MANX darts players have been urged to show more confidence as they take on the world’s top players in this year’s Isle of Man International Darts Festival to be staged in March.

Local players have rarely progressed past the final 64, but tournament promoter Les France, of LF Promotions says even the best players can suffer nerves and be vulnerable.

“During the past five years Islanders have shown a steady improvement in the championship,” he said. “Darts is all about confidence and if you put your opponent under pressure, they can suffer nerves and buckle.

“The Islanders need to have self belief and confidence in their own ability and remember that when world champions and top internationals are playing in the board play-offs, that is when they are at their most vulnerable, especially over the shorter best-of-five leg format.”

The best performance by a local darts player in the 26-year history of the event was by adopted Islander Wayne Harrison – the strapping six foot plus former West Midland county player. He now lives in Laxey and came closest to pulling off a shock victory when he finished runner-up to professional Peter Manley in the “Champion of Champions” event held in 2004, which was held alongside the singles event.

In 1993 Harrison reached the last four in the main singles tournament before he moved to the Island.

Manx window cleaner Colin Tyrer scaled new heights to reach the last eight in 2009, losing out to eventual tournament winner Darryl Fitton, who months earlier had reached the semi finals of the world championship.

Five Manx players had bravely battled into the last 64 against top class opposition that year to pick up prize-money but more importantly annex world rankings points. There was a real feeling that perhaps this would be the year the famous three-legged Manx flag would be carried on to the stage.

But the opposition proved too tough and one-by-one they fell by the wayside, apart from battling Tyrer who grounded “flying Dutchman” Joey ten Berg, who had hit 12 and 15-dart check-outs in their thrilling clash. Forcing the match into a tense fifth leg and with the Dutchman sitting on 32, Tyrer fired out a match-winning 120 checkout.

However the clash with Madness fan Darryl Fitton proved “one step beyond” and Tyrer slipped out of the competition.  The Manx sharpshooter had the consolation of £125 for reaching the last eight, plus a £50 bonus for the most successful performance by an Islander.

Robbie Cannell, with three appearances in the last 32 and Mick Smedley’s two appearances in the last 16 have been the other eye-catching Manx achievements during the past 26 years in the spring-time tournament.

Twelve months ago three Manx players – Charlie Cover, Tony Barker and Robbie Nelson – reached the last 64 but saw their dreams dashed in the surge for the stage.

This year they will hope for an improvement and perhaps that elusive place in the final. Women players from the Island will also look to make their mark in the prestigious ladies singles but will find it difficult against a strong field.

Twelve months ago Debbie Cormode and Josie Wilson fought off tough opposition to reach the last 64, while Castletown’s Donna Winterburn showed excellent form to win her board and reach the last 16, doubling her prize-money in the process!  She collected £50 to add to the same sum she picked for the best performance by an Islander!

In addition to the prestige men’s and women’s singles, there are mixed pairs, mens’ and ladies doubles, as well as the Winmau World Youth Masters playoffs of under-18s during the three day tournament. On Thursday March 10 there is the Okells “Early Bird” Trophy – a winner-takes-all mens and ladies singles event with top prizes of £600 and £400 respectively.

Due to the ranking points on offer, this year’s festival will again attract most of the sport’s big names, many of whom contested January’s Lakeside World Championship at Frimley Green. The Lakeside event achieved huge televised coverage on the BBC. 

During the Isle of Man weekend there is £22,500 on offer in prize-money across the events, with the men’s singles winner collecting £5,000, while the top woman will pocket £3,000. More importantly are the rankings points on offer, which can help players earn a spot in the sport’s blue riband event – the Lakeside World Championship.

Once again Islanders are expected to turn out in force for their “own” championship and the chance to line up on the oche against the big names of the sport, bidding to put in a dream performance and earn themselves a place in Island folklore and lift the coveted title at the Villa Marina.

But once again they will face stiff opposition from top players from the UK as well as players from Europe, spearheaded by the respective men’s and women’s Lakeside World champions – Martin “Wolfie” Adams and Trina “The Golden Girl” Gulliver. Between them they have 12 world titles. 

Minister for Economic Development, Allan Bell MHK, said, “The Villa Marina is a prestigious venue for this World Championship ranking points event. The International Darts Festival is in many ways a ‘model’ event bringing large numbers of visitors to the Island at a quieter time of year and makes a valued contribution to the tourist economy.”

The darts festival is organised by LF Promotions in conjunction with the Isle of Man Darts Organisation and will be held at the Villa Marina in Douglas. The festival is supported by the Island’s Department of Economic Development, Winmau dart boards, Okells Brewery, Isle of Man Event Services and the Isle of Man Steam Packet company.

The not-to-be-missed finals will take place on the Royal Hall stage on the afternoon of Sunday March 13 and will also be free of charge to all spectators. 

Further information on the tournament is available from www.visitisleofman.com. Event director Les France on 0161 793 6909 / 07974 806168 or for Islanders from John Denny on 01624 824951.