Many darts leagues, competitions and exhibitions have fallen by the wayside because of the horrific Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak, but none more important than the BDO Inter County Championships.
Because of the virus it has been decided that after all of the battling for divisional titles and promotion, fighting against relegation plus all the hard work and expense that has gone into playing the first seven fixtures the last two will now not be played and the season has been brought to a close and made null and void.
With regards to the four counties I write for in Darts World Warwickshire were well on course to finish third in the Premier Division their highest position since the 2013 – 2014 season. Their campaign ended with them having a total of 151 points some fifteen more than fourth placed Glamorgan and only six behind second in the table Lancashire.
In addition to the disappointment of the season ending there has been more bad news for Warwickshire as you will see from the copy letter posted on their web site.
County Stalwart steps down from duty
Brian Johnson the County Secretary for the last 35 years has decided to call it a day from Senior Executive duty. Brian feels that he has given his all and wishes for someone else to take the reins after his mammoth spell. Brian has been an official since the very start of the BICC and BDO era. This will be a sad loss to all at the County but the Executive understood the reasons why and immediately installed Brian as Life President. Brian still feels that he will be attending fixtures but will remain in the seating areas watching the games. Brian you are a Legend to this County and if not for your sterling work the Organisation would not be here amongst the very best. Good Luck in your retirement. The Officials are working on putting a suitable person to take over.
The County whilst reeling from the decision from Brian they received resignations from three other officials.
Ken Hinde has decided to call it a day after a spell of 12 years back on the committee. Ken recalls when he took over a Superleague team in the Lythalls Lane club in 1979 and ran a very succesful Coventry side throughout, he then returned in 2009 in the same club although named differently the Cherry Tree Club once again very succesful with many titles to his Coventry Teams. We take this opportunity to thank Ken for his hard work during both spells and his outstanding knowledge of the game. Good Luck Ken.
Thirdly we lose the Mens Team Manager Steve Crowther who resigns his position after a spell of 13 years at the helm. Steve has helped to nurture many of the Counties players and was obviously instrumental in seeing the Mens A team take top spot in the last season. Thank You Steve for your graft also within the County where offering the venue for us to use over many years. Good Luck Steve and Thank You Very Much.
Fourthly we lose the Ladies Team Manager Sue Gulliver who resigns after some 7 years as Ladies Boss where she has built up a squad that is once again starting to believe in itself with some sterling performances. Sue is staying on as a player and one that has really seen her performances gain her international recognition once again. Sue Thank You Once Again and Good Luck.
As we can all see these have hit the County very hard and with the BICC season halted and new season awaiting once government guidelines allow.
There will be some positions that are now awaiting to be filled and the officials are working hard behind the scenes to make the very right decisions.
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Of the four counties I cover in Darts World, West Midlands in division one will probably be the most upset and had the most to lose as at the close of play they were placed third in the division, level on 154 points with second in the table London who they would have played at home in their next and penultimate fixture, and would then end the campaign with an away game against divisional leaders Cheshire who were just one point better off than the West Midlands, so promotion to the Premier division was still very much a possibility
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In division three, after a poor start to the season whereby they lost the opening two fixtures Derbyshire then rallied to win the following five to put them in with an outside chance of promotion albeit they were some thirteen points short of second in the table Merseyside and fourteen behind leaders Cleveland who they would have played at home in the final game of the season, a game which could quite well have decided who went up.
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Shropshire’s final two fixtures in division four would have been a home tie with bottom of the table Isle of Wight and finally an away game against high-riding Northumberland who were third in the table, however despite being placed eighth Shropshire with a total of 126 points were only seven short of fourth placed Breconshire and so could still have finished the season in a very respectable and lofty position, possibly their highest since finishing sixth in the 2015 – 2016 season.
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