Support or not Support.​​

Greg Clegg
I recently attended a Tournament that held both Darts Australia and BDO points. These are quite important events on the calendar and whilst the attendance was less than expected the quality of the field was considerably high. In addition to the points available, a Qualifying position in the Winmau event was also on offer, albeit self-funded.
During the course of the day, the usual highs and lows were experienced until we reached the business end of the day. The quarter finals. The room always divides into different camps supporting their pick or their friend to win the next match. However, as each round cuts in half. The crowd usually picks a different player to support should their ‘horse not finish the race”. So to speak.
This is an interesting thing to watch as they sometimes chose the person that beat their favourite and sometimes they go against them for the same reason. By the time we reach the finals there is a very definite divides in the room. It is almost always one or the other. Why else would you stay to watch once being knocked out if you didn’t have an emotional or vested interest in the final result?
This is where it gets hairy! Supporters not only barrack for the player they are supporting but often unwittingly, against their opposition. Is this possible? Of course it is. For example. A player approaches the line with 210 left on the board and scores 41 not leaving themselves a chance to peg on the next walk. Effectively this give the opposition 6 darts guaranteed to finish the leg. AS the opposition approaches the line with a similar score on the board, one of their supporters will yell out ‘Jump on that’. Perhaps embellishing the language somewhat! This in fact, is not support of your player but moreover, disdain for the opposition. When this is heard by supporters of the other party, of course there is a level of retaliation. This goes on until the end of the match. In all my years of watching darts, I have rarely seen an argument between the two players playing a final. It is almost always between over enthusiastic supporters. So I pose the question, Is there a right and wrong way to support?
I believe there is. I was given some advice many years ago that I believe guides my behaviour and comments in the right direction. ‘Never say anything that you would not want said to or about you’. Sound advice that as it has stopped me on many occasions from embarrassing myself and creating angst amongst supporters. What does it matter? Well the obvious is the impact on a player who is the subject of such disdain. This can destroy one’s confidence and literally remove them from the potential win. It can also become a distraction for them at a point in the game where they may need the highest level of concentration. However the secondary consideration is for the supported player. What if he does not agree with your sentiment. Do you not think that this then becomes a distraction.

Location

Newcastle.