Interview with Tony Eccles
Back in issue 2 of We Love Darts, we revealed that PDC player Tony Eccles is now being sponsored by darts forum Superstars of Darts. Over 100 members of the website bought £25 shares to raise around £3,650 in sponsorship, and The Viper was the player they chose to support, picking up 40 per cent of the votes.
Tony said at the time: “I will be wearing the badge very proudly and hope to make all the members proud. This means a lot to me and my wife, especially as this is voted – unbelievable. I’m currently a full-time professional without a sponsor and am struggling. The total cost for entries alone this year is £4,000, so covering even a part of that is a massive help to a family man like me.”
Tony has been proudly displaying his sponsorship at events around the UK, but he found time to talk to Charis Mutschler from Superstars of Darts about sponsorship, life in the PDC and the perils of gardening…
Tony, how difficult is it to find a sponsor?
At the moment it’s really very, very hard to find one – at least for us darts players.
Do you think the situation is getting worse?
It’s getting worse and worse. It’s not that there are more players around – it’s definitely the financial crisis. People just don’t have any interest in sponsoring at the moment, not with their financial problems.
But you did have a sponsor…
Yes, I had a sponsor, but that wasn’t too easy either. When I wasn’t able to perform, I always thought I’d let my sponsor down and that even dragged me down even more!
Is it more important to have a sponsor playing in the PDC?
It’s a lot more important as playing the PDC circuit is a lot more expensive then playing BDO – it’s around £20,000 a year.
And does that SOD sponsorship really help?
Oh yes, believe me – it really makes a big difference and I’m very grateful for it!
Why did you change to the PDC and do you still think it was the right decision?
It was only for financial reasons and looking at the money one could make in the PDC, it definitely was the right decision.
Though it’s harder to get into the top players at the PDC…
Yes, that really is harder.
Is playing darts in the PDC something like a job?
It certainly is like a job. I still try to enjoy it nevertheless. In the BDO it was really enjoyment and I had a rather good time but I didn’t earn enough money.
What for you was the biggest difference between the two organisations?
I think it’s the format of the matches. It’s best of five without exception in the BDO, but the UK Open starts with best of 11, then in round three we’ve got best of 17. That’s much longer and we all have to struggle at the beginning. You need a lot more staying power playing in the PDC!
Are you now a full-time professional?
I try to be, yes! I think I can say I am.
What’s your original profession?
I’m a landscape gardener.
That’s hard work – did it have any effect on your darting capabilities?
I would say it even had a positive effect. I played rather good darts but then got an arm injury in my throwing arm because of the hard work and that really had an effect on my capabilities. The last year was not easy! I don’t work in my profession any longer and now slowly it’s getting better. The arm now finally stays through matches again.
Was it difficult to combine your job and playing darts?
It was. I usually practiced after work during the night-time.
And what’s your practice routine?
I practise around two hours every day, mostly doubles.
And do you still play league?
Yes, I play that as well.
What about exhibitions?
I think it’s not a good time for exhibitions at the moment. At least, I’m not much in demand! I would say there’s really only interest in the top ten and the legends.
Have you got a practice partner?
No, not really. Not a regular one.
Do you think a practice partner is necessary?
Well, I think a practice partner is very important. You play a totally different rhythm when you play alone, so for playing tournaments and to get used to the tournament-playing rhythm, a practice partner is necessary.
Would you say you’re still getting better as a player?
I’ve been playing for 23 years now and I think I’m getting better all the time. Everybody seems to get better and better.
What’s your goal for this year and do you have a long-time goal?
My former goal was to be a world-class, top player. I reached that in the BDO – I was number four for a long time.
With the PDC, it was to get into the top 32 to qualify for the major tournaments, which I achieved as well. So now I’ll try to establish myself there. It might be my goal to get into the top 16, but that will be very hard and I’m not really anxious to get there.
You can find Superstars of Darts at www.starsofdarts.com.