Darts humour on centre stage
Darts fans lived up to their reputation for having a good time during a thrilling and good-natured Grand Slam of Darts contest in Wolverhampton this week – and it's not over yet. The city's Civic Hall has been packed out every night.
Darts fans lived up to their reputation for having a good time during a thrilling and good-natured Grand Slam of Darts contest in Wolverhampton this week – and it's not over yet. The city's Civic Hall has been packed out every night.
The crowd at the big darts showdown has given TV viewers all over the country a taste of Black Country humour on their placards. Among the messages scrawled on the backs of their "180" signs have been suggestions for the next England football manager and predictions for the Black Country derby.
Others have shown declarations of love and, from a man dressed as a chicken, a sign that read Eat Beef.
Staff at the venue have been delighted with the interest in the inaugural event. Civic Hall spokesman Jonn Penney said it had attracted crowds from throughout the UK, particularly the North East and North West. "It's been a major coup for us," he said.
"Hopefully, fans who came here with a preconceived idea of what Wolverhampton was like will go away with a different feeling about the place. There's been a great atmosphere in the hall.
"Darts fans are well-known for their love of beer and we've had some special two-pint glasses available behind the bar which has gone down well – even with some of the women.
"We're definitely hoping to get the Grand Slam again next year. It's been incredibly popular, and ITV have been really pleased with how it's gone. We're sorting out dates with the promoters."
He said the layout of the hall allowed for a 1,300 capacity audience which has been generally split 70 per cent men, 20 per cent women, and 10 per cent children. "They've all been very well behaved," he added.
Mark Atherton, a 28-year-old accountant from Leeds, who was at last night's quarter-finals, said: "I go to Bolton, Newcastle, anywhere there's a big competition. I went to college down here, and I follow the Albion, so it's been great for me."
Ian Simpson, 43, of Ashmore Park, Wednesfield, was attending his first darts tournament. He said: "I'm enjoying myself, and it's a good thing for the town."
