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By Phil Lanning

DARTS legend Raymond van Barneveld received medical treatment after collapsing at the Players Championship 8.

The five-time world darts champion, 53, felt unwell after being hammered 6-1 by Ryan Joyce in the first round of the

PDC Super Series 2 event in Milton Keynes.

Scottish darts fans favourite RVB was treated on site by paramedics but did not require hospital treatment.

Van Barneveld – who only rejoined the PDC circuit last month – returned to his hotel room at the Marshall Arena and was further monitored by medics.

Play on Friday was suspended for more than an hour while Van Barneveld received treatment.

It is not yet clear what caused the issue.

But Van Barneveld is a diabetic and has often spoken in the past about the perils of playing top-level sport with the condition.

A PDC statement read: “Raymond van Barneveld received medical treatment following a collapse at Friday’s Players Championship 8.

“Van Barneveld was defeated in the first round of the PDC Super Series 2 event in Milton Keynes, and later required medical assistance after becoming unwell in the arena.

“He was treated by paramedics but did not require hospital treatment, and returned to his hotel room at the Marshall Arena to be further monitored.

“Play was suspended whilst Van Barneveld received treatment before resuming at 1445 GMT.”

Barney, who lives in Holland with his English girlfriend Julia, quit the sport in disappointment after losing to American Darin Young in the first round of the PDC World Darts Championship in 2019.

However, following the worldwide lockdowns and the collapse of the exhibition circuit, the Hague-based star decided to make a comeback to the professional ranks.

In February he regained his Tour Card via Q School and celebrated victory in Players Championship 3 in Bolton a few weeks later.

Images by Taylor Lanning.

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

JAMES WADE says he’s like an “old sea fishing boat” but is ready to sail back to the top of the sport.

The Aldershot star won £100k and his tenth televised title by taking the Ladbrokes UK Open, beating Luke Humphries in the final.

But Wade, who has had stints in The Priory as a BiPolar sufferer, went all Eric Cantona-esque to explain why he is back on the crest of a wave.

He said: “If I was a footballer out there in recognition and not been looked after it would have been frowned upon.

“I’m midway in my career and I’m weathered, I’m like an old sea fishing boat, I’ve been out in many storms. No one has particularly helped me too much.

“I’ve never been backed by anyone who should have backed me. 

“I was told to stay away from competitive sports, I was told to stay away from pressure and I’ve proved everyone wrong.

“I’ve done it seven or eight times since I was diagnosed. So if anyone tells you that you can’t do it, they are wrong.”

Wade beat ex-World Youth champ Humphries to take his third UK Open title. Ironically Humphries has also suffered from psychological issues.

Since his diagnosis, the PDC and PDPA have taken steps to increase support for players including linking up with Sporting Chance.

Now Wade, up to World No.4, has got his heart set on another major win at the World Matchplay in July.

He added: “I am what I am and I do what I do. I’m still lucky to be still playing and I look forward to continuing in proving people wrong and hopefully I can win a few more trophies.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

ROBERT Thornton has vowed he’s “far from finished” as he starts a bid back to the big time from his LOFT.

The Ayrshire ace lost his PDC tour card in January after 12 years following a dreadful run of luck including illness and family issues.

But double major winner The Thorn is determined to return to form starting in The Modus Online Live League.

Thornton, 53, said: “I’m far from finished, trust me. I want to get back into the PDC as soon as possible. I will be on the Challenge Tour and that’s my starting point to get my actual tour card back.

“But obviously that’s not on at the moment, there’s hee-haw news on the Challenge Tour because of Covid-19.

“So at this moment I’m delighted to get some competition in the Online League. It’s good that we can still play online with new technology.

“That will mean I’ll be back in the loft practicing to try and win that event. I would love to make a statement that I’m still here and capable by winning that tournament.

“My first matches are next Monday so I’ll be working really hard all week to prepare. It’s so frustrating that I can’t get out to play anyone, so this is important to keep my arm in and practice properly.”

Thornton had a rollercoaster 12 years in the PDC including two epic major wins, beating Phil Taylor in the UK Open final in 2012 and Michael van Gerwen to win the World Grand Prix three years later.

But a serious illness with pneumonia and a catalogue of off-stage issues severely hampered his form after so much glory.

He added: “I’ve been on the road for 12 years and a lot has happened. Maybe sometimes you just need to hit the reset button. The break might do me good. But I’ll be back.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

ROB CROSS admits he was “crushed” by losing his grandad Colin to coronavirus and life has seemed surreal since.

The ex-World Champion has struggled to find success since his double successes of the Matchplay and European Championship in 2019.

Cross, 30, reached the World Cup final for England last year but other than that his individual form dipped after the tragic loss of his grandad last April.

He admitted: “Last year was the hardest of my life, no doubt. Losing my grandad hit me hard, I was crushed, it was so sudden. I couldn’t get going in tournaments without fans, it all felt a bit surreal.

“Our nan lives with us now and I felt so sad for her that she’d lost her husband. I wanted to dedicate time to her and my family, that was the most important thing in my life. 

“My nan and grandad used to come to Blackpool in the summer and watch me in the Matchplay.

They used to look after the kids during the day, they were very much a part of everyday life.

“He was fantastic and always there for me when anything went wrong, I’d turn to him. If I had a bad week he’d say ‘don’t worry Bob, you’ll be back next time, you’re going to be fine’. I’d listen to him.

“They came up for dinner every Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s tough when that element is so suddenly taken from you.

“These things happen and it’s taken me a long time to let go.”

Cross has slipped to World No.5 after James Wade’s UK Open win and faces a big challenge ahead in the Premier League next month after being relegated in last year’s event.

He also admits that he’s still adjusting to life as a professional darts player and being away from his family so much.

He added: “I go to work to give the children a better future. You do get down when you’ve been away for four weeks and you haven’t seen the kids. Less than five years ago I was doing a normal 9-5 and being a normal dad, I miss that at times.

“It’s important to form a bond with the kids from a young age. I have to work hard on that. But I’ve got that with Bobby now who is still just a baby. 

“Leyton is nine now and has been playing at the local academy in Hastings before lockdown and he absolutely loves it. 

“We’ve got eight acres in Hastings with horses and donkeys and it’s a good bit of space for the kids to play. 

“The kids muck out the animals, it’s been so good for them during this time to get out in the fresh air. I’m grateful to darts that my family has been lucky to have that.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

By Phil Lanning

SCOTS sensational Alan Soutar admits being a full-time fireman and red-hot oche ace is a juggling act.

The Angus star roared up to 85th in the world after just a fortnight in the PDC with a brilliant run to the last 16 of the Ladbrokes UK Open. 

Soots, 43, eventually went down narrowly 10-8 to World Championship semi-finalist Dave Chisnall but is delighted with his start to life in the PDC.

He admitted: “I’m still finding my feet a little bit. I’ve known a lot of the guys a long time. It’s sinking in but the travelling is a reality check.

“I’m back in the Super Series next Monday but before that I’ve got to do four shifts at work. It’s pretty manic but we’ll just have to juggle it and see how we get on.

“If you told me in December this would be me up to 85th in the world rankings already I can’t ever be disappointed with that.

“I’m just the kind of person who doesn’t like to lose and also want to prepare myself properly.

This is only the start. We want to be in the elite group of players. I’ll keep pushing and practicing and try to go higher.

“I have two goals now, to make the top 64 after two years. It’s a modest target. The second is to qualify for the Ally Pally World Championship.”

Soutar had KO’d legend Raymond van Barneveld, Mickey Mansell, Stephen Bunting and Ron Meulenkamp before his Chizzy exit.

He added: “I always look back and analyse games and I was 8-6 up and didn’t perform in the last few legs. 

“Chizzy did play well in the last four legs, I’m disappointed but it was a good run.

“I think maybe it was finishing line syndrome, maybe thinking too much that “you’ve got a chance’, just thinking I’ve got to get two legs to win.

“Obviously for whatever reason the wheels just fell off. It’s something to think about, something to practice. On the big occasions I need to know how to close the big games out.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

By Phil Lanning

RAYMOND van Barneveld has to show no negativity or he’ll get “ripped to shreds” according to Sky pundit Wayne Mardle.

The Dutch legend made a stunning return to darts at the turn of the year winning his Tour Card and then continuing the fairytale with victory at the PDC Super Series.

But five-times World Championship semi-finalist Mardle says that he has to keep up his fighting spirit otherwise his comeback will go wrong.

He told Sky Sports: “He’s got a new manager, Ben de Kok, and he has said to him that he needs to apply himself properly otherwise this is not going to work.

“He’s got a fitness regime going on, a practice regime going on and Ben is running Barney as the business that he kind of is and there’s more.

“Ben is telling Raymond ‘you don’t moan at this’, ‘you don’t get down in a match and give up’, you don’t shake your head or say to everyone that you don’t like these events…show no negativity.

“In my mind, Barney has to do this. He has to act that way because otherwise he’s just going to get ripped to shreds.

“Barney is quite thin-skinned, he’s quite sensitive. Sometimes he doesn’t come across that way but I know him, he is and he is going to have to show a lot of fighting ability and a lot of resilience.

“The one thing that he has always shown is talent. I’m not surprised he won, I saw it coming, but certainly not this soon, but I think he’s re-applying himself.

“If you give it two, four, six months, we might see a drop off in that fighting quality but for now, it is there and he’s got to make the most of it.”

Barney has always been a huge favourite of Scottish darts fans but was ironically dumped out of the UK Open by Angus star Alan Soutar on his return to the big stage.

Mardle added: “I thought that the UK Open came at a good time for him but he got an absolutely awful draw and lost which can happen in that tournament.

“He will take a lot from winning this early on the Pro Tour but he really couldn’t care less about what he’s done.

“Winning a tournament for the first time in years is absolutely gigantic for him, but it’s also big for the players that he is going to play on a regular basis. Now they will have that ‘Barney’s here’ feeling.”

Images by Taylor Lanning.

By Phil Lanning

RAYMOND Van Barneveld grabbed his place back in the PDC and blasted: “I can’t wait to see the Scottish Barney Army again!”

The legendary Dutchman qualified for the last eight of the final day of Q School in Germany to secure enough points to regain the tour card he gave up at the end of 2019.

Barney, 53, will be back amongst the top stars for the Ladbrokes UK Open which starts on March 5th in Milton Keynes.

But the five-times World Champ admits his heart is set on a return to Scotland – after his retirement “hell”.

He said: “I love those fans so much, I can’t wait to play for them again.

“They are amazing, so amazing. They sing my name whether I win or lose. So that would be exciting to perform in Scotland again.

“I think the last year was the most important of my life because I started to think about my career and I saw the things I missed in my life.

“My amazing girlfriend is with me every single time. I’ve missed her for the last 10 days because she wasn’t here. That was not easy.

“This is the end of my hell. But now I have to work harder. I want to go out every day and get fitter and play well for my sponsors and family. I can do this but I know I have to work hard.

“Now I wait for the UK Open. You can qualify but due to the Covid you don’t know when you will play in a big tournament. Today it was in the papers that you can’t fly back from the UK.

“I can’t wait to get back to play the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright. All these great players, I can’t wait to beat them again.”

Barney faced a nervous last day after an early exit from Q School on Tuesday. He needed a decent run to the last eight to make sure of that place.

He added: “Wow, I’ve played so many tournaments in my life, this was really the hardest part of my life ever.

“Last night I was so desperate to do well today, I had a bad run on Tuesday, losing first round. I was really nervous to compete. Everyone was there, my coach, family, Julia, believe in yourself, do this. When I won this second game it was so relief, that one single point.

“In all my life I have accomplished so many wins, so many tournaments, and I would give it all back for that single point. I feel renewed, really good to be back on the Tour. Hopefully next week I can show the world again what Raymond van Barneveld can do.

“I am a winner. I went to my room and I was still angry even when I lost the quarters, I knew I was through, but I was angry as I wanted to win this. I don’t want to win this for myself but also for my team and sponsors. They gave me a good chat. I feel really happy. I have a chance to put myself back on the map. We worked hard every single day. Because of that I have a Tour Card back.

“I am not going to say I will win this or win that, the first target of this year was getting the Tour Card back. I want to qualify for the world championship at the end of the year. That’s my goal. Everything that comes on my path is a bonus.

I am desperate to work even harder now.”

It was a bitter sweet day for Scottish darts with Robert Thornton failing to regain his tour card after 12 years in the PDC. However it was glory for Arbroath’s Alan Souter is secured his place.

Former BDO World Champion Scott Mitchell grabbed his first PDC tour card but ex-World Finalists Kevin Painter missed out and tweeted that he was set to retire from the sport.

By Phil Lanning

FIREFIGHTER Alan Soutar has a burning desire for glory after grabbing his dream ticket PDC Tour card.

The Arbroath ace produced a solid set of performances to gain a place on the potentially lucrative circuit which kicks off next week in Bolton.

Soots, 43, believes his military and fire service experience will help his bid to set the darting world alight.

He revealed: “Q School was really a roll of the dice for me. Once you get a card, if you’re not one of the top guys, you have to make plans afterwards!

“I’m a full-time firefighter, I don’t know how it’s going to work. But I think the way the PDC has set up the Super Series and Players Championships in blocks because of Covid-19 works better for me. I don’t need as much time off.

“I’m going to keep my job 100 per cent. It would be too much of a risk initially because I’m brand new on the tour. You don’t know if you’re going to make it or not. I’ll just be very busy this year.

“I was a commando para soldier in the royal artillery, I did a fair bit. I’ve never been one for settling in doing a normal role, I’ve always like to challenge myself.

“Going for a green beret was always something I was going to do. I always want to push myself to be the best I can.

“I think that military mentality helped me at Q School. You’ve got to use your time well, plan and keep your mind right.”

Soutar will make his debut on the PDC circuit at the Super Series in Bolton next week but he’s poured cold water on any big targets.

He added: “It is a cliche, I’ll just take one game and tournament at a time. I just want to turn up in Bolton next week and not make a fool of myself. 

“I know I can scare a few people and run a few close so I’ll go down there and try and bring out my A game and give these guys a go.

“I’ve played at Lakeside a few times, played for my country a lot, so Ally Pally is obviously the golden egg. To play at both World Championships would be a pretty amazing thing to do.

“The World Matchplay in Blackpool is obviously a Scottish fans favourite, that would be a cool one to play in that as well.”

By Phil Lanning

RICKY Evans believes he can win major titles and still be the “Gazza” of darts.

The Kettering ace is well known as the jester of the oche with a super-quick throw, daft dances and antics on social media.

But Rapid remains defiant that he can turn clown into crowns and take major championship titles despite his reputation.

He said: “I know what people think of me and I won’t change. But I do believe you can have a laugh and still be a winner. I know people think I’m like some kind of Paul Gascoigne. But Gazza was a world class footballer and still daft at times, so it can be done.

“The likes of Peter Wright and Dimitri Van den Bergh dance on stage yet still go on to win major titles, so can I.

“The only thing maybe is that the fans underestimate my ability. They talk more about me being daft than my standard of play.

“But my biggest problem over the last couple of years was meeting Michael van Gerwen in the third round of the World Championship two years in a row, and losing 4-0 both times.

“Yet in both those games I played really well, especially in December when I lost three sets by a deciding leg.”

Evans, 30, has now joined up with management firm MDA Promotions and with new sponsor TXODDS as he bids for a breakthrough 2021.

He added: “My manager Matt Ward has been guiding me on when to be daft and when to be focused. I’ve got new backing from TXODDS and the belief is there more than ever.

“I’ve had a tough couple of weeks because I had to self-isolate after my Test and Trace app told me that I’d come into contact with a Covid-19 sufferer.

“So I’ve literally spent 10 days stuck in my bedroom at home. Both my mum and dad and sister are all classed as high-risk, through being diabetic and a stomach problem. So I’ve had to keep away from them in the same house.

“I’ve just been solidly practicing and getting myself ready for the Super Series in Milton Keynes later this month. I’m still in good form, now I’ve got to prove it.”