Darts’ Eccentric Stars Measure Up to Those of Other Sports

Monday, 24 August 2020 at 12:05

In a sporting world where sports scientists and statisticians do their best to tear the heart and soul out of what are essentially simple games, it is sometimes heart-warming when a player or two comes along who is more than just a machine; someone who is willing to engage with fans and entertain the masses.

That is exactly why darts players are some of the most beloved sports icons out there today, keeping themselves down to earth, while making sure the fans get their money’s worth.

In this article we look at how some of darts’ most flamboyant characters shape up to those from other sports, for no other reason than to have a bit of fun.

Darts – Peter Wright and Fallon Sherrock

Were this a list about characters who have graced the darts oche down through the generations, we would probably be talking about Bobby George or Eric Bristow, but because we are focusing on active current players we had to start with Peter Wright and Fallon Sherrock. Snakebite is the epitome of a charismatic sportsman, combining world class darting skills with the most outrageous haircut in sport and a feisty oche demeanour to boot.

Sherrock, meanwhile, is the official queen of Alexandra Palace, having gone on a record-breaking run at the 2020 PDC World Championships and now making waves on the regular tour. As her profile has grown so has her confidence, meaning the public is now warming even more to this budding national heroine.

Boxing – Tyson Fury and Dave Allen

Boxing is packed with loveable rogues and misfits. Tyson Fury and Dave Allen certainly fit right in, with one being the Ring Magazine champion of the world and the other being a box office draw thanks to social media jaunts rather than his fighting ability.

At the end of a Tyson Fury fight, you can always expect a song from the heavyweight champ, who has burst into everything from Aerosmith to American Pie after a big win.

Dave Allen, on the other hand, is a serial joker, whether he is playing around at weigh-ins or teasing his promoter, Eddie Hearn.

Football – Mario Balotelli and Zlatan Ibrahimović

Mario Balotelli and Zlatan Ibrahimović are two perfect examples of the old adage that fitting the mould is not always a good thing.

Both men have plied their trade in some of the biggest teams in the world and Zlatan continues to rattle goals in wherever he sets foot on a field. His self-styled Zlatan persona is an incredible piece of marketing that shows no signs of losing its popularity.

Whatever Zlatan does, it is likely that Balotelli has gone one better, certainly where escapades away from football are concerned and concerning antics which have become the stuff of legend in places like Manchester and Milan. These include paying every outstanding fine at the local university library or having £25,000 riding shotgun with him, just ‘because I can.’

Tennis – Serena Williams and Nick Kyrgios

Tennis is a sport that goes out of its way to actively discourage players having personalities, tearing all the fun out of Andre Agassi and creating robotic money-making machines like Adria Tour organiser Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal.

Two players who actively seek to do things their own way are Serena Williams and Nick Kyrgios.

Serena is the best player of any sex to lift a racket and has done so while launching her own fashion line and sporting outfits on the court such as a pink tutu and black catsuit.

Kyrgios is the modern-day John McEnroe, whose on-court rants consistently go viral, as do his unbelievable trick shots that befuddle the world’s best on a weekly basis.

Snooker – Ronnie O'Sullivan

He recently claimed his sixth world snooker championship, although almost as entertaining as his matches were his post-game interviews, in which he insisted he was playing utter rubbish, despite dispatching the world’s best players one after the other.

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