Interview; Andy ‘The Destroyer’ Brown – Big Things to Come!

I was asked by Andy Brown, a pro on the PDC circuit if I’d like to post a new interview with him, and of course I said yes!  The interview was originally done by his management team; Ryan Bound @ Mason Mac Media.  I’ve seen Andy on the tour a few times, and he’s also on twitter here.

PDC Professional Darts Player – Andy ‘The Destroyer’ Brown

1. Hi Andy, how are things going for you at the moment on the darts circuit, should we expect big things for 2012?
We’re going well so far. Mason Mac Media Management are on board now, diet nutrition and looking after yourself are a big thing. Dave at MMM used to play professional football so he knows what hes talking about.
Unfortunately, I lost my sponsor at the beginning of the year due to the current climate, so struggling a little to finance the tour, which in consequence has led me to only playing UK events. On the whole I am starting to settle down now and achieving better results. Now I’m settled and have a good group I hope to achieve huge things for next year. Focus is on qualifying for the uk open for a start and hopefully then I’ll start climbing the OOM and reach the top 64 by the end of 2012, so I can keep my tour card.

2. You’re relatively new into darts, how did you get to your rank in the PDC OOM in such a short space of time?
My ranking at the moment is 126 in the overall OOM and 95 in the Players Championship OOM, I was a lot higher than that, but not entering the European events has pushed me further down, I’d hope to see the top 60 in my sights very soon and I feel its not something I can’t achieve with how well I’m playing elsewhere too.

3. What was it that got you into darts in the first place?
I have always watched darts from a young age plus many other sports, but darts was a challenge for me, I was mesmerized by how accurate players were, hitting such a small target on the board consistently. So when I started caring for my partner Claire on a full time basis I had time on my hands, in between Claire being asleep (through medication and housework) I bought a dart board and as they say the rest is history.

4. So back then, did you have the ambitions you have now and did you think you’d make it this far?
I never had any ambition to make it as a professional when I first started out, I just enjoyed playing the game whether it was with friends or in a local league and I did very very well. I guess some people have a natural talent as a lot of people say and natural talent was the best sport in the world, darts.

5. You seem to have the bit between your teeth, what are you doing at the moment to reach the dizzy heights of the PDC elite?
I am practicing between 4-6 hrs a day, trying new practice regimes to get to be the best I can be, and staying sharp in my game. I’m also reading psychology books to help me concentrate with breathing technics to aid my performance. They’re working very well and its just a matter of time now they come into practice.

6. So what is your dream and who are the players you want to play against the most?
My dream is like everybody’s “To be world champion”, I want to play the top players like Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson. These players are the people that improve your game. I did play Gary earlier in the year and I went 2-0 up against him and it really should have been 3. I missed a double, then started panicking a little playing such a top player and thinking about winning (if only for a few legs lol), in the end I lost 6-3. That is where the inexperience came in. Now with the help I’ve had and my new management team, I just go and play the board and don’t worry about who I play against.

7. How are you getting on with the other players and have any of them helped or given you advice? Who are your friends on the circuit?
I get on well with a few players as I have known them for years and even before I joined the PDC. Some have given advice which has helped because they’re willing to pass on their experiences to up and coming talent. I would like to think that Jamie Caven, Colin Osbourne, Andy Hamilton, Peter Wright, Steve Maish are good friends on the tour, I’d love to sit next to them every week at tournaments, but everyone has their job to do at the end of the day. A big contact of mine has been Chris Mason who has been really good in helping. He has been in touch with my management at Mason Mac Media too, so thats been good for practice.

8. We understand your partner was involved in quite a serious accident, how are things on a family side and what support & inspiration do you get from them too?
Its quite tough really on the family side, its a case of trying to juggle money around to pay bills and then the tour etc, so sometimes it can become quite stressful. The support I get from Claire is what keeps me going, as one day I will make it to the top and our financial worries will hopefully be over.

9. It must be tough being away from home?
It can be tough sometimes but its nice to have a break from the housework. I have quite a few friends who like being house husbands and I love it too but it would be amazing for Claire to be the mum she has always been and more, so my focus is being the best I can be too.

10. You used to drive HGV’s for a living too? How was that? Do you miss your friends from back then?
Driving long distance and European work was fantastic, I do miss it, even though it was long distance, I did have my creature comforts like a TV and PlayStation and I’d take anyone on at Fifa or the darts on that too, ha ha. I didn’t really have so called friends as such from back then, because you meet up with them maybe in one week on the Monday to start work and then you wouldn’t see the guys for another 2-3 wks. The guys who do it week in week out are propper troopers!

11. What types of support are you looking to get from your involvement in the sport? Have you had help from sponsors/management in helping you progress?
That’s a very good question, I have linked up with management agency Mason Mac Media who have excelled my ambitions and are now making them a reality. I’m always after financial help from as many backers as I’m allowed to aid my progress, as in this sport you need all the help one can get. The guys at the top make it big but for the lower regions its all about the team you have behind you and I’m fortunate enough to have a great backing this year.

12. What has been the highlight of your career so far then? I bet everyone who has helped and knows you are very proud of your achievements?
My highlight has to be winning my tour card at the Q school, finishing top of the OOM, which has enabled me to play the worlds top players and giving them a run for their money. My biggest scalp to date is Alan Tabern beating him 6-5. Other players I have played and should have won were Jelle Klasson, Co Stompe and Scott Rand all those games losing 6-5 when in winning positions. Again this is down to a bit of inexperience but I feel I’m in the best position now to overcome this.

13. We see your on Twitter @slugger180, do you get a lot of tweets? How’s it going?
I am on Twitter and have only been into it really in the last couple of months, still trying to get my head around it, I am not really a techy kind of person. A big advantage is I do get to speak with other players and fans on there which is a great tool to have especially when you want to do your fans proud.

14. So where did Slugger come from?
Slugger came from Claire, I play a lot of golf (when I can) and I was playing in a charity match on their longest drive hole and I won it hitting a 330yrd drive…..Since then the name has stuck…surprisingly!

15. …and your walk on music is Mr Dizzee Rascal – What a tune. Why that song?
My walk on music is Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal, its an upbeat song to get the crowd going (when I can use it)  Plus most people who know me think I am Bonkers so it suits me to a T.

16. Well, we look forward to seeing you in 2012 and beating Phil Taylor then!! How can any sponsors get in touch to be part of this?
Beating Phil Taylor before he retires is a must and to go on and win whatever event it was in would be amazing, just to prove it was no fluke and that I’m raring to go. I’d love to have some shirt sponsors on for 2012 and David has come up with some brilliant solutions for sponsors and for me. He’s worked on both sides of darts sponsorships now so he knows what it can achieve for an advertiser as well as giving me as a player, the most comfortable platform to play. Sponsors can get in touch with my management Mason Mac Media. If there is such an easy going manager along with him & his team being such professionals, they are the best guys to speak to for anyone.

Thanks, Andy

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