Latest news with #PremierLeagueDarts
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
James Wade says he'll be blacklisted from Premier League as he accuses PDC of favouritism
James Wade has been in excellent form in recent weeks, but the Machine does not think he will be able to force his way into the Premier League regardless of his performances James Wade thinks he has no chance of forcing his way into Premier League Darts again. Wade began his World Matchplay campaign in excellent fashion at the weekend. He dispatched Joe Cullen 10-3 while averaging 104.44, the highest-ever three-dart average he has ever produced on the Winter Gardens stage. The Machine has also moved up three places to No. 5 in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Order of Merit, which means he is knocking on the door of next year's Premier League. The top four players are automatically included in the lucrative competition, while the other four slots are decided by Sky Sports and the PDC, who have previously admitted to factoring in the marketability and popularity of players for those places. The 11-time major winner won the Premier League in 2009, but has not competed in the competition since 2022, where he finished third in the table to reach finals night. But even if he does manage to catch Stephen Bunting, who is currently fourth in the order of merit, he thinks the PDC would alter the rules to keep him out. Speaking to SportsBoom, when asked if he thinks he can force his way into the Premier League, Wade said: "I think I've paid enough dues, and I think I've done enough things, and I think I've given enough of my life to the PDC that I'd like to get those rewards. "But I don't think that'd ever happen to me. I think if I was to get back into the top four things would change with the qualification gaps. "I just think it would change. I'm not what they need and I'm not probably what they want, but I want to be there a hundred percent.' When asked to explain why he feels he is being overlooked, he replied: "Because I'm awkward. I'm an awkward character. I probably don't say the right things at the right times. "If I was great at saying the right things at the right time, I probably would've been in all the World Series the last 12 months. But I don't quite fit into that mould. "There's other players that do manage to get those things and unfortunately, I don't. I'd love to travel the world. I've been doing it for 25 years. "Do you not think I want to travel the world? Do you not think I want to represent the PDC? Do you not think I want my children and my wife to see me do great things? 'If anything, it crushes me. It crushes me. Why wouldn't it crush me? I'm perhaps not getting what I maybe could have got. So, it's exhausting not to be in that. "But I'll keep trying as hard as I can. I want to be in it all. I want to be part of it all. Of course, I do because when you're not in it, you feel like a lemon.' Wade next faces Wessel Nijman in round two in Blackpool. The Dutchman caused a huge shock in the first round when he ousted Nathan Aspinall, who reached the semi-final stages at the O2 Arena in this year's Premier League campaign, 10-6 in their opening round encounter.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Emma Paton rocks bold sleeveless outfit as fans label Sky Sports Darts host ‘absolutely stunning and so sexy'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMMA PATON has left fans stunned with a bold sleeveless outfit for the World Matchplay Darts. The Sky Sports presenter was on duty for the tournament in Blackpool. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Emma Paton wore a sleeveless outfit for the World Matchplay Darts finals Credit: SKy Sports 9 Fans were left stunned by the outfit Credit: Sky sports 9 She is a fan favourite at the darts Credit: Alamy 9 She often stuns in her bold outfits Credit: Instagram / @missemmapaton Emma, 30, wore a stunning white jumpsuit while on air for the broadcaster. The clothing item was completed with a wide collar and matching shoes. The presenter is a fan favourite as she often leaves fans in awe of her bold fashion choices. And this one was no different as viewers went wild for her look on social media. One posted: "WOW WOW WOW!!!!! Emma Paton looking absolutely stunning and so sexy in this white outfit!" A second wrote: "Emma Paton on the darts. Good lord!" A third commented: "Emma Paton back on the tele!" A fourth said: "Emma Paton you absolute princess, we are so back." Another added: "I tell you what, that Emma Paton looks delightful." Back in May, Emma left fans hailing her sparkly outfit at the Premier League Darts finals. Luke Littler shows off new look for World Matchplay Darts as fans are left divided 9 Emma is a regular presenter for Sky Sports Credit: Getty 9 She has built up a huge fan base on social media Credit: Instagram 9 She has over 269k followers on Instagram Credit: PA World Matchplay Darts 2025 BLACKPOOL will be the home of darts for the next week as the World Matchplay returns! There has already been huge drama in round one of the tournament with SIX of the 16 players already out. A new champions is now also guaranteed after Luke Humphries crashed out in his tournament opener against Gian van Veen. There will be darts action every night this week ahead of the big final on Sunday. LIVE - Follow all the action from the World Matchplay 2025 INFO Full schedule and results Prize money LATEST NEWS Peter Wright unveils incredible weight loss and new look Humphries furious with fans after shock defeat to Van Veen Menzies left with head in hands after he hits incredible 180 BUST Meanwhile, there was plenty of excitement at the oche in the day's action. Peter 'Snakebite' Wright was dumped out in round one by Jermaine Wattimena. This was despite him rocking a more reserved look compared to his usual bold self. Luke Littler also had a new look as he wore an updated version of his iconic purple and yellow shirt. He took on Ryan Searle in his match and romped to a dominant victory. It looked like the Nuke was on course for a whitewash as he won the first SIX legs at a canter. Searle did get on the board as he won the seventh leg, but there was no chance of a dramatic comeback. Littler rattled off the required four legs from the next five to knock out to complete his victory. The Nuke averaged an incredible 108.92 across the 12 legs. 9 Luke Littler debuted his new shirt at the tournament Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Glasgow Times
14-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Man made threats to 'chop someone up' at Glasgow hotel
Robert McCord, 58, of Shawlands, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court recently after pleading guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner. The court heard that at around 5.20pm on February 23, 2024, two people were within a room at the Queen's Park Hotel in the city's Southside when they heard McCord shouting. He stated, 'watch what I'm going to do. I'm going to kill you, I'm going to chop you up.' One of them responded by asking McCord to stop and be quiet. McCord then said, 'you're going to get chopped, wee specky'. READ NEXT: Premier League Darts spectator kicked off in Hydro toilet Shortly after, one of the pair left the room to get food and saw McCord, who stated, 'I'm going to plug you full of holes. 'I'm going to chop you too.' Police were contacted and attended. McCord was arrested and conveyed to a police station where he called both witnesses 'wee junkie b******s'. READ NEXT: Killer driver 'used vehicle as weapon' during Glasgow hit and run He was held in custody to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court. McCord's lawyer told the court his client had been drunk at the time and these were 'empty threats'. The defence solicitor said: 'He was drunk and they were empty threats. The Queen's Park Hotel is a homeless hotel. 'The two people had words with him, and he was upset about it. He acted completely and utterly inappropriately. 'They were empty threats, but threats nonetheless. It must have been frightening for them.' Sheriff Anna Reid fined McCord £580.
Glasgow Times
12-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow man told cops 'You know how it is' after item found
Mancini Ndombe was spotted by officers on St Mungos Avenue in the city centre around 6.16pm on May 2, last year. He was driving a silver BMW in and out of the parking area. Once he left the vehicle, police approached him and identified themselves. Ndombe appeared extremely nervous and officers had cause to search his car. Inside, on the driver's side door, they found a metal baseball bat, which they seized. The 29-year-old stated: "You know how it is these days, people are getting stabbed all over the place.' He was arrested. READ NEXT: Premier League Darts spectator kicked off in Hydro toilets The Parkhouse resident appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday after he admitted to having been in possession of the weapon. Sheriff Patricia Pryce observed: "He has a record of violence and is currently unemployed. "It's slightly concerning." Ndombe's attorney responded: "He has previously been in employment and had various roles. He has some savings and receives benefits." Sheriff Pryce told him: "Carrying weapons is a serious matter. "You need to address why you thought it was okay to have a baseball bat in your car. It's not okay." Mdobme was sentenced to nine months of supervision and ordered to complete 135 hours of unpaid work within five months.
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Littler to face darts star who raged 'what's the point' after rule change
As darts fans begin to look forward to the World Matchplay, world champion Luke Littler is gearing up to face fellow Englishman Ryan Searle in a difficult start to the competition Luke Littler will face Ryan Searle in the first round of the World Matchplay on July 20, a matter of months after 'Heavy Metal' blasted changes to the European Tour. It is another difficult draw for the 18-year-old, who was knocked out in the first round of the major last year. Michael van Gerwen overcame 'the Nuke' 10-6 to send the World No. 2 crashing out of the competition in Blackpool. While it is not 'Mighty Mike', Searle is a huge banana skin for the world champion. The long-haired world No. 19 will also be looking to claim a huge scalp, a matter of months after hitting out at structural changes he felt favoured top players like Littler. In January, the Professional Darts Corporation announced an upheaval of European Tour regulations. These amendments saw the top 16 players on the PDC Order of Merit be granted byes into the second round of the competition. However, it also meant that players within the top 16 of the Pro Tour Order of Merit, but outside the top 16 of the PDC standings, had to compete in the opening round of the tour events. Searle was left furious by these changes, stating the rule change made the Pro Tour Order of Merit redundant. He took to X and wrote: "What is the point of the ProTour Order of Merit? The one that shows the true form and consistency of players. Asking for a friend." At the time, Damon Heta, who was ranked eighth in the PDC rankings, humoured Searle's post with his own reply. The Australian said: "Mate I thought it was a New Year, new you, with no complaining." Perhaps annoyed his rival and darts colleague did not back his point up with his own post, Searle would go on to reply: "You are already on the face doesn't fit blacklist, so back me up." At the time, Heta had been excluded from the Premier League Darts list, despite the fact he was ranked higher than the likes of Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall – who both reached the semi-final stages at the O2 Arena – at the time. After the PDC Winmau World Masters in February, Searle reaffirmed his feelings towards the changes when he said: "Obviously, I'm not happy about that, because I'm not in the top 16 yet. If I beat Johnny (Clayton) tomorrow, I might get in the top 16 so it won't affect me, but that doesn't mean that I still agree with it. "The top 16 are protected as it is anyway, and that only makes it worse. So yeah, obviously I do a lot of travelling, going to all the Euro Tours, I try and do as many Pro Tours as I can and it just feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth. "It's just one of those things and I'll deal with it. I try not to moan too much, I've said this year that I'm not going to moan. I'm just going to get my head down, put a lot more effort in than I have in the past and see where that takes me.' If Searle goes on to beat Littler in round one, it would likely be extra sweet, given his previous grievances. The competition, which will see the winner earn £200,000, begins on Saturday, July 19 and will be opened by world No. 1 and defending champion Luke Humphries taking on Gian van Veen.
