BBC Sports Personality of the Year

[chrisobee]

Tiger Woods is a bloody Yank. He's not going to win the damn award. Thickos.

 

Not even overseas Sports personality since Usain Bolt must be nailed on even if he did win in 2008.

[Master Bates]

My contender for - Young Sports Personality of the Year award

 

 

Kyle Eastmond, St Helens half-back

 

Tipped as the future Sean Long.

 

Eastmond, I ****ing love you, bring on Leeds at Old Trafford

[brightspark]

Mark Cavendish.

 

He will probably win the overseas award in France, yet has no chance in his own country.

[bungle]

Mark Cavendish.

 

He will probably win the overseas award in France, yet has no chance in his own country.

 

I have come to the conclusion that Mark Cavendish is the only person who deserves to win, even if Button wins the F1. Will have to start some kind of campaign!

[saintwarwick]

I have come to the conclusion that Mark Cavendish is the only person who deserves to win, even if Button wins the F1. Will have to start some kind of campaign!

 

I'll join your campaign, Mark cavendish is the only person deserving of this award.

[Hatch]

Unless the Beeb have the rights to show any of the cycling, then Cavendish hasn't got a chance.

More chance of it being a crown green bowler or a bog snorkler.

[bungle]

Although I still feel Cav should win, I have two more suggestions:

 

1) Dario Franchitti - after a year out he has returned to Indy Car and won the Championship.

 

2) Phil "The Power" Taylor. Another amazing year, but this time he has won ALL five major ranking events (not sure how many times he has done this, but quite rare), the World Championship, UK Open, Las Vegas Desert Classic, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix. An amazing year, and he has taken darts to another level. He probably won't even get mentioned by the Beeb.

[St Landrew]

...Phil "The Power" Taylor. Another amazing year, but this time he has won ALL five major ranking events (not sure how many times he has done this, but quite rare), the World Championship, UK Open, Las Vegas Desert Classic, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix. An amazing year, and he has taken darts to another level. He probably won't even get mentioned by the Beeb.

 

Aren't you talking about Sports and NOT games..?

 

As for Mark Cavendish, of course he deserves an award, but it won't happen. The same goes for Young Sports Personality. I could nominate 18 year old Brit, Bradley Smith. Who, you say..? Well he is currently 2nd in the 125cc MotoGP World Championship, which makes him the best young rider in the World, at present, as the leader is in his mid-20s and Spanish. But I doubt Bradley will get a mention. Both sports are too much on the fringe, and MC's cycling doesn't have the Olympic cover this year.

[bungle]

Aren't you talking about Sports and NOT games..?

 

As for Mark Cavendish, of course he deserves an award, but it won't happen. The same goes for Young Sports Personality. I could nominate 18 year old Brit, Bradley Smith. Who, you say..? Well he is currently 2nd in the 125cc MotoGP World Championship, which makes him the best young rider in the World, at present, as the leader is in his mid-20s and Spanish. But I doubt Bradley will get a mention. Both sports are too much on the fringe, and MC's cycling doesn't have the Olympic cover this year.

 

I know who Bradley Smith is. At least BBC have the rights to Moto GP, so he should be on their radar.

[St Landrew]

I know who Bradley Smith is. At least BBC have the rights to Moto GP, so he should be on their radar.

 

When I said who, you say..? I meant the general, not the specific. Most people won't know who Bradley Smith is. I was reasonably sure you knew who he was though, bungle.

[Pancake]

which makes him the best young rider in the World, at present, as the leader is in his mid-20s and Spanish.

 

I didn't know Spain wasn't included within the World now, shocking news.

[St Landrew]

I didn't know Spain wasn't included within the World now, shocking news.

 

Thank you for your contribution, however ignorant it may be..!

[Pancake]

Thank you for your contribution, however ignorant it may be..!

 

No worries.

[dubai_phil]

Ahhh Sports Personality of the Year, another DP blag...

 

Seriously - business partners in Pakistan were all into cricket so booked a box at Lahore for 2 one dayers in 2005. Did the whole watching the game thing.

 

Stayed at the Pearl Continental Hotel Atrium wing - one of the great hotels in the world but the only one in Lahore without ****roaches.

 

On the day of the prog was chatting with a bloke in the lobby (he took my Barmy Army Polo Shirt to get the team to sign) and he told me to be back down at something like 2am for a surprise party.

 

Went down to the lobby, sure enough got taken to one of the ballrooms and given a chair with about 30 other journos and the team and some cameras

 

And in walks Freddie to collect his prize. The ONLY downside was they wouldn't allow phones or cameras in but it WAS priceless.

 

Interestingly, the game started at 9am the next day and we were sh1t...

 

So this year?

 

Tough call. Big Dave Watson for his contribution to the forum match after he came on as a sub?

Nickh for nearly taking defeat so graciously?

Stevegrant for nearly sending out both DVD's?

Otherwise murray or Button depending on results

best youngster - if being 20 ish counts then will be Rory McIlroy

[dubai_phil]

Before I leave though I must argue this point. Tiger came from a poor background, and he was subjected racism his whole childhood because his dad was black and his mum was Asian. Every time he pitched up at a tournament, the white kids would give him grief and make up excuses to get him disqualified from the events. He then went on to dominate a very "white only" game, as a black man.

 

I think that's something other than the facts and figures which adds to his greatness.

 

Yep he buys me a beer everytime he comes down for the Desert Classic. Anyone who does that achieves greatness in my eyes

 

 

 

OK OK I'll fook off back to the main forum and stop name dropping

[skintsaint]

Obama will win...

[chrisobee]

Button if he wins the WC, motor racing drivers nearly always win if they do so. Took a guy with a stackful of Olympic gold medals to push Hamilton into 2nd last year. So Jessica Ennis with a "mere" gold medal from the World Championship is unlikely to beat him but will be in the top 3 for sure.

Cavendish is a good shout but unlikely to feature.

[chrisobee]

Although I still feel Cav should win, I have two more suggestions:

 

1) Dario Franchitti - after a year out he has returned to Indy Car and won the Championship.

 

2) Phil "The Power" Taylor. Another amazing year, but this time he has won ALL five major ranking events (not sure how many times he has done this, but quite rare), the World Championship, UK Open, Las Vegas Desert Classic, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix. An amazing year, and he has taken darts to another level. He probably won't even get mentioned by the Beeb.

 

Both worthy candidates and especially Phil Taylor who has now been winning World titles since 1990. I think ( not sure) this is his first "Gland Slam" and the first ever unless I misheard the commentators on Sky. Also has SEVEN televised nine dart finishes, sheer perfection.

[The Cat]

The shortlist has been announced:

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/8386162.stm

 

Cavendish gets my vote.

[Deppo]

David Haye gets mine.

[Smirking_Saint]

I plump for jessica ennis, she is fitter than the rest

[Saint_Jonny]

Jenson Button for me, when you think that he didnt have a job this time last year and had only won one race previously, what he has achieved this year is simply fantastic.

[bungle]

No Phil "The Power" Taylor. What an utter disgrace. A clean sweep of the major ranking titles this year, and more tournament wins this year than he has ever had before.

 

And totally ignored. A complete disgrace.

 

Cavendish should win, head and shoulders above anyone else.

[Smirking_Saint]

Phil 'the power' taylor is not a sportsman ?? Darts is not a sport it is a game, f*ck me should we have the latest school conker champ in the runnings also ??

[krissyboy31]

Any ideas on who's in the running for Young Sporting Personality?

[JackFrost]

No Phil "The Power" Taylor. What an utter disgrace. A clean sweep of the major ranking titles this year, and more tournament wins this year than he has ever had before.

 

And totally ignored. A complete disgrace.

 

Cavendish should win, head and shoulders above anyone else.

 

Totally agree, just shows what a complete joke the whole thing is.

 

The only reason he isn't nominated is cos Taylor only plays on Sky and ITV.

 

Be interesting to see if anyone can name any other 14 times world champions in another game or sport and have totally dominated it for as long as Taylor has dominated darts.

 

I believe Taylor currently holds every single major PDC tournament barring the PL darts.

[krissyboy31]

Totally agree, just shows what a complete joke the whole thing is.

 

The only reason he isn't nominated is cos Taylor only plays on Sky and ITV.

 

Be interesting to see if anyone can name any other 14 times world champions in another game or sport and have totally dominated it for as long as Taylor has dominated darts.

 

I believe Taylor currently holds every single major PDC tournament barring the PL darts.

 

Nominees are selected from Sports Journalists throughout the country, so BBC has nothing to do with determining the list.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/8386785.stm

[bungle]

Nominees are selected from Sports Journalists throughout the country, so BBC has nothing to do with determining the list.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/8386785.stm

 

I bet there's a frustrated journo on all those papers that didn't pick Taylor just questioning why. What the f*ck has Murray done this year to deserve to be in the running? I've nothing against him, he's a good tennis player and I hope he wins majors, but how has he done more this year than 'The Power'?

 

Good to see Dario Franchitti get a mention from one paper.

[Arizona]

Phil 'the power' taylor is not a sportsman ?? Darts is not a sport it is a game, f*ck me should we have the latest school conker champ in the runnings also ??

 

Agreed. You might aswell have WWE wrestling in there. Even if it were a sport, it's an obscure one watched and played by a handful of lardy blokes.

 

How a darts player could win "Sports" personality of the year over a Formula 1 World Champion or a top cyclist. Personally want Jenson Button to get it, although I am a big F1 fan, so that's probably a bit biased.

 

Button and Cavendish are both deserving IMO.

[JackFrost]

Agreed. You might aswell have WWE wrestling in there. Even if it were a sport, it's an obscure one watched and played by a handful of lardy blokes.

 

How a darts player could win "Sports" personality of the year over a Formula 1 World Champion or a top cyclist. Personally want Jenson Button to get it, although I am a big F1 fan, so that's probably a bit biased.

 

Button and Cavendish are both deserving IMO.

 

Darts is a high skill game which requires incredible accuracy and precision, a game that takes many years to master. Unlike WWE the players are genuinely competing. Comparing the two is ridiculous.

 

As for being obscure the major tournaments regularly get worldwide audiences of millions. There wouldn't be professional players (a couple of them millionaires) making a living out of the sport if it was "obscure".

 

I'd be interested to know your opinion on snooker, as a few of the players there (cough Stephen Lee) aren't exactly thin. Golf as well.

Edited 1 December, 2009 by JackFrost

[lettuce]

Darts is a high skill game which requires incredible accuracy and precision, a game that takes many years to master. Unlike WWE the players are genuinely competing. Comparing the two is ridiculous.

 

As for being obscure the major tournaments regularly get worldwide audiences of millions. There wouldn't be professional players (a couple of them millionaires) making a living out of the sport if it was "obscure".

 

I'd be interested to know your opinion on snooker, as a few of the players there (cough Stephen Lee) aren't exactly thin.

Completely agree. I'm sure there are plenty of "athletes" that attend the Olympic Games who are "rotund".

 

Didn't the GB Women's curling team receive a nomination a few years ago after winning a medal at the Winter Olympics? I seem to recall that some of that team were middle-aged ladies... possibly not as physically fit as some female darts players (Trina Gulliver, Anastasia Dobromyslova, Francis Hoenselaar...)

 

If Britain produced a 14-times Archery World Champion, would/should they be lauded any more than Phil Taylor?

[The Cat]

To me darts is as much of a sport as F1, and dare I say it a whole lot more entertaining. Button's achievement appears to stem from the fact he was lucky enough to be sat in the best car on the grid for half a season because someone else invented something that gave him a huge great hulking advantage.

 

Cavendish deserves to win as he's the best sportsman or woman in the country by a big distance. He's also the most successful. He won 22 races this season and is without doubt the best sprinter on the planet. Almost untouchable. And he's 24. That's insane. In all probability he'll go on to win more races/stages than any cyclist in modern history.

 

I also think Bradley Wiggins should be nominated. Jeez, there's a triple jumper in there. How many people triple jump around the globe compared to cycle as either pro's or serious amateurs?

[The Saturday Boy]

No Phil "The Power" Taylor. What an utter disgrace. A clean sweep of the major ranking titles this year, and more tournament wins this year than he has ever had before.

 

And totally ignored. A complete disgrace.

 

Cavendish should win, head and shoulders above anyone else.

 

I completely agree. I wouldn't expect Taylor to win SPOTY in a million years but was quietly confident that he would at least make the shortlist.

 

I would vote for Cavendish as well but with it being an open vote, I wouldn't be surprised if Ryan Giggs won it or came very close to winning it.

[Hatch]

Did Bolt win overseas Personality last year? I guess he must have..

 

Is he allowed to win twice?

[Arizona]

Darts is a high skill game which requires incredible accuracy and precision, a game that takes many years to master. Unlike WWE the players are genuinely competing. Comparing the two is ridiculous.

 

As for being obscure the major tournaments regularly get worldwide audiences of millions. There wouldn't be professional players (a couple of them millionaires) making a living out of the sport if it was "obscure".

 

I'd be interested to know your opinion on snooker, as a few of the players there (cough Stephen Lee) aren't exactly thin. Golf as well.

 

I don't know what exactly defines a sports. Does it have to involve some kind of physical exertion or movement? If it's just about competing then scrabble is a sport. Maybe it does take lots of skill and years to master, but then you could say that about Subbuteo. That's hardly a sport.

 

I'd have said snooker was a sport, but darts not. I don't know where you'd draw the line between "sports" and "game" but it's somewhere between the two IMO.

 

I'm not sure how wide spread the audience is, but I though most players were from Stoke or Colchester.

[Smirking_Saint]

I don't know what exactly defines a sports. Does it have to involve some kind of physical exertion or movement? If it's just about competing then scrabble is a sport. Maybe it does take lots of skill and years to master, but then you could say that about Subbuteo. That's hardly a sport.

 

I'd have said snooker was a sport, but darts not. I don't know where you'd draw the line between "sports" and "game" but it's somewhere between the two IMO.

 

I'm not sure how wide spread the audience is, but I though most players were from Stoke or Colchester.

 

I dunno, in a way i would still say snooker is more of a game, but then i don't know, the line between games and sports are kind of fuzzy.

 

I would say that a sport needs to have some sort of physical exertion. In that respect then yes a proper game of golf is a sport as it requires said physical needs.

 

That is why in golf you find your handicap begins to rise again as you get older etc. As far as darts, it does not matter how fat or old you are, you will still be able to throw a dart.

[JackFrost]

I don't know what exactly defines a sports. Does it have to involve some kind of physical exertion or movement? If it's just about competing then scrabble is a sport. Maybe it does take lots of skill and years to master, but then you could say that about Subbuteo. That's hardly a sport.

 

I'd have said snooker was a sport, but darts not. I don't know where you'd draw the line between "sports" and "game" but it's somewhere between the two IMO.

 

I'm not sure how wide spread the audience is, but I though most players were from Stoke or Colchester.

 

A sport IMO is a game that requires one or more immense skill/speed/stamina/accuracy/concentration where the best players of the particular sports earn a living out of it. (That's off the top of my head)

 

It baffles me as to how some people don't regard darts as a sport but regard snooker as a sport. You don't have to be physically fit to play them, their both in essence target sports and they both require huge concentration, accuracy and skill. Snooker and darts specifically, I don't get that 'difference' that marks one as a sport and not the other.

 

The reason that people harp on about Taylor is because it is very arguable that he is better at darts than Federer is at tennis, that Fangio or Schumacher were at driving, than Woods is at golf etc.etc.

 

Since 06 in major tournaments he's played 403 matches, won 359, drawn 12 and lost 32. That's a winning percentage of 89% in 3 years. Even scarier is in 2009 he's played 205, won 190, drawn 4 and lost 11. Winning percentage of 93%.

 

I haven't heard of anyone (although Sir Don Bradman is in with a shout) that has dominated a sport or game like Taylor has, and for the length of time Taylor has. He has been several classes above his nearest rivals (who themselves are beaten by very few players) for well over a decade. The bloke has won over 130 major tournaments which is over twice as many as anyone else in the history of the game, 14x World Champion, he currently holds every major title barring one, when you look at his stats it's incredible.

Edited 1 December, 2009 by JackFrost

[bridge too far]

I would vote for Jessica Ennis (because I think it's awesome to adapt to a serious injury by changing her takeoff foot for the jumping events) but I also think Beth Tweddle deserves to be in serious contention too.

 

That girl has done more singlehandedly to raise the profile of Gymnastics in this country to the extent that we are serious contenders for more world medals in addition to the ones that she and her fellow gymnasts have already won.

[Ponty]

I hope they give it to Jenson, just to p*ss off Lewis. lol

[Arizona]

A sport IMO is a game that requires one or more immense skill/speed/stamina/accuracy/concentration where the best players of the particular sports earn a living out of it. (That's off the top of my head)

 

It baffles me as to how some people don't regard darts as a sport but regard snooker as a sport. You don't have to be physically fit to play them, their both in essence target sports and they both require huge concentration, accuracy and skill. Snooker and darts specifically, I don't get that 'difference' that marks one as a sport and not the other.

 

Immense skill - ice sculpting

Speed - downing a pint of lager

Stamina - farming in Eastern Europe.

concentration - bomb disposal.

 

I'm not being pedantic, but none of these are sports and you can make a living out of three of them. I'm not sure how you would define sport exactly, but I just wouldn't class darts as a sport.

[bungle]

'The Power' deserves this 20 times more than Jenson "They put me in the fastest car" Button. It should be almost impossible for an F1 driver to win this unless it's clear they are in a mid-grid car and somehow win the title.

 

Taylor, on the other hand, practices for hours a day, totally dominates his sport (and isn't given the best darts....lol) and is hitting higher and higher 3-dart averages by the tournament. Regularly over 105 now.

[lettuce]

I'm not sure how you would define sport exactly, but I just wouldn't class darts as a sport.

 

Would you class archery as a sport?... that's archery, an event at the Olympic Games, which involves individual participants propelling an arrow towards a circular target some distance away, where greater accuracy than your opponent increases your chances of victory?

[JackFrost]

Immense skill - ice sculpting

Speed - downing a pint of lager

Stamina - farming in Eastern Europe.

concentration - bomb disposal.

 

I'm not being pedantic, but none of these are sports and you can make a living out of three of them. I'm not sure how you would define sport exactly, but I just wouldn't class darts as a sport.

 

So you define those activities as "games"? (as per my post you quoted)

 

Besides when it comes to SPOTY I think the "are some games e.g darts sports" is irrelevant. You cannot ignore all of Phil Taylor's achievements just because some people doesn't think darts is TECHNICALLY a sport. Like I said, how people can claim darts isn't a sport and then say snooker is I find astonishing. Regardless of whether you think darts is strictly speaking a sport or not, that doesn't make Phil Taylor's achievements any less special. Zara Philips won it a few years ago, would describe riding on a horse a "sport"? I suppose it's a question on how far you go, if they awarded it one year to a world tiddlywinks champion then I would agree they'd gone too far. But IMO darts is as much of a sport as snooker is and I'm baffled as to how people can say one isn't and one is.

 

I suppose one differential can be how possible it is to devote your life to a "game" and ultimately make a professional living out of it. Could you devote all your life to tiddlywinks and become rich?

Edited 2 December, 2009 by JackFrost

[Arizona]

'The Power' deserves this 20 times more than Jenson "They put me in the fastest car" Button. It should be almost impossible for an F1 driver to win this unless it's clear they are in a mid-grid car and somehow win the title.

 

Taylor, on the other hand, practices for hours a day, totally dominates his sport (and isn't given the best darts....lol) and is hitting higher and higher 3-dart averages by the tournament. Regularly over 105 now.

 

That would be Button driving the Brawn which wasn't th fastest for 2/3 of the season and in which he won 6 out of the 7 races when it WAS te fastest. He didn't make a serious mistake all season and would have been in the points in every race if a rookie hadn't rammed into him at Spa.

 

The F1 world champ has been in one of the top 2 cars for as long as I can remember. It's always been a large part of their success. Button beat Barricheloo (who is an f'in good driver) by 18 points, which is no mean feat.

 

As for Taylor having to work for HOURS a day. Wow, what a hero. I suppose you think F1 drivers just sit in the Jacuzzi until 10 minutes before the race starts.

 

Button is a World Champion at the top level of a sport contested around the world at various levels from go-karting right the way up to F1. Taylor is the "World" champion at a sport which is basically 'Britain and that Dutch bloke'. The fact that you feel this is a greater achievement just shows how blinkered and set in your ways you really are.

 

Would you class archery as a sport?... that's archery, an event at the Olympic Games, which involves individual participants propelling an arrow towards a circular target some distance away, where greater accuracy than your opponent increases your chances of victory?

 

Archery is a sport, hence it is an event during the olympics. Darts has never been competed at the olympics.

 

 

So you define those activities as "games"? (as per my post you quoted)

 

Besides when it comes to SPOTY I think the "are some games e.g darts sports" is irrelevant. You cannot ignore all of Phil Taylor's achievements just because some people doesn't think darts is TECHNICALLY a sport. Like I said, how people can claim darts isn't a sport and then say snooker is I find astonishing. Regardless of whether you think darts is strictly speaking a sport or not, that doesn't make Phil Taylor's achievements any less special. Zara Philips won it a few years ago, would describe riding on a horse a "sport"? I suppose it's a question on how far you go, if they awarded it one year to a world tiddlywinks champion then I would agree they'd gone too far. But IMO darts is as much of a sport as snooker is and I'm baffled as to how people can say one isn't and one is.

 

I suppose one differential can be how possible it is to devote your life to a "game" and ultimately make a professional living out of it. Could you devote all your life to tiddlywinks and become rich?

 

I'm not saying Taylor is not a fantastic darts player. I'm saying when it comes to SPORTS personality of the year, he shouldn't be nominated.

 

If you were to class darts of a sport and Taylor won SPOTY, I think it would be a sad day for Britain. Our best "athlete" is a lardy bloke from Staffordshire who throws small darts at a cork board in a game the rest of the world couldn't give two sh*ts about

 

Just look at the Darts World Champs, from abroad, over time. A Dutchman, a Canadian, an Aussie and that's it. Two of those are former British colonies.

 

Compared to F1. The very top level of motorsport in the world. We've had drivers from all over Europe, South America, North America, South Africa, Oceana and Asia. Only Asia and Antarctica have yet to produce a world Champion and only Africa and Antarctica do not hold a race (Africa used to).

[bungle]

Archery is a sport, hence it is an event during the olympics. Darts has never been competed at the olympics.

 

The most moronic of moronic posts.

 

Golf isn't currently in the olympics (it will be) - is golf not a sport? Rugby the same. Is rugby not currently a sport? Cricket isn't in the olympics - guess it isn't a sport. Baseball was in the olympics, but now isn't. Has it ceased to be a sport. Squash isn't in the olympics. I guess squash isn't a sport. Pistol shooting is in the olympics. So it must be a sport. But squash, rugby and cricket aren't.

 

In case you hadn't noticed (which you haven't), the IOC select the sports they want in the games. Darts has been up for consideration on a couple of occasions. I would hazard a guess that more countries in the world play darts than play rugby union.

[bungle]

If you were to class darts of a sport and Taylor won SPOTY, I think it would be a sad day for Britain. Our best "athlete" is a lardy bloke from Staffordshire who throws small darts at a cork board in a game the rest of the world couldn't give two sh*ts about

 

It will be a great day for Britain when a sports star who has excelled in a non-majority sport gets the recognition he or she deserves. In this instance, it should be a clear victory for Mark Cavendish, closely followed by Phil Taylor. With Button nowhere to be seen.

[JackFrost]

That would be Button driving the Brawn which wasn't th fastest for 2/3 of the season and in which he won 6 out of the 7 races when it WAS te fastest. He didn't make a serious mistake all season and would have been in the points in every race if a rookie hadn't rammed into him at Spa.

 

The F1 world champ has been in one of the top 2 cars for as long as I can remember. It's always been a large part of their success. Button beat Barricheloo (who is an f'in good driver) by 18 points, which is no mean feat.

 

As for Taylor having to work for HOURS a day. Wow, what a hero. I suppose you think F1 drivers just sit in the Jacuzzi until 10 minutes before the race starts.

 

Button is a World Champion at the top level of a sport contested around the world at various levels from go-karting right the way up to F1. Taylor is the "World" champion at a sport which is basically 'Britain and that Dutch bloke'. The fact that you feel this is a greater achievement just shows how blinkered and set in your ways you really are.

 

 

 

Archery is a sport, hence it is an event during the olympics. Darts has never been competed at the olympics.

 

 

 

 

I'm not saying Taylor is not a fantastic darts player. I'm saying when it comes to SPORTS personality of the year, he shouldn't be nominated.

 

If you were to class darts of a sport and Taylor won SPOTY, I think it would be a sad day for Britain. Our best "athlete" is a lardy bloke from Staffordshire who throws small darts at a cork board in a game the rest of the world couldn't give two sh*ts about

 

Just look at the Darts World Champs, from abroad, over time. A Dutchman, a Canadian, an Aussie and that's it. Two of those are former British colonies.

 

Compared to F1. The very top level of motorsport in the world. We've had drivers from all over Europe, South America, North America, South Africa, Oceana and Asia. Only Asia and Antarctica have yet to produce a world Champion and only Africa and Antarctica do not hold a race (Africa used to).

 

But as soon as a fat person picks up a bow and arrow archery is no longer a sport? Sorry I am baffled. Archery and darts are nearly the same in their concept except one involves a bow and arrow and the other one doesn't. How on earth can you call one a sport and not the other????

 

FYI There are players representing 25 countries at the upcoming PDC World championships with players coming from Europe, North America, and wait for it Africa, Oceania and Asia. That's more nations represented than there were at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

 

Now rugby is completely dominated by western european and oceanian nations. Would you call rugby a sport?

[Arizona]

Call it what you want, I still think it's just a game which nobody outside the UK is really interested in. Even in Britain the biggest matches are are played in crowds lower than you typical Conference League football team.

 

Maybe there are several criteria which could define a sport. If the accuracy is a requirement then Jenga is a sport. If it's just about two people competing then Chess is a sport. If it's just about having a "World Championship" then tiddywinks is probably a sport too.

 

We clearly will never agree on this. I'm out.

[bungle]

Call it what you want, I still think it's just a game which nobody outside the UK is really interested in. Even in Britain the biggest matches are are played in crowds lower than you typical Conference League football team.

 

If ever anyone was trying to make themselves look like an ignorant fool, then this is it?

 

Huge attendances for Premier League Darts last year, but more importantly why is a sport judged by attendance? This has to be the most moronic point of them all (still, Arizona is a moron). Big crowds for pistol shooting down here last week...oh, wait.

 

And I tell you what, I saw 50,000 at the British Judo Championships. Sorry, I was having a dream.

 

What an idiot Arizona truly is.

[JackFrost]

Call it what you want, I still think it's just a game which nobody outside the UK is really interested in. Even in Britain the biggest matches are are played in crowds lower than you typical Conference League football team.

 

Maybe there are several criteria which could define a sport. If the accuracy is a requirement then Jenga is a sport. If it's just about two people competing then Chess is a sport. If it's just about having a "World Championship" then tiddywinks is probably a sport too.

 

We clearly will never agree on this. I'm out.

 

Sorry but that has just illustrated how clueless you are.

 

Attendances in the conference are usually in the hundreds, they barely get above 1500. The only anomaly recently was when 6600 odd people watched Luton play Kettering. (And that might have had something to do with Kettering's cup run)

 

8000 people attended a Premier League night in Liverpool last year