Eight of the most illustrious names in darts history return to the big time this summer in an exciting new competition to be broadcast live on Setanta Sports.
Four world champions of the 1980s – the golden era of darts on terrestrial television - are among the players who will relive their famous battles of yesteryear as they go head to head in the Betfred.com League of Legends.
Eric Bristow, John Lowe, Bob Anderson and Keith Deller will be joined by Bobby George, Cliff Lazarenko, Dave Whitcombe and Peter Evison as the sport's most popular personalities roll back the years to thrill the crowds again.
The tournament will take place on eight Fridays between May 30 and August 22 2008, with the first event and the finals night being staged at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, Essex, former home of the World Championship.
The Betfred.com League of Legends will also visit Blackburn, Birmingham, Batley, Bridlington, Reading and Stoke-on-Trent, with each player contesting one match per night over the best of 12 legs. The top four in the league table when the round-robin stage has been completed will qualify for the semi-finals.
Eric Bristow, the five-time world champion of the eighties, cannot wait to rekindle old rivalries. He says: "The players are really looking forward to the Betfred.com League of Legends and I know all eight of us have been practising hard because everyone wants to win – it's in the blood. This is a fantastic opportunity to compete again on TV with players we've not been up against for many years."
Bobby George, now a respected TV darts broadcaster, will have the chance to gain revenge for his defeat by Bristow in the classic 1980 world final. He says: "Competing in the Betfred.com League of Legends makes us all feel like born-again darts players. It's going to be lots of fun but competitive too. He who dares wins!"
Bob Anderson has left the Professional Darts Corporation circuit, on which he was still ranked among the elite top 32, specifically to join the Betfred.com League of Legends. He says: "I'm relishing the prospect of locking horns again with my old adversaries. We've had some tremendous battles over the years and the passion is still very much there. There's no way I want to lose to Eric and Bobby and I know they won't want to lose to me."
Fred Done, founder of title sponsor Betfred, says: "Darts is the fastest-growing sport in this country at present and I am delighted to be involved in giving young and older fans the chance to see these true sporting legends in action. The exploits of these eight players in the 1980s was the bedrock on which the sport's current popularity was built and I know they will make the Betfred.com League of Legends a highly entertaining and competitive event."
Betfred.com League of Legends schedule (all matches to be screened live on Setanta Sports)
May 30 – Circus Tavern, Purfleet, Essex
June 20 – King George Hall, Blackburn
June 27 – Hilton Metropole Hotel, Birmingham
July 18 – Batley Frontier Variety Club, West Yorkshire
August 1 – Rivermead Leisure Complex, Reading
August 8 – The Spa, Bridlington
August 15 – Town Hall, Stoke-on-Trent
August 22 – Circus Tavern, Purfleet, Essex (semi-finals and final)
For further information on the Betfred.com League of Legends and how to purchase tickets for the events, please visit www.leagueoflegends.tv
by Jon Wilde 09/04/2008 BACK TO TOP ^ |
