Legends break new ground in Blackburn

GOING to the King George^s Hall on Friday night was like taking a step back in time.

It took me back to my childhood when the end of the year meant darts and the world championships.

This was before the days of "The Power" and "Hawaii 501", razzmatazz and walk-on girls.

These were the days of smoke-filled halls and characters.

And although the game has changed, it^s reassuring to see that the legends of yesteryear are still the greats they always were.

The League of Legends maybe a new concept, but it^s one that can only get bigger.

It^s a seniors tour for darts players who still want to play, but don^t want the bind of the demands of professional darts anymore.

Okay, the scoring isn^t as heavy as on the main tours and, sure, the crowds aren^t as big.

But the players who helped to bring darts out of the pub and into the mainstream sure know how to put on a good show.

And the 800 or so arrows fans will surely agree.

They cheered every throw - even though some of them weren^t great - and really made the atmosphere as good as it ever was.

And Bob Anderson, who completed a 7-2 demolition of John Lowe, believes that the League of Legends is here to stay.

The "Limestone Cowboy" said: "If you look at the personnel in the League of Legends, we^re the pioneers that laid the foundations upon which today^s popularity is built.

"And now were breaking new ground at the other end for others to follow in the future.

"There will come a time when Phil Taylor, the legend that he is, will want to join the League of Legends. The stars of today will become the legends of tomorrow.

"Darts has grown bigger than I ever thought it would and I can^t see anything stopping it.

"Its popularity is immense because it^s tailor-made for television. It^s easy to understand and it^s fast. The sky^s the limit.

"Being called a legend isn^t something that sits too easily with me as yet when I^m in the company of John Lowe and Eric Bristow, but I^m sure I^ll get used to it."

Dave Whitcombe, who leads the League of Legends after he beat Bobby George on Friday night, is also confident the new venture can be a huge success after the reception they had in Blackburn.

He said: "The Lancashire crowds are always knowledgable crowds. If you look at county darts, Lancashire and Yorkshire always head the table.

"We^ve had a great reception here and it^s fantastic to see so many people turn out to see us. Usually, when you buy tickets for a tournament, you don^t know who you are going to see.

"But every person who paid their money knew they were coming to see us.

"They remembered us from the past and they^ve turned out in force to cheer us on."