Darts world champion visits Angus academy

Glen Durrant takes on local players ahead of youth event

Two-time Lakeside champion Glen Durrant kept his promise to Angus Darts Academy youngsters last night.

Durrant – who is a friend of Arbroath darts player Alan ‘Soots’ Soutar – made a pledge live on Channel 4 when he won his second title back in January that he would bring the trophy to Arbroath.

The world champion made good his vow and kicked off a busy weekend for Angus Darts Academy which is welcoming young players from Italy who are on a fact-finding mission to the Café Project on Brothock Bridge.

Durrant played around 20 junior and senior players last night who were also given a chance to get a picture with the two-time champion and the famous Lakeside trophy.

Scotland international darts player Soots – who runs the Angus Darts Academy – said: “Glen promised live on Channel 4 after he won the world title at Lakeside that he would bring the trophy to Arbroath to share with our youngsters.

“We struck up a friendship playing darts and he totally supports youth darts and everything I have done up here in Angus and Scotland for youth darts.”

The Café Project will host the Angus Youth Masters today which will include an international challenge match between Scotland and Italy.

Tomorrow, the Angus Youth Singles event will take place to bring the curtain down on a full weekend of darts and friendship in Arbroath.

Soots said he was proud that what is going on in Angus is now being replicated in Italy.

He said: “The friendship with Italy was created from playing for Scotland at Europe and World Cups over the last few years.

“They wanted to come and experience darts in the UK and say our Angus Darts Academy is the top academy in Britain, so it’s the best place to come.”