BOO ARE YA!
Mardle says the Price is right as Welsh dragon is backed to silence the hecklers
WAYNE MARDLE has branded darts fans who boo Gerwyn Price “idiots” ahead of the Welshman’s latest crack at the Premier League.
While 2023 was far from a vintage year for The Iceman – he was a wildcard selection after ending the year outside the top four – he remains one of the most compelling characters on the circuit. His relationship with fans is mixed to say the least.
The abuse he copped at the 2023 World Championship led to his infamous ear-defenders stunt in his quarter-final defeat to Gabriel Clemens. He then threatened never again to play at Alexandra Palace and has even called for the tournament to be moved away from the historic north London venue.
Even on the eve of the 2024 tournament, he said he was on the verge of withdrawing amid concerns over the reception he would receive from the Ally Pally hordes. In the end, his World Championship stay was brief as he crashed out to Brendan Dolan in the third round.
However, after topping the league phase last year, only to lose to Michael van Gerwen in the final, Price is a strong contender for the Premier League crown and is at least assured an easy ride on opening night tomorrow as he is on home soil in Cardiff.
Sky Sports pundit and former Premier League player Mardle just hopes Price gets a fair crack of the whip from the fans who will pack out venues across the UK and Europe for the remainder of the campaign.
“This started in 2018 [when
Price and Gary Anderson clashed on stage at the Grand Slam] when they [fans] picked their man, which was Gary Anderson,” Mardle said.
“From then, it’s just grown legs. Unfortunately from then, Gerwyn Price has not helped himself by wearing headphones, earmuffs, whatever they were. He knocked himself back a couple of years there.
“But in the Premier League last year, he ingratiated himself by wearing the colours of that country or region. That was a great idea, I liked that.
“What annoys me from his point of view is that Gerwyn is a really nice guy. I don’t think the viewer knows how nice he is.
“The paying spectator just boos him because the idiot next to them does. Most of us are sheep, they hear someone booing and think they should join them. Those that boo have got to stop. Once they stop, he’ll be cheered.”