By Elliott West
“I went into the hotel bar in Slough and told the barman to give everyone a bottle of champagne. Then we had a party and believe me we drank the place dry – it was the biggest moment in my career.”
John Lowe
Introduction
The year was 1984, the year that Prince released the single Purple Rain and Virgin Atlantic Airlines was launched by Richard Branson. Far from the picture painted in George Orwell’s novel of the same name, Britain was still in the midst of industrial strife with Margaret Thatcher battling her union counterpart, Arthur Scargill in the bitter miners’ strike. A strike ensued, caused by the closure of 20 mine pits and the potential loss of 20,000 jobs. 150,000 miners walked out on strike as a result which led to a dispute that would last until March 1985. One of the longest ever industrial disputes and a defining moment in British industrial relations.
The Day Darting History Was Made
John Lowe had already made his mark on the world of darts. The player that is nicknamed ‘Old Stoneface’, first started playing in 1966 and by 1984 had already won the 1979 World Championship and the 1976 and 1980 World Masters. Lowe was a dominant force in this golden era of darts and always looked highly dangerous when he walked onto the stage to the walk-on music of Boney M’s hit “Hooray! Hooray! It’s a Holi-Holiday”.
However, never in his wildest dreams could John imagine what would happen in 1984. I remember the moment well. I was staying with my Grandparents in Petworth, West Sussex and in their front room they had a large colour television, rented from Radio Rentals. I was only 12 at the time but it seems only like yesterday. If you remember, Saturday afternoon was always always a time during this period when you used to sit down and watch World of Sport. Hosted by Dickie David, the programme used to show a whole host of major and minor sports including wrestling and water skiing.
However, on this October afternoon, October 13th to be precise, ITV had set up its cameras at the World Matchplay Darts Championship in Slough and the match in question was between Keith Deller and John Lowe. John, wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, looked steely from the outset against his fresh-faced opponent with ruffled hair. I remember the silence was deafening as I watched on the edge of my seat. This was precision darts with Lowe playing all his ace cards.
Dart after dart echoed as they hit the middle of the double twenty bed and like a 147 in snooker the moment was excruciating but at the same time exhilarating. I just remember the number 180 being shouted louder by the scorer on the second instance and the commentator saying “we are on course for a nine-dart checkout” At 2 sets to 1 to Lowe and John one leg up, the score looked ominous with Deller back at 442 and John only needing 141.
With Keith only managing a 100 throw, the stage was set for the man from Chesterfield to make darting history. The concentration on John’s face was palpable as he came back to the oche with light beads of perspiration forming on his forehead. Even Deller couldn’t watch, deciding to look at the floor rather than the dartboard.
Going for three 17s, dart after dart hit the required target and when the treble 18 went in, I couldn’t look at the television screen. All I heard was the thud of the dart as it hit the double 18 bed and the roar of the commentator and crowd that followed. Holding his arm aloft, Lowe broke out in a broad smile and shook Deller’s hand. The 501 magic scoreline had been achieved and received £102,000 as a result. Lowe would go on to reach the final and win the tournament, beating Cliff Lazarenko 5-3 but the tournament itself would sadly be short-lived.
