The difference can almost not be greater. Where 8 (placed or selected) dart players weekly battle in crowded arenas and before the compassionate eyes of hundreds of thousands of television viewers for a prominent place in the spotlight, the remaining darting fraternity has to be satisfied with playing in ‘exotic’ places such as Gladbeck (Germany), Irvine (Scotland) and Wigan (England). In the shadow of the Premier League, however, reveals whimsical musical chairs to get the pennies. In a shadowy scenery, where the absolute best players (Taylor, Wade, Van Barneveld, Part) are absent more often than not, former BDO stars such as Mark Webster (Lakeside champion 2008) and Gary Anderson (winner of the International Darts League and the World Darts Trophy in 2007) are trying to play and collect enough pounds to rise on the Order of Merit and get a tiny message at (maybe) page 14 of only local sports sections. One of the names which deserves more than just a mention, is Dennis Priestley. The 59-year-old double world champion got to the finale on no less than 3 occasions the last few weeks, (i.e. outside the reach of the rolling cameras), on these floor tournaments. For all those familiar with Dennis’ playing style and his recent medical history (cancer), know how much effort it must cost 'The Menace' to even come this far. Of these 3 finals, The Englishman won one, Chapeau.
Of all the Dutch players that travel to these tournaments in the weekends to throw their darts, the one that does particularly well is Jelle Klaasen. The 2006 Lakeside World Champion picks up last 16 or even last 8 results with great regularity at the Players Championships or the UK Open Regional Finals'. And his performances are in line with his qualities. Klaasen is one of the 20 best players in the world. And if you look at it like this, it is logical that in the Premier League he comes up short in most matches. He is good, but not structurally better than players such as Taylor, Wade, Van Barneveld and Part. You don’t have to be ashamed for that either.
Klaasen is getting to his old level again, but I remain to be amazed about the results set by Michael van Gerwen. "Mighty Mike" is unfortunately not so powerful anymore. One day Van Gerwen still expertly wipes the floor with Mark Dudbridge and Andy Hamilton, the next day, he was belittled by much smaller names like Stuart Dutton and Michael Smith. In such matches Van Gerwen looks nothing like naive bouncing youngster that stunned the world in 2006 with his exceptional talent. He was beating world champions like they were beginners with his childlike enthusiasm. Logically, therefore, that many of us saw in him a new world champion. But, the still very young man from Boxtel (April 25, 1989!) now has had to discover how it feels when the boot is on the other foot. However, like we always say, form is temporary, class is permanent. We are awaiting the time that he finds “it” again. A tournament where it all goes his way, just one tournament where he gets the wind in his back and flies. Even if it is only in the shadow of the Premier League.