Darts fans back for one night only but coronavirus robs event of fancy dress on strange night
OH, how I missed seeing Mother Teresa necking a pint at Ally Pally.
Never before have I pined so much to see boozed-up pandas, polar bears, Santa Claus and his merry band of elves all singing badly together about football brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure.
For one night only there was a crowd for the darts, the first time this had happened in the UK for nine months.
But it was all very strange. Very strange indeed.
No fancy dress was allowed. Christmas jumpers were the most extravagant attire allowed.
Everyone was more than two metres apart. It was a Covid-19 safe environment.
It was under half full - about 500 inside - and punters had to refrain from singing, shouting and ‘football-style’ chanting.
It was the night the PDC turned into its rival BDO, albeit under duress and Government instructions.
It was difficult to tell on TV as Sky Sports cunningly used canned fans' atmosphere to confuse the viewers and up the decibel level.
There were lots of families in attendance, who made the most of a rare night out, loudly clapping and saluting any noteworthy checkouts.
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Natalie Johnson brought along her eight-year-old Mohawk-wearing son Jack to the darts for the first time to watch defending champion Peter Wright.
She told SunSport: “It’s very good that they have managed to put this on.
“You are probably safer here than you are a supermarket.
“We wanted to come along for a Christmas present. We are all massive darts fans.”
Dave Johnson added: “It’s all a bit subdued but we are glad to be here and seeing it live. We all have to stick to the rules.”
As of Wednesday this event will move behind closed doors until at least December 23 as London enters Tier 3 status.
Darts boss Barry Hearn was not happy, blaming the government for a lack of leadership, consistency and clarity over their decision-making.
Hearn claims the loss of fans is hitting him in the pocket to the tune of more than £4milllion.
Hearn, 72, said: “I refer to it as Star Trek darts - it’s darts, Jim, but not as we know it.
"There is another world out there. It's sanitised out there unfortunately. But the people are enjoying it.
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“I’m getting very frustrated with the situation. We’re doing all the work and then getting slapped in the face.
“Sport is such an important part of this country’s mental health, this country’s entertainment, and yet they are throwing us around like a used doll.”