Memories of Alan and Leighton
Reading about these two Welsh players and the scores and comments made, makes me feel privileged that I was manager of both players and travelled with them worldwide over many years.
Exhibitions were carried out between them which were arranged in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Barbados, Bermuda, USA,Fiji, Canada and many South Pacific Islands.
In 1976 Leighton was runner up in the First South Africa Masters to Steve Rollings.
Both players played for the West of England Darts Organisation and along with fellow Wales Superstars Alf Jeffries, David Porter, and Tony Ridler formed the nucleus of The Kings Arms Super-League team in Bristol when available on a Tuesday evening and they still not win the league.
With the West of England Team they both travelled to Russia, Malta, Gibraltar, Spain , Portugal, Sweden , Denmark, Turkey, Germany, Belgium and many other destinations playing in their Open Individual Championships.
Then there was no BDO/WDF tour, they created the tour which many players today graciously follow in their foosteps at what they started so many years ago.
Leighton always drove in his slippers, and after winning the 1978 World Championship, Colt Cars gave him a car, any car in their range, Leighton said he would have a small Colt Galant Estate as anything bigger the boyos in Pontypridd would think he was 'showing off', his favourite journey was as he reached the Wales side of The Severn Bridge, where he could arrive home and fly his beloved pigeons and be back at The United Services Club in Ynynsbwl.
He was a friend of Tom Jones and played darts with him.
Alan as you know played darts against Cassius Clay.
Leighton and Alan as well as great darts players were wonderful people and both were so proud to be Welsh, they smiled as they pulled on their Welsh Red International shirts.
Another great game was in The Indoor League when Alan Evans played Tony Ridler which at the time was billed as one of the greatest ever.
Leighton reached the News Of the World twice never managing to claim the title, losing out to Bill Lennard and Alan Cooper who also played for The West of England and Kings Arms team in Bristol.
Alan of course lost to Brian Netherton in The News Of The World.
Both players were instantly recognised at home and overseas as they walked the high streets or stopped at motorway service stations , strangers came up shook their hands and chatted and both players always had time to stop.
Both did many many charity matches around the UK.
It was a pleasure to have known both players and a sad day for darts and their families when they passed away so early in their lives.
As I say it was a pleasure to have known Alan and Leighton and a greater pleasure to be friend and manager of them for so many years.
www.eddie norman darts.com
-
