His name came up yesterday and I though it would be a good idea to put a little piece on here along with a link so that any new people can pop across and have a look at his site, he's also a member here. This guy knows loads especially about some of the older pioneers of darts, Joe Hitchcock, Jim Pike etc. and how darts used to be played. Below is a little snippet of his write up on Joe Hitchcock along with a link to the rest of the story and Patrick's website link, it is well worth taking a look.
http://www.patrickchaplin.com/JoeHitchcock.htmHe plied his trade in these exhibitions but also led the St Dunstan's Four Charity team which comprised Syd Howes, Bill Jacobs and Johnny Bartlett.
That team was responsible for raising over £70,000 for charity in three years, the equivalent of over £2,000,000 in today's money!
At the height of his fame he could boast of being on the books of the same agent as such luminaries as Tommy Cooper and Bruce Forsyth.
Nicknames were fashionable even then, and Joe was dubbed "The Marathon Marvel", "The Demon of the Dartboard" and the "Treble Twenty Wizard".
He may not have won much in the way of major titles but that was down to the fact that during his prime, his professional status prevented him from taking part in the only event of note, the "News of the World" Championship.
He met the other great name of the time Jim Pike three times and was victorious on each occasion. Long before the famed Wembley clash between Taylor and van Barneveld their first match up was dubbed "The Match of the Century".
Almost a thousand people crowded into Acton Town Hall in September 1946 paying anything from five shillings up to two guineas, or over a third of their week's wages for the privilege.
Millions listened in to a radio commentary. Pike took the first, but missed doubles in both the second and third leg cost him dearly as Hitchcock cleaned up.
A rematch the following September at Westminster's Horticultural Hall also went to Hitchcock, by 2-0. Again, missed doubles in both legs by Pike were punished. The same 2-0 result was recorded in their final meeting at Caledonian Road Baths in November 1948 thus giving Hitchcock the edge over Pike in the history books.
Few records of his achievements survive but many of his 3001 exhibition matches were polished off in 40 throws or fewer, his best being 93 darts against Tommy Fox at The Dolphin in Lydd.
There was also a 1001 leg of 31 darts against Jimmy Clow at the Clinton Arms in Northampton in which he scored 100, 120, 180, 60, 60, 60, 60, 180, 100, 41 and double top.
Both matches were a 97 average which is still a world class performance even today and a third of his darts in exhibition matches were reputed to hit the treble twenty.
Don't forget that all of this was from a nine foot throw, on a wooden board, using brass darts and wearing a jacket and tie. Lighting conditions were also far inferior and his feats are probably not something we are likely to see many of today's stars try!
http://www.patrickchaplin.com/