News of the World Darts Championship draws 1983–1997

News of the World Championship
Founded1927
Ceased1997
CountryEngland
VenueVarious venues in London
Last
champions
England Phil Taylor
England Linda Jones
(1996–97)
Tournament formatLegs

The News of the World Darts Championship was one among many televised darts events in 1983. Eric Bristow had failed to qualify for the final stage several times[1] before finally winning the title in 1983. All players needed to win through in county and regional stages of the competition to reach the final stages, which had been first televised in 1972. TV coverage ceased after the 1988 competition and the event was discontinued in 1990. The event was revived for one year in 1997 and was shown on Sky Sports.[2] Matches were short, with just two legs being required for victory. The oche was slightly longer than most tournaments, being a full 8 feet from the board to the toe line. From 1978 until 1988 the event was held at Wembley Arena, Wembley, London. From 1989–90 it was held at Docklands Arena, London and in 1997 it was held at Villa Park, Birmingham.[3]

See also

1983 Final stages

[4]

First round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
            
England Eric Bristow Bye
 
England Eric Bristow 2
England Tim Gould 0
England Tim Gould Bye
 
England Eric Bristow 2
England Kevin Kenny 0
England Kevin Kenny Bye
 
England Kevin Kenny 2
Scotland Chris Angel 0
Scotland Chris Angel Bye
 
England Eric Bristow 2
England Ralph Flatt 0
England David Hobson Bye
 
England David Hobson 0
England Ralph Flatt 2
England Ralph Flatt 2
England Alan Blewitt 0
England Ralph Flatt 2
Wales Tony Clark 1
Wales Tony Clark 2
United States Tom Dorgan 1
Wales Tony Clark 2
England Mike Gregory 0
England Mike Gregory 2
Republic of Ireland John Joe O'Shea 0

1984 Final stages

[5]

John Lowe lost in the final of the Midland Counties Divisional finals to Eric Bristow.[6]

First round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
            
England Ian Robertson Bye
 
England Ian Robertson 2
England Mike Gregory 1
England Mike Gregory Bye
 
England Ian Robertson 2
Scotland Jim Strathie 0
Scotland Jim Strathie Bye
 
Scotland Jim Strathie 2
Republic of Ireland Tom O'Connor 1
Republic of Ireland Tom O'Connor 2
Sweden Douglas Melander 0
England Ian Robertson 0
England Eric Bristow 2
England George Corke 2
England Dave Lee 0
England George Corke 0
England Paul Reynolds 2
England Paul Reynolds 2
United States Rick Ney 0
England Paul Reynolds 0
Wales Eric Bristow 2
Canada George Hyde 2
England Steve Riley 1
Canada George Hyde 0
England Eric Bristow 2
England Eric Bristow 2
England Simon Wilson 0

1985 Final stages

[7]

Eric Bristow lost in the first round of the Staffordshire County finals to Robin Feltham.[8] John Lowe, Jocky Wilson and Mike Gregory also failed to qualify for the final stage.[9]

First round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
            
France Glenn Brooksbank Bye
 
France Glenn Brooksbank 2
England Sandy Miller 1
England Sandy Miller Bye
 
France Glenn Brooksbank 0
England Billy Dunbar 2
Netherlands Ronnie Peel Bye
 
Netherlands Ronnie Peel 1
England Billy Dunbar 2
England Billy Dunbar 2
Republic of Ireland Anthony Turner 0
England Billy Dunbar 0
England Dave Lee 2
United States Dan Valletto 2
Scotland Eddie McArthur 0
United States Dan Valletto 0
England Dave Lee 2
England Dave Lee 2
Norway Jan-Erik Paulsen 0
England Dave Lee 2
England George Rogers 1
Canada Bob Sinnaeve 2
England Dave Whitcombe 1
Canada Bob Sinnaeve 1
England George Rogers 2
England George Rogers 2
England Martin Deverell 0

1986 Final stages

[10]

First round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
            
England Bobby George Bye
 
England Bobby George 2
England Brian Hardy 1
England Brian Hardy Bye
 
England Bobby George 2
England Ritchie Gardner 0
England Ritchie Gardner Bye
 
England Ritchie Gardner 2
Wales Chris Johns 1
Wales Chris Johns 2
Republic of Ireland Jack McKenna 1
England Bobby George 2
United States Rick Ney 0
England Mark Pope 2
England Graham Ward 1
England Mark Pope 1
United States Rick Ney 2
United States Rick Ney 2
England Mike Gregory 1
United States Rick Ney 2
Sweden Lars-Erik Karlsson 1
Canada Bob Sinnaeve 2
England Lenny Taylor 1
Canada Bob Sinnaeve 1
Sweden Lars-Erik Karlsson 2
Sweden Lars-Erik Karlsson 2
Scotland Ronnie Sharp 0

1987 Final stages

[11]

Steve Beaton beat reigning world champion John Lowe in the semi finals and five times world champion Eric Bristow in the final of Midland Counties Divisional finals.[12]

First round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
            
England Mike Gregory Bye
 
England Mike Gregory 2
England Steve Beaton 1
England Steve Beaton Bye
 
England Mike Gregory 2
Canada Bob Sinnaeve 1
England Mick Whittaker Bye
 
England Mick Whittaker 1
Canada Bob Sinnaeve 2
Canada Bob Sinnaeve 2
England Chris Moffatt 1
England Mike Gregory 2
England Peter Evison 0
England John Garbutt 2
Scotland Alan Brown 0
England John Garbutt 1
England Peter Evison 2
England Peter Evison 2
Sweden Stefan Lord 1
England Peter Evison 2
England Simon Duke 1
England Simon Duke 2
Republic of Ireland John Joe O'Shea 0
England Simon Duke 2
Wales Malcolm Davies 0
Wales Malcolm Davies 2
United States Jerry Umberger 1

1988 Final stages

[13]

Phil Taylor lost in the semi finals of the Staffordshire County finals.[14] Steve Jones beat John Lowe in the semi finals of the Midland Counties Divisional finals.[15]

First round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
            
England Tony Jenkinson Bye
 
England Tony Jenkinson 2
Republic of Ireland Pat O'Shea 1
Republic of Ireland Pat O'Shea Bye
 
England Tony Jenkinson 1
England Mike Gregory 2
Sweden Magnus Caris Bye
 
Sweden Magnus Caris 1
Canada Mike Gregory 2
England Mike Gregory 2
England Dennis Williams 0
England Mike Gregory 2
England Kevin Spiolek 0
England Ronnie Baxter 2
England Steve Jones 0
England Ronnie Baxter 0
England Kevin Spiolek 2
England Kevin Spiolek 2
Scotland Rab Lusk 0
England Kevin Spiolek 2
Canada Bob Sinnaeve 0
Canada Bob Sinnaeve 2
United States Ray Davidson 0
Canada Bob Sinnaeve 2
England David Jones 1
England David Jones 2
England Colin Clixby 0

1989 Final stages

[16]

Eric Bristow lost in the quarter finals (to Mick Plevyn) and Phil Taylor lost in the semi finals of the North Staffordshire heats, played at Bristow's public house The Crafty Cockney.[17] Darrell Morley beat John Lowe in the final of the Derbyshire County finals.[18] Mike Gregory failed to win a hat-trick of titles. He lost in the first round of the Western Counties Divisional finals to Chris Whiting.[19]

First round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
            
England Chris Whiting Bye
 
England Chris Whiting 2
Scotland Joe Leary 0
Scotland Joe Leary Bye
 
England Chris Whiting 0
England Dennis Priestley 2
England Reg Cupit 2
United States Dan Valletto 1
England Reg Cupit 0
England Dennis Priestley 2
England Dennis Priestley 2
Sweden Stefan Nagy 1
England Dennis Priestley 1
England Dave Whitcombe 2
Scotland Jocky Wilson 2
Republic of Ireland John Dunne 0
Scotland Jocky Wilson 1
England Dave Whitcombe 2
England Dave Whitcombe 2
England Denis Ovens 0
England Dave Whitcombe 2
England Arnie Bunn 0
England Arnie Bunn 2
Canada Dave Green 0
England Arnie Bunn 2
Wales David Furnish 0
Wales David Furnish 2
Norway Gunnar Johansen 0

1990 Final stages

[20]

Reigning world champion Phil Taylor lost in the first round of the Staffordshire sub-area finals to Mark Flowers, played at Eric Bristow's public house The Crafty Cockney. Flowers beat Bristow in the semi finals on the same day.[21]

First round Second round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
               
Canada Scott Swanson Bye
 
Canada Scott Swanson 2
Belgium Geert Jennes 0
Belgium Geert Jennes Bye
 
Canada Scott Swanson 2
Wales John Gronow 1
Wales John Gronow Bye
 
Wales John Gronow 2
Russia Andrei Patriki[23] 0
Russia Andrei Patriki[22] Bye
 
Canada Scott Swanson 1
England Steve Hudson 2
United States Len Heard Bye
 
United States Len Heard 2
Norway Knud Nilsen 1
Norway Knud Nilsen Bye
 
United States Len Heard 0
England Steve Hudson 2
England Steve Hudson Bye
 
England Steve Hudson 2
England John Bell 0
England John Bell Bye
 
England Steve Hudson 0
England Paul Cook 2
England Paul Cook Bye
 
England Paul Cook 2
Finland Heikki Hermunen 0
Finland Heikki Hermunen Bye
 
England Paul Cook 2
Republic of Ireland Kevin Marron 0
Republic of Ireland Kevin Marron Bye
 
Republic of Ireland Kevin Marron 2
England Nigel Justice 0
England Nigel Justice Bye
 
England Paul Cook 2
England Brian Derbyshire 0
Sweden Michael Oskarsson 2
Switzerland Daniel Mueller 1
Sweden Michael Oskarsson 0
England Brian Derbyshire 2
England Brian Derbyshire 2
Netherlands Bert Vlaardingerbroek 1
England Brian Derbyshire 2
England Peter Evison 1
Scotland David McFadden 2
Italy Mauro Pavan 0
Scotland David McFadden 0
England Peter Evison 2
England Peter Evison 2
England Steve Beaton 1

1997 Final stages

[24]

First round Second round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
               
England Julian Bullock 2
Wales Tony Ridler 0
England Julian Bullock 1
England Phil Taylor 2
England Phil Taylor 2
England Shayne Burgess 1
England Phil Taylor 2
Republic of Ireland Tom O'Connor 1
Republic of Ireland Tom O'Connor 2
Republic of Ireland Kieran Lennon 1
Republic of Ireland Tom O'Connor 2
England Brian Derbyshire 0
England Brian Derbyshire 2
England Larry Amner 0
England Phil Taylor 2
England Martin Adams 1
England Nigel Justice 2
Italy Sergio Bongiovanni 0
England Nigel Justice 1
England Martin Adams 2
England Martin Adams 2
England Steve Maish 1
England Martin Adams 2
England Dave Solly 0
Republic of Ireland Michael Dwyer 2
Scotland Jim Brawley 1
Republic of Ireland Michael Dwyer 1
England Dave Solly 2
England Dave Solly 2
England Dean Allsopp 0
England Phil Taylor 2
England Ian White 0
England John Dye 2
England Simon Laws 1
England John Dye 0
England Andy Jenkins 2
England Andy Jenkins 2
England Paul Knighton 0
England Andy Jenkins 2
England Chris Thompson 1
England Colin Fowler 2
England Mark Robinson 1
England Colin Fowler 1
England Chris Thompson 2
England Chris Thompson 2
England Colin Monk 1
England Andy Jenkins 1
England Ian White 2
England Peter Manley 2
England Mark Pooke 1
England Peter Manley 2
England Chris Whiting 1
England Chris Whiting 2
Scotland Mark Veitch 1
England Peter Manley 1
England Ian White 2
England Gary Spedding 2
England Gary Johnson 0
England Gary Spedding 1
England Ian White 2
England Ian White 2
Republic of Ireland Des Byrne 1

References

  1. ^ "Warwicks bounce back into form". Birmingham Evening Mail. 2 March 1981. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  2. ^ "Roofer Ian launches climb for top". Widnes Weekly News. 5 June 1997. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Watch Taylor's News of the World win". Pdc.tv. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  4. ^ "Results of News of the World 1983". MasterCaller. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  5. ^ "Results of News of the World 1984". MasterCaller. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Brian beaten by John Lowe". The Stapleford and Sandiacre News. 29 March 1984. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  7. ^ "Results of News of the World 1985". MasterCaller. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Bristow's million target". Hull Daily Mail. 16 March 1985. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Wembley date for Deverell". Bristol Evening Post. 28 March 1985. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  10. ^ "Results of News of the World 1986". MasterCaller. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  11. ^ "Results of News of the World 1987". MasterCaller. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  12. ^ "Super Beaton Midlands king". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 10 April 1987. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  13. ^ "Results of News of the World 1988". MasterCaller. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  14. ^ "Wonder of Wayne". Black Country Evening Mail (West Bromwich). 11 February 1988. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  15. ^ "Super Steve sends Lowe packing". Sports Argus (Birmingham). 2 April 1988. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  16. ^ "Results of News of the World 1989". MasterCaller. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  17. ^ "No happy returns". Evening Sentinel (Stoke). 4 January 1989. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  18. ^ "Bunn eyes Midlands NoW title". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 18 March 1989. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  19. ^ "Gregory's hat-trick bid sunk". Bristol Evening Post. 11 March 1989. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  20. ^ "Results of News of the World 1990". MasterCaller. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  21. ^ "Novice KOs world darts champ". Evening Sentinel (Stoke). 15 February 1990. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  22. ^ "Andrei Patriki Darts WDF". Darts WDF. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  23. ^ "Andrei Patriki". MasterCaller. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  24. ^ "Results of News of the World 1997". MasterCaller. Retrieved 10 November 2025.