Interview with Q School Hopeful Scott Johnson

As the darts year comes to an end, many players, young and old, experienced and new to the PDC will be thinking about the 2014 Qualifying school.  There’s rumours of more players from the BDO giving it a go this year, due to the extra option of the 2nd “Challenge” tour being an option if a tour card isn’t won.

I have spoken to a young player, Scott Johnson, who has played on the challenge tour this year, and taken part in the world youth championships.  He will be heading to Wigan in the new year hoping to gain his ProTour tour card, and I thought it would be good to hear from one of those wanting to live the dream of PDC professional darts…  [see our other interviews here]

Q.  First of all, for those darts fans reading this and seeing your name for the first time, tell us a bit about yourself?  

I am 21 soon to be 22 in may 2014, I was born in Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent and moved to Trent Vale, Stoke-On-Trent In 2001.

My hobbies are fishing, playing darts obviously and playing music on my guitars and other various instruments.

I currently work at Stoke City Football Club and Port Vale Football Club as a steward.

Q.  When did you first take up darts, and when did you realise you wanted to be a professional darts player?

I was introduced into darts by my childhood friend and other well accomplished dart player and England International from Stoke-On-Trent, Jake Jones at the age of 12-13, and then spend many weekends away at the Welsh Open which Jake took part in.

Jake was playing for Staffordshire County Youth Darts under Mrs Pat Smith and asked me if I’d like to come along and sign up.
I played first game for Staffordshire county that day as hit a average of 10.19 or something very similar ( looking back how it’s embarrassing) but I was over the moon because I won 2-1.

After entering my first tournament at Fegg Hayes Club and reached the last 64 of the potteries open I was so proud of myself although all my dad said  “Can I have my tenner back”!

My first youth county game on stage for Staffordshire after completing a season and half as reserve Pat Smith gave me chance and I won 2-0 couldn’t of been prouder to play for my county.

Then I was asked by my team mates if I would like to join a pub league on a Friday and a Tuesday; I was very nervous.  Second season came along in the Burslem Darts League under some local and good friends, I picked up the most money I’d ever dreamed of at this point by picking up most 180’s, reaching semi-finals of the merits, and winning various cups in the league.

After entering various tournaments around the country I decided I wanted more of this !

That’s when the PDC introduced the first ever Youth World Championships at Rileys clubs around the country. So I sneaked my name down on the entry list without noticing that I had my qualifying match on the 16 October 2010 which was my mums 40th birthday.   My mum wasn’t to happy after spending most of the day at Rileys, but I had qualified for the Youth World Championships which were to be held at the Barnsley Metrodome on the 4th November 2010.  I lost in the last 64 against Michael Smith 4-0 with Michael narrowly missing D12 for a 144 checkout for a 9 darter!  That was a reality check for myself that I needed to up my game!

After this the PDC introduced The Youth Tour in 2011 and I played in it for a year in half.   I failed to complet a full 2 years in the youth tour as my mum and dad were taken ill; with both having cancer scares so at this point it was my duty to take care of them and support them.

The Retrun Of The Trooper in 2013!!! 

I was lucky enough this year to compete in the Challenge Tour with sponsors Karl Holden of A180Darts.co.uk and Mark Hylton’s Sponsor Lets Play Knockout Darts.  Without these guys it wouldn’t been achievable also without support from family it also wouldn’t of been possible Thank You DAD….. Simon Johnson.

I have some notable wins this year narrowly missing out on the money, but not for one second did I think that I couldn’t mix it up with the big boys on the actual tour.

I played in the Grand Slam Of Darts Qualifier this year at Wigan,  that’s when I decided I wanted to take it further and go to Q school in 2014. 

Q.  Where do you play your darts, do you play for many teams or are you more a practice at home player?

The Congress Inn – in Longton on a Monday Stone League, who have agreed to help me out with my conquest into the PDC in 2014
The Black Lion on a Tuesday Burlsem Darts League in Trent Vale.  The local watering hole
The Chesters@A180 Superleague in Chesterton with shop owner of A180 Darts Stoke-On-Trent John Elliot.

 Q. Who are your darting heroes?

Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, Andy Hamilton, Ian White, Mark Hylton, John Lowe, Eric Bristow well all of them.  They have all produced history in their years! 

Q. What darts do you use?

I have currently just had my very own darts made by Grays Darts and what a good job he as done Thank You!  23 grams custom darts Scott The Trooper Johnson.  Hopefully be able to get them massed produced so anyone can use them. 

Q. You’ve played a lot on the challenge tour this year, what was that like, and what was the standard like?

Its awesome everyone is friendly and the officials are brilliant and a laugh and its ran with dedication.  The standard is quite high has everyone has a chance to win it and it proves that there isn’t one winner week in week out

Q.  How do you deal with nerves when you are playing?

Well I don’t really suffer with nerves as a good friend told me you’ve got walk in that room saying your going win or else you might as well not turn up so got to have a positive and mental attitude because my opponent only has 3 darts the same as me.

Q.  What made you decide now was the time to enter Q School

I am not getting any younger as the Challenge tour is 16-21 so as my time is coming to a end in the Challenge I though why not go for it.  I’ve gained my experience playing against some of the best youth players and also some pro tour players. 

Q.  If you do succeed and win a tour card, do you have anyone supporting you take part on the main tour, as it’s not a cheap thing to do!

If I achieved my dreams by winning a hard prize at Q school; a tour card, I will be dancing like a little girl 🙂
I am currently under the kindest and friendliest guys in the darting community, Karl Holden and his wife Dawn from A180Darts.co.uk from St.Helens.  I am also receiving sponsorship from one of my pubs I play for The Congress Inn in Longton.

 Q. If you were to make a TV tournament – what walk on music should be expect to hear?

It fits the name The Trooper – Iron Maiden with a twist ! that’s all I’m going to say about that.

 Q.  Which other darts players would you count as your friends?

There’s many of them from Scotland to the Isle of White.

Mainly most of my darting friends are from the holy grail of darts, Stoke-On-Trent.
County Youth Players, Super-league players, Pro Tour Players such as Andy ‘The Vision’ Pearce, Mark ‘Frosty The Throw Man’ Frost, Ian ‘Diamond’ White. Andy ‘The Hammer’ Hamilton, Darren ‘The Dazzler’ Whittingham and many many more.

 Q. What would you say is the highlight of your playing career to date?

Qualifying for the PDC Youth World Championships in 2010, Winning my first tournament 4-2 with a 158 checkout to win. Also making friends from all over the country.

 Q.  How much time are you able to practice – and do you have a set practice routine and location?

I practice for 4 hours a day when  i am not working various locations with Mark Mile High Hylton. 

Q.  Do you have a aim in darts – do you want it to be your job or a hobby you enjoy?

I want to achieve what Mr. T has.  It’s a tough order, but after all, my motto is “Dreams Come True” and it’s only my responsibility to make my dreams become a reality.  A few World Championship titles I’d settle for (laughs).  I want to make it my job just look what Adrian Lewis has done and Phil Taylor and other darters around Stoke-On-Trent (there’s something definitely in the water).

Q.  How do spend time relaxing when not playing or practising?

I try and relax with my beautiful girlfriend as much as I can because its very demanding when your girlfriend doesn’t like darts but I have to say she’s my world, and the support she gives is unbelievable when I am down and always there to cheer me on.

I hope you find my story so far interesting and thank you for reading and a big thank you to Darts, Beers and Cheers!

Kind Regards, Scott The Trooper Johnson

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