Legend League Launch

Legends Bristow, Lowe, Lazarenko and Anderson were at Old Trafford for the launch of the league, which is set to bring back some memories when the first night’s action gets underway at The Circus Tavern.

A £20,000 prize awaits the eventual champion and Fred Done, founder of Betfred cannot wait for the action to get underway, telling Setanta Sports News: "I am really excited about doing this.

"When it was put to me about The League of Legends it had a ring to it and I fancied it straight away. I said ‘yeah let’s do it’ and now that I’ve met these guys I know I’ve made the right decision. It’s going to be successful."

Three-time world champion Lowe has promised a high-quality event to the fans, saying: "I think they will see things that they will be quite surprised of. People may want to compare it to the modern day, the likes of Phil Taylor and that and say ‘well, you are not as good as them.’ I don’t think you’ll get that.

"I think you will see real drama, a match that has already been played in the past, only this time I think it will be better.

"I think the standard will be a lot better than people realise and I think they can get the 180 cards ready to hold up because I think there will be 180’s."

Lazarenko added: "I think the first night is going to be the edgiest night at The Circus Tavern.

"It’s going to be the first run-out for most of us but we have been around long enough and we know what to do and how to do it. It’s just about putting things together and the finishing touches so the next three or four weeks, we shall be putting a little bit more extra time in and hopefully we will have it right on the night.

Bristow is among the outsiders, despite having won the world championship five times, but he does not care and cannot wait to get started, saying: "I think I’m 16-1, I think I’m last but hopefully that will change if I beat Bobby [George] in the first game.

"The betting does not mean anything at the moment. It will all change after the first week and then the second week. Every game is going to be different, you have to be ready for the other player, so it will be exciting.

"Roll on, let’s get on with it!"

The League of Legends will begin in Purfleet before visiting Blackburn, Stoke and Reading in a round-trip back to The Circus Tavern.