FALLON’S GOT SPECS APPEAL Sherrock sets her sights on glory
PINK princess Fallon Sherrock will relish a different kind of Saturday night crunch when faces Mensur Suljovic.
The hairdresser from Bletchley would normally spend her weekend evenings before Christmas on the sofa watching TV and eating crisps.
But tonight Sherrock, who became the first woman to beat a man at the world championship with her stunning fightback against Ted Evetts, has another chance to become a legend in her own munchtime.
If you thought Sherrock’s win against Super Ted was seismic, beating Austria’s world No.11 Suljovic would blow the roof off Ally Pally.
If she makes it to the third round of the William Hill PDC world championship, the minimum £25,000 prize money would be worth twice as much as the BDO ladies’ world champion’s prize.
When Sherrock, 25, puts on her black-rimmed specs, she might look more like a secretary. But the shades hide a steely resolve.
She said: “On the Saturday night before Christmas, I would normally be at home waching telly and eating crisps.
“I know my life is going to be different now – next time I go to the supermarket, I will definitely make sure I have my make-up on.
“I’ve never met Mensur before, but he has a reputation as one of the nicest guys on the circuit.
“Once I get up on stage, I will have to forget who I am playing and focus on the game.
“When the specs go on, the shades come down. It’s like Superman – I just change, all I do is focus on the board.
“But it will be different when I arrive on Saturday night. Last time, it was all new, but this time everyone will know who I am. I probably won’t be able to sit and watch as just another face in the crowd.”
Sherrock’s girl-next-door life, as the mother of five-year-old Rory, has changed beyond recognition.
The PDC have already invited her to play at the US Darts Masters in New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden next June.
“We live in a big world, and Fallon’s victory has become headline news, not just sports news,” said Barry Hearn, the PDC chairman.
“The first woman to do something is always special because it’s a breakthrough moment, and you couldn’t write the drama she scripted. I think it’s a game-changing moment.”