Time to give out WC wildcards?

[Murphio]

I know we have mentioned this from time to time on other threads but since it appears that uncle Bazza really does take the views on forums seriously I hope he gets to see this one and gives it some consideration.
I think its time the PDC rewarded former World Champions with a lifetime wildcard to the qualifiers for the World Championship. Obviously this would be problematic to some degree in that their is only four people in Priestly, Taylor, Part and Barney who have won the PDC version, so for me Id just open it up to include anyone who has won any version of the title.
I think this would reward guys like John Lowe (anyone think he would give it a bash?), Andy Fordham, Richie Burnett, Bob Anderson, Keith Deller etc etc for everything they have done for darts - but more importantly it would add some interest to the qualifying stages which are in truth often a major disappointment. No idea how it would affect Bristow (would he do it even for a bit of fun?), Wallace, David etc but anyone think there is any merit to it? If its good enough for golf.....

[Ginge]

If John Walton is to be believed, former Lakeside champs will be gaining exemptions from 2012 onwards.

I'm not gonna let it drop until someone admits he was correct.

[spaceman70]

PDPA members can enter the qualifiers for free anyway. Players like Lowe are lifetime members so all they have to do is turn up. Unless you are taking about prelims?

[Murphio]

If John Walton is to be believed, former Lakeside champs will be gaining exemptions from 2012 onwards.

I'm not gonna let it drop until someone admits he was correct.

If its true then imo I think its justified - why not? If you win a major in golf you are entitled to participate in it for life. No problem with it at all.

[Murphio]

PDPA members can enter the qualifiers for free anyway. Players like Lowe are lifetime members so all they have to do is turn up.

I talking more a straight entry into the prelim stage to face the guys from the Philipines, Japan etc who sometimes force the Sky cameras to switch off

[Lee Taylor]

If John Walton is to be believed, former Lakeside champs will be gaining exemptions from 2012 onwards.

I'm not gonna let it drop until someone admits he was correct.

If its true then imo I think its justified - why not? If you win a major in golf you are entitled to participate in it for life. No problem with it at all.

Agree with you mate, it would be a nice touch to properly reward past champions

[hang the dj]

PDPA members can enter the qualifiers for free anyway. Players like Lowe are lifetime members so all they have to do is turn up. Unless you are taking about prelims?

Is this the case for all the founding members of the PDC or WDC as was?

If so do they still have to pay their annual membership fee?

[Ginge]

If John Walton is to be believed, former Lakeside champs will be gaining exemptions from 2012 onwards.

I'm not gonna let it drop until someone admits he was correct.

If its true then imo I think its justified - why not? If you win a major in golf you are entitled to participate in it for life. No problem with it at all.

I don't have a problem with it either - however people have denied he ever said it, even though it was recorded on tape.

I await my PM from Fatz

[Murphio]

If John Walton is to be believed, former Lakeside champs will be gaining exemptions from 2012 onwards.

I'm not gonna let it drop until someone admits he was correct.

If its true then imo I think its justified - why not? If you win a major in golf you are entitled to participate in it for life. No problem with it at all.

Agree with you mate, it would be a nice touch to properly reward past champions

Absolutely - and as I said I also think that seeing guys like Burnett, Fordham, B Anderson, Deller etc in the prelims would certainly add something to that stage of the competition which sometimes makes for grim viewing.

[Lurgan]

Absolutely spot on murphio. I think forcing the legends to choose when the setanta tour stated lacked class from the pdc.

[Rudy]

Nice and respectful thought to revere the past champions by introducing them into the prelims of the worlds, but suppose -and this could easily happen- Eric or John gets thrashed 6 zip by the Phillipine champ, what good does this do to their heritage and reputation? We've seen Eric get rather humiliated at the legends tour, so as he's my younger years' favourite player I'd like to save him from that.
Bob Anderson, Keith Deller and Tony David, however, might well be able to survive the prelims i.m.o.

[Murphio]

Nice and respectful thought to revere the past champions by introducing them into the prelims of the worlds, but suppose -and this could easily happen- Eric or John gets thrashed 6 zip by the Phillipine champ, what good does this do to their heritage and reputation? We've seen Eric get rather humiliated at the legends tour, so as he's my younger years' favourite player I'd like to save him from that.
Bob Anderson, Keith Deller and Tony David, however, might well be able to survive the prelims i.m.o.

I know what you mean - on the other hand up until a few years ago you'd see Arnold Palmer still playing in the majors with Lee Trevino etc. Obviously they werent going to figure but they do add interest all the same. I think the legends tour proved people still want to see these guys play even though they arent at the standard they were. IMO it wouldnt just be a nice gesture - it would spice up the often poor prelims. In years to come we could see the likes of Barney, Part, Beaton and Taylor take part as veterans...who knows?

[Krispy]

I think this makes a lot of sense.. both from the fact that the 'tour card' appears to 'borrowing' rather heavily from golf.. and the fact that some of those players may well win a game or two.

Plus there's something heartwarming to see the old (ish) greats playing - and it would bring some fun and excitement to the early round when often the press aren't as interested. PR wise its a big WIN!

Yes they could lose 6 zip to an unknown.. but as long as they took it well, played to the crowd and treated it like an exhibition to some extent, they should come out of it unbruised.. and they'd be enjoying the crowds reception far too much to notice I would expect.

Make it so!

[Murphio]

I think this makes a lot of sense.. both from the fact that the 'tour card' appears to 'borrowing' rather heavily from golf.. and the fact that some of those players may well win a game or two.

Plus there's something heartwarming to see the old (ish) greats playing - and it would bring some fun and excitement to the early round when often the press aren't as interested. PR wise its a big WIN!

Yes they could lose 6 zip to an unknown.. but as long as they took it well, played to the crowd and treated it like an exhibition to some extent, they should come out of it unbruised.. and they'd be enjoying the crowds reception far too much to notice I would expect.

Make it so!

Totally agree mate - and surely the venue would sell more tickets early on aswell?

[Welsh Wayne]

I think this makes a lot of sense.. both from the fact that the 'tour card' appears to 'borrowing' rather heavily from golf.. and the fact that some of those players may well win a game or two.

Plus there's something heartwarming to see the old (ish) greats playing - and it would bring some fun and excitement to the early round when often the press aren't as interested. PR wise its a big WIN!

Yes they could lose 6 zip to an unknown.. but as long as they took it well, played to the crowd and treated it like an exhibition to some extent, they should come out of it unbruised.. and they'd be enjoying the crowds reception far too much to notice I would expect.

Make it so!

Totally agree mate - and surely the venue would sell more tickets early on aswell?

Yes I think it would be a good idea.

But I dont think BH was over the moon with the concept of the Legends, so a non goer I'm afraid.

[Rout]

What a load of rubbish.

Comparing it to golf for a start is a total nonesense. A golf field is massive compared to a WC darts field. Ive seen people defending the farce that is the tour card because of golf, forgetting the lowest placed tourcard holder there in 2009 made £200,000

The WC field in the PDC is already too big - 70+ for darts is too many. Who do you start denying places to? The internationals? Ok, lets forget all the good efforts the PDC make to branch the game out worldwide, cut back and invite more champions past their best. The PC OOM or lower end of the OOM? Yes lets cut out the form players of today and those out grafting week after week.

Or add to the numbers? Yes lets have a WC of 80+ - ask Sky to add to what is already, quite a dull first week of darts in December by extending their tournie time to the best part of a month.

[Maverick]

What a load of rubbish.

Comparing it to golf for a start is a total nonesense. A golf field is massive compared to a WC darts field. Ive seen people defending the farce that is the tour card because of golf, forgetting the lowest placed tourcard holder there in 2009 made £200,000

The WC field in the PDC is already too big - 70+ for darts is too many. Who do you start denying places to? The internationals? Ok, lets forget all the good efforts the PDC make to branch the game out worldwide, cut back and invite more champions past their best. The PC OOM or lower end of the OOM? Yes lets cut out the form players of today and those out grafting week after week.

Or add to the numbers? Yes lets have a WC of 80+ - ask Sky to add to what is already, quite a dull first week of darts in December by extending their tournie time to the best part of a month.

Fair enough rout but compare the costs involved with playing the Pro Golf tour......and how much profit did that player actually make? I'd wager not a great deal , if any!

[WCDPA]

A lot more than the player ranked 128 in the pdc!

[TROUBLEAGAIN]

If not World championships perhaps a UK open play off for veterans who would qualify for entry though.

[watty]

Nice and respectful thought to revere the past champions by introducing them into the prelims of the worlds, but suppose -and this could easily happen- Eric or John gets thrashed 6 zip by the Phillipine champ, what good does this do to their heritage and reputation? We've seen Eric get rather humiliated at the legends tour, so as he's my younger years' favourite player I'd like to save him from that.
Bob Anderson, Keith Deller and Tony David, however, might well be able to survive the prelims i.m.o.

i agree with this but i do not think tony david should be in the list he has never played pdc or had intentions of playing for the pdc
and yes i am australian.

wayne watt