Wayne Mardle interview

To celebrate the opening of the doors on this brand new darts fansite, darts’ supreme entertainer, Wayne Mardle, agreed to answer a few of our questions, taking time out of his busy schedule.

I hope to continue to bring you exclusive interviews with other PDC players – giving us a bit of an insight on the modern darts professional.  Join us as a member and help decide who you would like to hear more from.

1)  I know we (your fans) were all disappointed with your early exit from the world championships this year, and it was less of a spectacle for it.

I know you’re very much a confidence player – how are you feeling right now?    Are you looking to change anything, such as more or less practice?  I know Peter Manley said his game was suffering through too many exhibitions – do you feel they hinder or help your form?

I have changed my throw a tad just to give me more rhythm. It seems straighter too. Which is nice.

As for exhibitions, I love them, so I feel they help me, as you stated I’m a confidence player and they help with that.

2)  I’m sure your sick of hearing commentators and pundits say that your game would improve if you didn’t put on so much of a show when entering a TV tournament and just ‘concentrated on your darts’.
I actually think that your performance on the board is linked to your relationship with the crowd, and the buzz their reaction gives you…    How important do you feel it is to entertain the punters? Would you consider changing things for one tournament to see if it had any effect on your game?

I tried mellowing it and I hated it. Not for me. I want people to have a good time and if I can help then that’s good enough me.

3)  Darts itself seems to have gone from strength to strength in the last few years – venue sizes are increasing, TV time is growing (ITV televising tournaments now), and the media are quicker to feature PDC darts players.     What’s your view on the current state of the sport of darts?   Where do you see it in 10 years time?

In ten years I can see the sport of darts exactly were it is now, it has to level off, a product can’t keep growing.

I have read that you’ve suggested that darts players be tested for booze as well as drugs – and that most/all players need a tipple to steady the nerves before games.  is that still the case?  As the grass roots of the game is the pubs and clubs, could it, and should it, ever break that link totally?

As for the drinking within the players, I think banning it would be great, it would attract different sponsors such as car company’s to name one.

Professional sport is different to grass roots level so removing the alcohol is just making it more professional.

4)  The fans – the PDC fans are a vocal and shandy loving bunch – you only have to compare the two world championships to see the difference between them and the standard BDO crowd.  What’s your view on how the PDC (and Sky) have grown the fanbase of darts?  Are the crowds too rowdy now – or is it all part of the test put to a modern darts player?

An atmosphere is great to have, those days of silence are gone. The pdc and sky sports have done as much for the sport as the players.

5)  Other players –  It might be a bit of a generalisation, but most of the players seem to get along.
Who is your favourite player to play (maybe because you usually win, or because their style/throwing speed suits yours, or maybe they just are a laugh!).

I love playing John Part, he just plays the game and he’s a class man.
John once head butted me because I have one of those faces.

Who is the best fun off the Oche?  Can you give us one ‘fact’ or story about another player that would surprise us darts fans?

Off the oche. Peter Manley. He’s like an older, very much older brother, I love him. In Vegas one year Peter lost $2000 waiting 10 minutes to see a pirate show. Funny.

6) Outside darts – when you’re not practicing, competing, or doing exhibitions;
What do you do to unwind?  Your book mentioned fish – is the fishpond still going strong?

The pond has gone, far too much hassle, all the fish have a lovely new home.
I play poker,golf and table tennis, my passion is greyhound racing.

7)  What would you say is the highlight of your playing career to date?  What is your target for this year?  (We need you back in the premier league!)

Highlight if my career was playing for England.
Target, to win the world championships.

8) You’ve unleashed your latest shirt to the world last year – so the most important question every Mardle fan is asking is;  Where can we get one?

Well that’s a funny one because I’m looking to change already.  The material is great but its a bit dull.  But if you want one email me, all monies go to charity.

On behalf of your legion of fans, I’d like to thank you again for taking time to respond, and wish you all the best in 2010.  Wayne Mardle’s own website can be found here, and is currently ranked 22nd in the world (PDC Order of Merit).

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