BATES WILL HAVE MULTI-NICKNAMES
06/12/2023 By Phil Lanning
OWEN BATES is set to be the first darts player to ever use multi-nicknames – thanks to Sun newspaper readers and Phil Taylor!
The Exeter rookie had asked fans to help him find a new moniker because his original one, The Master, is not suitable for family audiences.
The five suggestions on the table are 100 ’n Batey, Tungsten Tosser, Batey McBateface, Shark and Billy No…
Plus 16-time World Champ Phil Taylor waded into the debate on TalkSport suggesting it should be Psycho, the name of the classic Alfred Hitchcock film featuring murderous motel owner Norman Bates.
The 20-year-old, who will make his debut in the World Championship at the Ally Pally next month, admits he loves the names so much he wants to use several of them.
He said: “It’s a special feeling to have SunSport and Phil Taylor trying to get me names. I couldn’t have dreamed of that a month ago.
“When the GOAT is chatting about you on Talksport with legends like Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist, that’s amazing.
“To be honest, it’s so hard to choose. I’m definitely ruling out Batey McBateface straight away though!
“Tungsten Tosser might have been the popular choice but is not suitable probably for family audiences.
“But I like the rest of them so I’ve decided to use several difference nicknames. As far as I know that’s never been done before. I like to be different!
“I have already agreed with my darts firm Loxley that we will make a Psycho edition of my darts and the rest will follow from that.
“Now the main thing is that I just concentrate on my game. I’m making my debut at the Ally Pally. I will reveal the nickname for the Worlds when I do my walk-on.
“I now just want to make sure I start winning matches so I live up to all the publicity!”
Loxley Darts boss Matt Birch believes Bates could become a cult figure with his unique approach to the sport.
He added: “To have several nicknames is very different. Owen could be trailblazer for the sport.
“But to have a nickname given to him by The GOAT and Sun readers is very different and cool.”
