Wayne Jones to be a Great of Darts

Wolverhampton's Wayne Jones today vowed to battle back into the world's top 16 as he and seven other darts stars launched a new website for fans.

Jones joined Kevin Painter, Dennis Priestley, Richie Burnett, Steve Beaton, Tony O'Shea, Chris Mason and Anastasia Dobromyslova yesterday.

Priestley won world titles in the BDO and PDC while Burnett and Beaton have been BDO world champions, with Dobromyslova the ladies holder.

They were at the Cleveland Arms in Wolverhampton for the 'Great of Darts' where, for £29.99 a year, subscribers can interact with all eight players.

Each will give technique tips and customers will get access to an interactive practice area, where uploaded videos will be analysed by the team.

The darters will also appear at exhibitions and, after a poor run of form, Jones admits it will be nice to get involved with fans away from the oche.

He said: "It's a decent squad, a nice variety of players, and I am looking forward to having a chat with the members of the site.

"There's plenty of things going on and this is a good thing for the avid darts fan, they have got plenty to sink their teeth into.

"This is perfect for them."

Jones' year has been left in tatters as he failed to qualify for this month's World Matchplay after a series of defeats in non-televised tournaments.

With the PDC Order of Merit based on prize winnings, 'the Wanderer' could be ranked as low as 28th when the dust settles on the event in Blackpool.

The 47-year-old is unlikely to qualify for the European Championship - he reached the final in 2010 - and could struggle for the World Grand Prix.

But Jones' insists the thrill of the chase could given him the "passion" he needs to break back into the money.

He said: "I have come to the conclusion that I am a very unlucky man, if you look at my last three tournaments.

"In my last three games I have had 96.5, 99.6 and 100.77 averages and lost, I am just getting no luck at all.

"I feel as if I am playing well and losing and, perhaps I will be able to relax a bit now and I am quite upbeat about it.

"A lot of people have said to me I was always more aggressive when I was trying to catch the players in the top 16.

"It's up to me to do something about it and come back stronger. The passion is still there."

For more information about the website, go to www.gr8ofdarts.co.uk.