GRANDKID HAS ME ON TO WINNER
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD has promised he will never lose on his grandson Mason’s birthday – which is bad news for Alan Norris.
Inspired by the arrival of his first grandchild 12 months ago, Barney enjoyed a brilliant run to the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace, including a stunning win against fellow Dutchman Michael van Gerwen in their epic third round clogs of war clash.
Tomorrow, Van Barneveld – who bears the name Mason on one side of his collar and five stars to denote each of his world titles on the other – faces Norris in the second round at the William Hill PDC championship.
And along with 16-times champion Phil Taylor and the in-form Darren Webster, Barney is on the march in Grandad’s Army.
He said: “Mason’s first birthday is on December 27 and the little kid is giving me so much energy.
“When he was born last year, he inspired me during the rest of the tournament and you could see the emotions because during the actual games I kept saying, ‘Come on, Mason’.
“I really believed I could win another world title after coming through some incredibly tough matches against Michael, Stephen Bunting and Michael Smith but I ran out of gas in the semi-final.
“It is not easy when your youngest daughter gives birth to your first grandson and you only see him on Facetime – he was back in Holland and I was over here playing darts – but the little fella gives me so much joy.
“He is my inspiration. He gives me the strength to fight. I have already promised I’ll never lose on December 27 – his birthday.”
Barney is now competing at his 25th world championship and Norris will be his 94th match at this level.
But 10 years since his dramatic sudden-death win against Taylor at the Circus Tavern brought him the last of his world titles, the former Hague postman isn’t finished yet.
He added: “Wow, 25 years is a long time but I am still here, and still capable of lifting major trophies.”