'Step up to the oche'

Jamie Borthwick • Published 16 Jun 2010 13:00

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The Doublet darts players

A TEAM of sharp shooters with "the arras" has issued a rally call to Bankies - "ladies and gentlemen, let's play darts".

Players from The Doublet in Faifley this year lifted a darts league trophy, but as Clydebank's league folded 15-years-ago, it is forced to compete in Paisley and Renfrewshire.

Now one of its leading target men is urging Bankies to step back up to the oche and return to the glory days of the Clydebank Darts League.

Bernie McDonald, 49, is part of The Doublet's title-clinching team, but says having to travel across the Erskine Bridge each week has become a drag for the squad of 12.

Now he wants to ride the crest of the wave caused by a surge in popularity for the sport, inspired by the likes of pro players Phil 'The Power' Taylor and Raymond 'Barnie' Van Barneveld, to get a league going again.

Bernie, from Faifley, told the Post: "When I first started there were two leagues in Clydebank.

"In those days the social side of the league was great, the town had many excellent darts players and it was really competitive.

"I think everybody just got too old and the young ones stopped being interested. But with the popularity of televised darts now I've seen a few boards going up in pubs in Clydebank, so maybe a league could happen again."

Having played the game for 30 years - with a best check out of 170 and only the magical nine dart finish eluding him - Bernie is delighted to see people flocking back to a sport which has produced legends like Jocky Wilson and Eric Bristow.

Bernie added: "The team now has a couple coming through who are fourteen and fifteen.

"They get along regularly and their game is coming on leaps and bounds.

"That's so encouraging for the future of the game."

Anyone interested in joining a new Clydebank darts league should contact Bernie on 01389 386852.

This article appeared in Clydebank Post 16 Jun 10

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