![]() | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
Between 1993 and 2020 professional darts had two rival bodies which staged tournaments and had separate pools of players, the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Both staged its own world championship. In practice, players had to choose which organisation to represent, but many switched between the two, which often caused controversy.
This situation arose following an acrimonious split in the early 1990s between the leading players and the BDO. Darts had boomed in popularity during the 1980s, with as many as 23 televised events in 1983. However, by the end of the decade this had fallen to just one. This, combined with general disillusionment at the BDO's management of the sport, prompted 16 top players to break away and form their own body. Four years of legal action followed, culminating in the 1997 Tomlin order, which confirmed the existence of both bodies, and established that players were free choose which one to play for.
This list documents the players who made the decision to switch from one organisation to the other. In general more players switched from the BDO to the PDC than vice versa, attracted by the greater prize money and better competition offered by the PDC. The BDO folded in 2020, but many of their events were subsequently revived by the World Darts Federation, so the split in darts remains.
The sixteen darts defectors who formed the WDC were as follows:
Player | Time with BDO | Notes |
---|---|---|
![]() | 1988–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 2018. |
![]() | 1989–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 2014. |
![]() | 1987–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 2007. |
![]() | 1985–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 2009. |
![]() | 1986–1993 | Quit the PDC in 2008 to rejoin the BDO. Returned to the PDC in 2011 and retired from darts in 2018. |
![]() | 1984–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 2006. |
![]() | 1979–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 1996. |
![]() | 1979–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 2007. |
![]() | 1983–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 2007. |
![]() | 1975–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 2007. |
![]() | 1979–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 2008. |
![]() | 1977–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 2007. |
![]() | 1987–1993 | Remained a PDC player until his retirement in 2007. |
![]() | 1988–1993 | Quit the PDC in 2009 due to ill-health but returned to the BDO in 2011. Retired in 2013. |
![]() | 1983–1992 | Quit the PDC in 1993 to return to the BDO. Retired from darts in 2005. |
![]() | 1986–1993 | Quit the PDC in 1993 and retired from professional darts the same year. |
Since then, many darts players have left the BDO to join the PDC, although some players rejoined the BDO either from finding it difficult on the PDC circuit or lack of sponsorship. The PDC had new talent of their own. However some players left them to join the BDO.
Year of transfer | Player | Time with BDO | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | ![]() | 1992 | Quit the PDC in 2007. Died in 2008 |
1994 | ![]() | 1988–1994 | Quit the PDC in 2005 |
1994 | ![]() | 1992–1993 | Quit the PDC in 1997 but rejoined them in 2007. Quit in 2011 and is now with the BDO |
1994 | ![]() ![]() | 1980–1994 | |
1994 | ![]() | 1993–1994 | |
1994 | ![]() | 1990 | Quit the PDC in 2009 |
1994 | ![]() | 1980–1994 | Quit the PDC in 1996 |
1994 | ![]() | 1985–1994 | Quit the PDC in 1995 but rejoined them in 2003. Quit in 2007 |
1994 | ![]() | 1981–1993 | Quit the PDC in 1997 |
1994 | ![]() | 1987–1993 | Quit the PDC in 2000 |
1994 | ![]() | 1993 | Quit the PDC in 2010 |
1994 | ![]() | 1993 | Quit the PDC in 1995 |
1994 | ![]() | 1993–1994 | Quit the PDC in 1995 |
1994 | ![]() | 1993 | Quit the PDC in 2009 |
1994 | ![]() | 1993 | Quit the PDC in 1995 |
1994 | ![]() | 1993 | Quit the PDC in 2007 to rejoin BDO in 2008 |
1994 | ![]() | 1991–1993 | Quit the PDC in 1996 but rejoined them in 2006. Quit in 2008 |
1994 | ![]() | 1989–1994 | Quit the PDC in 2004 |
1994 | ![]() | 1989–1994 | Quit the PDC in 2008 to rejoin BDO in 2012. Quit in 2014 |
1994 | ![]() | 1993 | Quit the PDC in 2001 |
1995 | ![]() | 1994 | Quit the PDC in 2001 but rejoined them in 2004. |
1995 | ![]() | 1994 | Quit the PDC in 1996 |
1995 | ![]() | 1988–1993 | Quit the PDC in 2006 |
1995 | ![]() | 1991 | Quit the PDC in 2003 |
1995 | ![]() | 1987–1994 | Quit the PDC in 2001 |
1995 | ![]() | 1994 | Quit the PDC in 1995 |
1996 | ![]() | 1983 | Quit the PDC in 1997 |
1996 | ![]() | 1992 | Quit the PDC in 2006 |
1996 | ![]() | 1995 | Quit the PDC in 2008 |
1996 | ![]() | 1995–1996 | Quit the PDC in 2017 |
1996 | ![]() | 1990–1996 | |
1996 | ![]() | 1987–1990 | Quit the PDC in 1996 |
1996 | ![]() | 1990 | Quit the PDC in 2017 |
1996 | ![]() | 1981–1987 | Quit the PDC in 1997 |
1996 | ![]() | 1995 | Quit the PDC in 2000 to rejoin BDO in 2002. Quit the 2017 |
1996 | ![]() | 1975–1976 | Quit the PDC in 2004 |
1996 | ![]() | 1994–1996 | Quit the PDC in 1997 |
1996 | ![]() | 1995–1996 | Quit the PDC in 1997 |
1997 | ![]() | 1991–1997 | Also a pundit for Sky Sports Darts |
1997 | ![]() | 1986 | Quit the PDC in 1998 |
1997 | ![]() | 1995–1997 | Quit the PDC in 2010 to rejoin the BDO in 2011 |
1997 | ![]() | 1986–1994 | Quit the PDC in 1997 |
1997 | ![]() | 1995–1997 | Quit the PDC in 2015 |
1997 | ![]() | 1993–1997 | Quit the PDC in 2004 to rejoin the BDO in 2006. Quit the 2009 |
1997 | ![]() | 1977–1983 | Quit the PDC in 2006. Died in 2014 |
1998 | ![]() | 1994–1997 | Quit the PDC in 2017 |
1998 | ![]() | 1996–1998 | |
1998 | ![]() | 1997–1998 | Quit the PDC in 2001 |
1998 | ![]() | 1998 | Quit the PDC in 2018 |
1999 | ![]() | 1987–1999 | Quit the PDC in 2014 but rejoined them in 2016 |
1999 | ![]() | 1989–1999 | Quit the PDC in 2014 and is now a pundit for RTL7 Darts |
1999 | ![]() | 1998 | Quit the PDC in 2015 but rejoined them in 2018. Quit in 2018 |
1999 | ![]() | 1998 | Quit the PDC in 2014 to rejoin BDO in 2014 |
2000 | ![]() | 1994–1998 | Quit the PDC in 2010. Died in 2018 |
2000 | ![]() | 1988–2000 | Quit the PDC in 2011 |
2000 | ![]() | 1996–1999 | Quit the PDC in 2012 |
2000 | ![]() | 1986–2000 | Quit the PDC in 2015 |
2000 | ![]() | 1998–2000 | Quit the PDC in 2004 |
2001 | ![]() | 1999–2001 | Quit the PDC in 2013 |
2001 | ![]() | 1988–2001 | |
2001 | ![]() | 1990–2001 | |
2001 | ![]() | 1994–2001 | |
2001 | ![]() | 1994–2001 | |
2001 | ![]() | 1990–2001 | Quit the PDC in 2014 and is now a commentator for ITV Sports Darts rejoined the BDO in 2015. Quit in 2016 |
2001 | ![]() | 1993–2001 | Quit the PDC in 2007 |
2001 | ![]() | 1987–2001 | Quit the PDC in 2006 |
2001 | ![]() | 1994–2001 | Quit the PDC in 2011 but rejoined them in 2013. Quit in 2015 |
2002 | ![]() | 1999–2001 | Quit the PDC in 2006 |
2002 | ![]() | 1990–2001 | Quit the PDC in 2007 |
2002 | ![]() | 1990–2001 | |
2002 | ![]() | 1994–1997 | Quit the PDC in 2007 |
2002 | ![]() | 2001 | |
2002 | ![]() | 2002 | |
2002 | ![]() | 2000–2002 | Quit the PDC in 2003 the rejoin BDO in 2005. Quit in 2010 |
2002 | ![]() | 2000-2002 | Quit the PDC in 2015 to rejoin BDO in 2016. |
2002 | ![]() | 1995–2001 | Quit the PDC in 2005 |
2002 | ![]() | 1985–2002 | Quit the PDC in 2016 |
2002 | ![]() | 1995–2001 | |
2002 | ![]() | 1988–2002 | |
2002 | ![]() | 1974–2002 | Quit the PDC in 2005 the rejoin BDO in 2006. Quit in 2007 |
2002 | ![]() | 1994–2001 | Quit the PDC in 2012 to rejoin BDO in 2012. Quit in 2016 |
2002 | ![]() | 1998 | Quit the PDC in 2017 |
2002 | ![]() | 1993–2002 | Quit the PDC in 2012 and is now a commentator for Sky Sports Darts |
2002 | ![]() | 1997–2002 | Quit the PDC in 2004 |
2002 | ![]() | 1997–2002 | Quit the PDC in 2004 to rejoin BDO in 2005. Quit the 2011. |
2002 | ![]() | 2001 | Quit the PDC in 2012 to rejoin BDO in 2013. Quit the 2015 |
2003 | ![]() | 1996–1997 | Quit the PDC in 2008 |
2003 | ![]() | 2002 | Quit the PDC in 2010 to rejoin BDO in 2011 |
2003 | ![]() | 2002 | Quit the PDC in 2010 to rejoin BDO in 2011. Quit in 2015. but rejoined them in 2018 |
2003 | ![]() | 1985–1993 | Quit the PDC in 2009 to rejoin BDO in 2012. Quit in 2014 |
2003 | ![]() | 1985–1986 | Quit the PDC in 2006 |
2003 | ![]() | 1991–1999 | Quit the PDC in 2003 |
2003 | ![]() | 1997–2002 | |
2003 | ![]() | 2002 | Quit the PDC in 2008 to rejoin BDO in 2010. Quit in 2011 |
2003 | ![]() | 2001–2003 | Quit the PDC in 2011 |
2003 | ![]() | 1995 | Quit the PDC in 2014 to rejoin BDO in 2014. Quit in 2017 |
2003 | ![]() | 1989–2002 | Quit the PDC in 2004 |
2003 | ![]() | 1991–2003 | Quit the PDC in 2009 to rejoin BDO in 2013. Quit the 2015 |
2004 | ![]() | 1996–2004 | |
2004 | ![]() | 1989–2004 | Quit the PDC in 2006 |
2004 | ![]() | 2003 | Quit the PDC in 2017 |
2004 | ![]() | 2002–2003 | Quit the PDC in 2007 to rejoin BDO in 2010. Quit in 2017 |
2004 | ![]() | 2004 | Quit the PDC in 2011 |
2004 | ![]() | 1993–2004 | Quit the PDC in 2011 |
2004 | ![]() | 2001–2004 | |
2004 | ![]() | 2004 | Quit the PDC in 2013 |
2004 | ![]() | 1979–1992 | Quit the PDC in 2007. |
2004 | ![]() | 1995–2004 | |
2004 | ![]() | 2003 | Quit the PDC in 2007 |
2004 | ![]() | 2004 | Quit the PDC in 2017 |
2005 | ![]() | 2004 | |
2005 | ![]() | 1985–1990 | Quit the PDC in 2005 |
2005 | ![]() | 1998–2004 | |
2005 | ![]() | 1983–2005 | Quit the PDC in 2016 |
2005 | ![]() | 2004 | |
2006 | ![]() | 1987–2006 | |
2006 | ![]() | 2006 | Quit the PDC in 2017 |
2006 | ![]() | 2000–2005 | Quit the PDC in 2012 |
2006 | ![]() | 2001–2004 | Quit the PDC in 2012 |
2006 | ![]() | 1998 | Quit the PDC in 2015 |
2006 | ![]() | 1989–2004 | Quit the PDC in 2016 |
2006 | ![]() | 1983–1992 | Quit the PDC in 2006 |
2006 | ![]() | 2003–2006 | Quit the PDC in 2015 |
2006 | ![]() | 2006 | |
2006 | ![]() | 1998–2006 | Quit the PDC in 2008 to rejoin BDO in 2011 |
2006 | ![]() | 1991–2006 | Quit the PDC in 2016 to rejoin BDO in 2017 |
2006 | ![]() | 2003–2006 | |
2007 | ![]() | 1992–2007 | |
2007 | ![]() | 2003–2007 | |
2007 | ![]() | 1983 | Quit the PDC in 2015 |
2007 | ![]() | 1994–2007 | |
2007 | ![]() | 2003–2007 | |
2007 | ![]() | 1992–2005 | |
2007 | ![]() | 1987–2007 | |
2007 | ![]() | 2006–2007 | |
2007 | ![]() | 1999–2005 | |
2007 | ![]() | 2001–2007 | |
2007 | ![]() | 1998–2007 | Quit the PDC in 2013 |
2007 | ![]() | 1990–2007 | Quit the PDC in 2011 |
2008 | ![]() | 2006 | Quit the PDC in 2009 |
2008 | ![]() | 1990–1992 | Quit the PDC in 2017 |
2008 | ![]() | 2000–2008 | |
2008 | ![]() | 2002–2007 | |
2008 | ![]() | 1996–2008 | |
2008 | ![]() | 2005–2008 | |
2008 | ![]() | 2005–2007 | Quit the PDC in 2008 |
2008 | ![]() | 2003–2008 | Quit the PDC in 2012 |
2008 | ![]() | 2005–2006 | Quit the PDC in 2015 |
2008 | ![]() | 1980–1992 | Quit the PDC in 2010 to rejoin BDO in 2010 |
2008 | ![]() | 2002–2008 | |
2009 | ![]() | 2000–2009 | |
2009 | ![]() | 1987–2009 | |
2009 | ![]() | 1994–2009 | Quit the PDC in 2011 to rejoin the BDO in 2013 |
2009 | ![]() | 1998–2009 | Quit the PDC in 2015 |
2009 | ![]() | 2006–2009 | |
2010 | ![]() | 2005–2009 | |
2010 | ![]() | 1995–2010 | Quit the PDC in 2012. Died in 2017 |
2010 | ![]() | 2004–2010 | Quit the PDC in 2013 |
2010 | ![]() | 2004–2010 | |
2010 | ![]() | 2007–2010 | |
2010 | ![]() | 2000–2010 | Joined the PDC in 2005 Still plays in the BDO since 2013 |
2010 | ![]() | 2005–2010 | |
2011 | ![]() | 2004–2011 | |
2011 | ![]() | 2003–2011 | |
2011 | ![]() | 2002–2011 | Quit the PDC in 2014 to rejoin BDO in 2014 |
2012 | ![]() | 2002–2012 | Quit the PDC in 2016 |
2012 | ![]() | 2004–2012 | |
2012 | ![]() | 2006–2012 | |
2012 | ![]() | 1994–2012 | Quit the PDC in 2013 to rejoin the BDO in 2014 |
2012 | ![]() | 2008–2012 | Quit the PDC in 2016 but rejoined them in 2018 |
2012 | ![]() | 1995–2003 | Quit the PDC in 2013 |
2013 | ![]() | 1988–2012 | Quit the PDC in 2015 |
2014 | ![]() | 2009–2014 | |
2014 | ![]() | 2002–2014 | |
2015 | ![]() | 2006–2015 | |
2015 | ![]() | 2007–2015 | |
2015 | ![]() | 2008–2015 | |
2016 | ![]() | 2010–2016 | |
2017 | ![]() | 2009–2017 | |
2017 | ![]() | 2010–2017 | |
2017 | ![]() | 2007–2017 | |
2018 | ![]() | 2006–2018 | |
2018 | ![]() | 2012–2018 | |
2018 | ![]() | 2016–2018 | |
2018 | ![]() | 2002–2018 | Quit the PDC in 2018 |
2018 | ![]() | 2006–2018 | |
2018 | ![]() | 1995–2018 | Quit the PDC in 2018 |
2018 | ![]() | 2002–2018 | Quit the PDC in 2018 |
2018 | ![]() | 2013–2018 | |
2018 | ![]() | 2007–2018 | |
2018 | ![]() | 2005–2018 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2004–2019 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2010–2019 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2006–2019 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2004–2019 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2010–2019 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2004–2019 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2012–2019 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2016–2019 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2014–2019 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2016–2019 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2015–2019 | |
2019 | ![]() | 2016–2019 |
Year of transfer | Player | Time with BDO | Time with PDC | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | ![]() | 1976–1991 | 1993–2004 | |
2007 | ![]() | 1998–2005 | 2005–2007 | |
2007 | ![]() | 1994–2004 | 2004–2007 | |
2007 | ![]() | 1994–2005 | 2005–2006 | Quit the BDO in 2017 |
2008 | ![]() | 1986–1993 | 1993–2008 | Was one of the 16 WDC defectors. Quit in 2018. |
2009 | ![]() | 1990–1997 | 2002–2005 | |
2009 | ![]() | 2003–2007 | 2007–2009 | |
2010 | ![]() | 2004–2008 | 2008–2010 | |
2010 | ![]() | 1998–2009 | 2009–2010 | Quit the BDO in 2018 rejoined the PDC in 2018. |
2010 | ![]() | 2002–2003 | 2004–2009 | Quit the PDC in 2010. |
2011 | ![]() | 2004–2008 | 2008–2011 | |
2012 | ![]() | 2002–2007 | 2007–2011 | Quit the PDC in 2011 rejoined the BDO in 2012. Quit in 2014. |
2013 | ![]() | 1990–2008 | 2009–2011 | Rejoined the BDO in 2013. |
2014 | ![]() | 1994–2008 | 2008–2013 | Rejoined the PDC in 2018. |
2014 | ![]() | 1995–2012 | 2012–2014 | Rejoined the BDO in 2014. |
2014 | ![]() | 2008–2011 | 2011–2013 | Rejoined the PDC in 2018. |
Year of transfer | Player | Time with PDC | Time with BDO | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | ![]() | 2002–2003 | 2004–2009 | [1] |
2011 | ![]() | 2002–2003 | 2004–2011 | [2] |
2012 | ![]() | 2008–2010 | 2006–2008, 2010–2012 | |
2015 | ![]() | 2003–2007 | 2008–2015 | [3] |
2018 | ![]() | 2011–2013 | 2002–2011, 2014–2017 | |
2020 | ![]() | 2004–2018 | 2018–2020 | |
2020 | ![]() | 2002–2018 | 2018–2020 |
The World Professional Darts Championship is one of the most important tournaments in the darts calendar. Originally held as an annual event between 1978 and 1993, players then broke off into two separate organisations after a controversial split in the game. Each organisation, the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) then arranged their own World Championships, the former in January the latter in December. As a result, there was no longer a unified world champion in the sport for nearly three decades.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) is a professional darts organisation in the United Kingdom, established in 1992 when a group of leading players split from the British Darts Organisation (BDO) to form what was initially called the World Darts Council (WDC). Sports promoter Eddie Hearn is the PDC chairman.
John Part is a Canadian former professional darts player and current commentator. Nicknamed "Darth Maple", he is a three-time World Champion, having won the 1994 BDO World Darts Championship on his world championship debut, and the PDC World Championship in 2003 and 2008. Part is statistically North America's greatest darts player to date. He has the distinction of being the first non-UK player to win the World Championship, and the only non-European to date to win the PDC World Darts Championship.
The British Darts Organisation (BDO) was a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft. Made up of 66 member counties, it oversaw professional, semi-professional and amateur darts competitions in Britain. The BDO was a founder member of the World Darts Federation in 1974. It also staged a World Professional Darts Championship from 1978 to 2020.
The PDC World Darts Championship, known for sponsorship purposes as the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), is a World Professional Darts Championship held annually in the sport of darts. The PDC world championship begins in December and ends in January and is held at Alexandra Palace in London and has been held there since 2008. It is the most prestigious of the PDC's tournaments, with the winner receiving the Sid Waddell Trophy, named in honour of the darts commentator Sid Waddell, who died in 2012. Along with the Premier League Darts and World Matchplay, it is considered part of the Triple Crown.
The BDO World Darts Championship was a professional darts tournament organised by the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and held annually from 1978 to 2020.
The Bullit World Darts Trophy was a professional darts tournament run by the British Darts Organisation and the World Darts Federation. Held each September from 2002 to 2007, it took place at the De Vechtsebanen in Utrecht, Netherlands. The tournament had a playing format comparable with the two World Championships. Until 2007, it formed the third leg of the BDO Grand Slam, along with the BDO World Championship, the World Masters and the International Darts League.
The 1998 Skol World Darts Championship was held between 29 December 1997 and 4 January 1998 at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex. Skol, who sponsored the inaugural event in 1994 returned as title sponsors – which they were to fulfil for the next five years.
Richard Mark Burnett, nicknamed Prince of Wales, is a Welsh professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He is a former World No. 1 who won the 1995 Embassy World Darts Championship. Burnett is known for coming on to "Dakota" and dancing on stage. He is also known for his fiery personality, fighting with Adrian Lewis on stage during the 2012 Players Championship Finals.
Michael Seward Gregory was an English professional darts player, best remembered as the runner-up to Phil Taylor in the 1992 Embassy World Darts Championship final, which went to a tiebreak final leg and is regarded as one of the greatest matches in darts history.
Chris Mason is an English former professional darts player. He used the nickname Mace the Ace.
Tony Eccles is an English former professional darts player and convicted rapist. Nicknamed The Viper, he played in both the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). He reached the quarter-finals of the BDO World Darts Championship twice and is a former winner of the Dutch Open, British Open and British Pentathlon.
Peter Kenneth Evison is an English former professional darts player who competed in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and British Darts Organisation (BDO) events. Nicknamed The Fen Tiger, his greatest achievements were winning the 1989 Winmau World Masters and the 1996 World Matchplay.
Tony Martin is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events.
The split in darts refers to the acrimonious 1993 dispute between professional darts players and the game's governing body, the British Darts Organisation (BDO), resulting in the creation of a rival darts circuit under the banner of the World Darts Council, which eventually became the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
Steve Brown is an American former professional darts player who had the majority of his success during the 1990s, when he finished third at the inaugural Professional Darts Corporation's version of the World Championship in 1994 – after the majority of top players decided to separate from the British Darts Organisation.
Robbie Green is a former English professional darts player. His nickname was Kong.
The 2012 Lakeside World Professional Darts Championship was the 35th BDO World Darts Championship organised by the British Darts Organisation, and the 27th staging at the Lakeside Country Club at Frimley Green. It took place from January 7th to January 15th.
Christian Kist is a Dutch professional darts player. In 2012, he won the BDO World Darts Championship, defeating Tony O'Shea in the final. Since 2014, he has competed in the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
The WDC UK Masters, also known as the Lada UK Masters, was a professional darts tournament held from 1992 to 1994. It is notable for being the first tournament staged by the World Darts Council, which later became the Professional Darts Corporation, without any involvement from the sport's governing body, the British Darts Organisation, and was thus another important step towards the eventual split in darts.