt i want to win at least one of them. I have had a steady start to the majors this year, but i feel there is something in the tank that is waiting to come out and i would love that to be the world title as it’s the one that everyone wants and is the culmination of our entire year.

What would you say is your greatest match that you’ve played to date & why ?

One match stands out here. My match with Dennis Priestley at the 2009 World Championships as it was a game where i was playing against my hero and had to come from two sets to nil down to win 4-2. I showed myself and others what i was made of that day. From an entertainment perspective two matches really dominate the talk of my fans & supporters. The win against Mr Taylor in the semi-finals of the Players Championship Finals 2010 because of the tension of the game, my finishing and the emotion i showed when i won. On top of that my game with Adrian Lewis in the World Chasmpioships a couple of years ago, again big finishing, but more importantly because that game showcased just how good i can be in a pressure filled encounter.

How do you relax away from the oche and the pressure’s of the game ?

I am a very avid golfer away from darts. I have a handicap of around 6 just now and i take the game seriously. It does however allow me to go for long walks, focus on something other than my career and spend time with my brother who is one of my best friends. Aside from that, as many of my Twitter followers will know i am a mad fan of WWE, i draw incredible inspiration from that stuff for darts and can’t get enough of the action. I love to watch ice hockey & American football, my teams are both from Pittsburgh, with the Steelers and Penguins both being very good teams. Lastly some other thing that i love to do would include, my fitness training, spending time with friends at the local quiz or local restaurants. I also like to travel when i’m not working, my favourite places in the world would include Ontario in Canada, Pittsburgh, the south of Spain when i go away golfing and Hawaii was amazing when i went there.

Many thanks Paul for getting TO THE POINT and the PDPA Fanzone wishes you continued success for 2011 and we look forward to seeing you in your next match on the oche.

Interview brought to you by Andrew Devonshire, PDPA Fanzone.

Coming next ‘Mile High’ Mark Hylton gets TO THE POINT.

Email your questions for Mark now – devonshire@pdpa.co.uk