WEBSTER TARGETED IN OUTSIDE ATTACK BEFORE TURNING OUT IN PDC EVENT WITH BROKEN NOSE

DARREN WEBSTER has revealed he played a PDC event with a broken nose after being HEADBUTTED by a football thug outside the Barnsley Metrodome.

The former World Championship quarter-finalist was mistaken for a Sheffield United supporter while walking back with friends from a Players Championship event, due to the red and black shirt he was wearing.

Webster, 58, was left bloodied after being confronted by a hooligan following Barnsley’s Yorkshire derby clash with Sheffield United.

The Norwich thrower still returned to the oche less than 24 hours later to face Max Hopp despite the injury.

He told Modus: “I was just walking up the road with my mates and I had my red and black shirt on and they were playing Sheffield.

“I didn’t know that. I am just walking up with my bag and the next minute I have a guy in my face.

“You are a Sheffield supporter. I said, ‘Look mate I am not a Sheffield supporter. I said I am playing darts at the Barnsley Metrodome.’

“I said, ‘Look at my shirt.’ As I looked down he has nutted me straight on my snout. I didn’t move and sort of looked up and went, ‘Oh.’ I was getting ready.”

The attacker fled before Webster realised the extent of the damage.

He added: “Then suddenly you feel it. My nose was running all down there. They ran off. The police, before they spoke to me, said I had to go into Boots and wipe my nose!

“I had to play Max Hopp the next day. I’m one of these dart players who touches their dart on their nose.

“So I was sort of going, ‘ow, ow, ow,’ every time I threw a dart against Max! So I got it checked out when I went home and it was broken.

“It was my fault for being too slow.”

The Demolition Man enjoyed a strong career on the PDC circuit, winning a ProTour title and reaching the semi-finals of the Players Championship Finals.

Webster eventually lost his Tour Card in 2024 after a dip in form and results, bringing an end to his time on the professional tour.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning