A rowdy Premier League Darts crowd in Glasgow once threw coins and terrorized two-time PDC world champion Adrian Lewis.
Firm home favourite Gary Anderson is beloved when the elite throwers head to his homeland, and it was no different 14 years ago when reigning world champion Lewis stepped on stage to face him three months after defeating him in a world final. Darting crowds have faced criticism before, but the March 2011 incident sparked outrage.
Spectators were seen hurling coins and pints of lager at Lewis in an attempt to distract him, with the 40-year-old star describing the experience as “awful.” Reflecting on the unacceptable behaviour, Lewis has spoken out, acknowledging that the PDC learned valuable lessons from the chaos.
“I think obviously I’d beat Gary in the world final, hadn’t I? ” Lewis told the Mirror at the launch of Modus Super Series on Pluto TV. “And then this was like a few months later after that. Playing against Gary in Scotland was never an easy task. I think also playing as the last game on in the evening didn’t really help matters. The PDC learnt a lot from that game.
“Also, Glasgow Rangers had lost to PSV I think as well. So that obviously gave them time for their fans from there to come over. So yes, it didn’t go too well at the end. There were a few coins throwing. The thing was, I mean, them coins could have gone anywhere.
“Gary was on the stage next to me. We could both hear them all thudding against the stage. Yes, it wasn’t the best experience, let’s put it that way.”
While Lewis managed an 8-3 win over Anderson, it was the latter who would revel in ultimate glory, exacting revenge for his Ally Pally defeat by triumphing over Lewis with a score of 10-4 in the Premier League final later that year, clinching his first major trophy.
Despite making it to the 2011 final, Lewis expressed that taking part in such tournaments can be challenging, especially with an already crammed schedule for top players.
“It’s a bit more difficult than most things,” Lewis shared about competing in the Premier League. “Because you’re away five or six days a week, having to be there on a Wednesday and then Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday you’re playing.
“That was probably the most difficult part of it really, because it’s nearly like five whole days, isn’t it? Out of your life, basically. So that’s a difficult period for any player. Certainly now, obviously, now the tournaments are coming thick and fast, aren’t they?”
Interestingly, Lewis wasn’t completely critical of Premier League crowds but did suggest that those who pack in to watch the competition are far from his favourite within the sport.
“I enjoyed the crowds and that,” Lewis admitted. “Would it have been my favourite crowds? No. I’d say the Matchplay was my favourite. Proper darts fans.”
Starting this year, the MODUS Super Series Darts debuted exclusively on Pluto TV. The new channel “MODUS Super Series Darts” features around the clock darts programming, including Super Series Tournaments, 104 Live Matches every week, in-depth features and documentaries that explore the journeys and stories of darts personalities, and more. The channel promises to be the ultimate destination for darts enthusiasts and newcomers alike, celebrating the sport in all its glory.