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Movin’ On Up

Experts say that moving home is probably the most stressful event in a person’s life. Experts, my foot! It’s obvious that the common experience of waking up after dreaming about being pursued by a gaggle of Esther Rantzens through the streets of Croydon is much more stressful … or is that just me? Actually, that’s not fair on Esther Rantzen as she isn’t the scariest part, nor is the being chased bit … but dreaming of Croydon? That’s enough to make anyone break out in a cold sweat!

I suppose the experts do have a point that changing a home environment can be awkward and tricky though, as Surrey have recently found out with the transition to our new home venue. It’s been a lot of hard work, but just as a family upping sticks from a tent on the central reservation of the M25 to take residence in a brand new Barratts three bed semi would render the residents very optimistic about the future, similarly does the county’s move to Worcester Park British Legion for the coming years.

What’s more, when was the last time you moved house with the estate agent helping you to unpack the tea chests and put away the crockery? Fortunately for our county, committee member Keith Martin at our new venue has been incredibly welcoming and performed an invaluable service in assisting Surrey’s Martin Byrne and Paul Cook in getting the stage ready for Premier Division action for the new season.

With the stage set-up just about finalised for October’s first home fixture against Cambridgeshire following two full-length trial runs (firstly a match against our friends in the local Worcester Park darts fraternity, followed by an A versus B side challenge) all that was left to launch the new partnership with the club was the official presentation of the Division One trophy and the sealing of the generous sponsorship agreement at the club’s Sports Presentation Night.

There were a few days of uncertainty beforehand as the BDO tried to locate the Divisional silverware, but it was eventually found nestling snugly alongside a sticky unwrapped Murray Mint and a Ladbrokes pen after a rummage down the back of a Muswell Hill sofa, before being quickly polished up and officially handed over by club Chairperson Sue Spence as reward to Surrey for the exciting promotion season of 2007/8.

For the first year ever, Surrey’s youth side, which has produced some superb talent over the past few years, has received its own separate sponsorship along with the generous support for the seniors, which combined will hopefully play a large part in securing the future prosperity of the county as we make a return to our erstwhile customary place amongst the elite of the British Inter-County Championship.

A large cheque containing a healthy amount of zeroes was received by me on Surrey’s behalf from Scottish & Newcastle Regional Sales Manager Tero Paasu, before the youth side were also formally presented with their funds, and then, with local Radio Jackie in attendance and giving out branded prizes, it was time for Musical Chairs … naturally! Hey, I know I make a lot up on these pages but it did happen honest, and I have the pictures to prove it. There is nothing more surreal than watching a group of grown adults, including the aforementioned Scottish & Newcastle exec, eagerly trying their utmost to win a Radio Jackie beanie hat by employing a series of moves that can only have been learned from a healthy amount of hours watching WWE wrestling. Last man standing, or should that be sitting, was ex-Gold Cup Pairs Champion Steve Lovett but not before he had come close to committing GBH on more than one poor woman from the club membership … future darts competitors be warned, this guy likes winning like Simon Cowell enjoys deflating egos!

The celebratory disco finished (thankfully having spared us from Red Red Wine by UB40) and the Surrey contingent drifted into the late summer night happy and optimistic for the new season. None more happy than me though as I had cleverly stashed the presentation cheque, only to find out later that the real, cashable, one was safely in the possession of County Secretary Aline Cook. Drat - foiled again. And then it was time for bed and Esther’s big teeth and the terrors of Croydon for another night. Oh the inhumanity!

Left: Surrey Vice Chairman Martin Cullip receives the seniors cheque from Tero Paasu of Scottish & Newcastle Brewery. Right: Worcester Park British Legion Chairperson Sue Spence presents the Division One BICC Trophy to Surrey (left to right) Keith Martin (WPBL Committee), Gill Shephard (Ladies Team Manager 2007/8), Tony Cartwright (Mens Team Manager), Tero Paasu, Sue Spence.

Summer Nights

Talking of new venues, the summer Super League has just completed its first successful season in its new home of the St Peters Club in Morden, and just as the County side have benefited from an increase in financial support from moving away from a stale venue, so has the summer darting gathering too thanks to the generous support and dedicated efforts of the club’s owners and staff.

The ‘Only Play Against Us’ team consisting of Dave Askew, Ronnie Godbeer, Spike Harris, Richard McLaughlin and Ben Burton took the Title with a peerless display that saw them lose just the one match on the final week against their closest rivals, ‘The Firm’, but still end up six points clear. As usual, thanks are due to the pairing of Peter and Lisa Munt whose league has now completed a 12th successive year of providing quality summer darts for Surrey players.

At time of writing the Pairs winners have been decided, with Spike Harris & Ronnie Godbeer triumphing, but the singles Champion has yet to be revealed. Whoever that may be will be happy though as this competition was already the most lucrative in Surrey darts but with the extra funds available this year, the winner may well have to take his prize home in an industrial wheelbarrow!

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