The Indoor League

Summary

The Indoor League was a pub games competition series that was produced by Yorkshire Television and aired from 1973 until 1977. The programme was hosted by former England cricketer Fred Trueman (1931–2006).

Statue of Trueman in Skipton by Graham Ibbeson

Background edit

The first series of The Indoor League began transmission, by ITV, on 5 April 1973 at 1 pm and ran for the following six weeks. The TV Times magazine dated 31 March 1973 contains a one-and-a-half-page editorial on it, featuring noted darts player Tom Barrett. Most of the competitions were filmed the year before transmission. From series 2 onwards, The Indoor League made its various competitions open to international competitors, and they played for the Indoor League World Championships.

Presenter Fred Trueman often wore a cardigan and smoked a pipe throughout his links. He always ended the show with the Yorkshire dialect phrase, "ah'll see thee". The programme's theme tune was Waiting For You by André Brasseur.[1]

The show featured many indoor games, the majority of which were pub games, each of which had a prize of £100 for the competition winners. The sports included darts, pool, bar billiards, bar skittles, table football (a.k.a. foosball), arm wrestling and shove ha'penny amongst others. Among the commentators were Dave Lanning and Keith Macklin. The programme was broadcast from The Leeds Irish Centre, which was later recognised as the 'birthplace of television darts'[2]

The Indoor League was created by Sid Waddell,[3] who also produced the series from 1972 to 1976. Darts coverage on television was in its infancy, with the News of the World Darts Championship having just begun to be broadcast on ITV in 1972. Waddell would later go on to become one of the voices of darts on television when the World Championship was created in 1978.

In the first series, all darts matches were played on a Northern England "doubles dartboard" that does not have any treble scoring segments. The competition was restricted to players from within the Yorkshire Television region but, due to the programme's success, from the second series onwards the men's and women's darts competitions were open to all players from around the globe, and they played for the Indoor League World Darts Championships. In the final series there was also an international mixed darts tournament. The winner of the first competition received £100, with the runner-up getting £50. From the 1974 Season onwards, the winner of the men's darts tournament qualified for the BDO World Masters the following year.[citation needed]

The first two series were released on DVD by Network Publishing but are now out of print. All available episodes were repeated by now defunct UK digital channel FrontRunner TV.

Series air dates edit

Series Tournament year From To Episodes
1 1972 5 April 1973 10 May 1973 6
2 1973 27 September 1973 11 April 1974 13
3 1974 8 January 1975 2 April 1975 12
4 1975 1 January 1976 25 March 1976 15
5 1976 7 Feb 1977 (regions)
10 Feb 1977 (Yorkshire TV)
2 May 1977 (regions)
5 May 1977 (Yorkshire TV)
13
6 1977 9 January 1978 7 April 1978 13

According to the ITV listing magazine TV Times, programmes were shown by the different ITV regions on different days of the week and at different times across their schedules. Some ITV regions showed an episode of the programme one or more weeks later than other ITV regions. The details above are taken from TV Times.

Tournament winners edit

The Indoor League Men's Darts Championships edit

The Indoor League Ladies' Darts Championships edit

  • 1973   Loveday King beat   Jessie Catterick 2–0
  • 1974   Greta Hallgren beat   Millie Bergeson 2–1
  • 1975   Jean Dickinson beat   Brenda Simpson 2–1 (Championship of Champions)
  • 1976   Jean Dickinson beat   Margaret Lally 2–0 (Indoor League World Championship)
  • 1977   Sandra Gibb vs   Margaret Lally (Indoor League World Championship)

The Indoor League Mixed Pairs' Darts World Championship edit

  • 1977   Ken Brown &   Sandra Gibb beat   Kevin White &   Lynn Stewart (Indoor League World Championship)

Indoor League Bar Billiards Championships edit

  • 1972   "Taffy" John 2,820–1,450   Malcolm Rider
  • 1973   John Baker 2,400–1,440   Peter Wells
  • 1974   John Peters 4,200–3,050   John Baker
  • 1975   Roy Buckle 900–?   Alan Sales
  • 1976   Stan Pratt beat   Gerry Lambert
  • 1977 Not held

After the second series, The Indoor League Bar Billiards added the unusual rule of a 45-second maximum break limit. This was to allow full games to be shown during the 18-minute TV as breaks in bar billiards can go on for long periods of time.

Indoor League Arm Wrestling Championships edit

  • 1972 Not held
  • 1973   Donald "Buster" Witney beat   "King" Ben Boothman 1–0

(Ben Boothman went on to have a successful wrestling career as King Ben with ITV's World of Sport Wrestling)[4]

  • 1974   Clive Myers beat   Tony Lees 2–1
  • 1975 Right-handed –   Tony Fitton beat   Tony Lees

(Tony Fitton left the UK shortly after this season to work in the USA. He was exposed in a Sports Illustrated exclusive in 2008 as being the so-called "Godfather of Steroids", contributing to the major steroid problem in American Sports during the 80s and 90s) [5]

  • 1975 Left-handed –   Bill Richardson beat   Paul Jordan

(Bill only entered the left handed competition because all the spots in the right handed competition was taken. He later won Universe Championships Mr Universe in 1980)

  • 1976 Under 200 lb –   Clive Myers beat   Joe Graham 2–0
  • 1976 Left-handed –   Mike Winch beat   Alan Jackson
  • 1976 Super heavyweight –   Bill Richardson beat   Donald "Buster" Witney 2–0
  • 1977 Under 200 lb –   Clive Myers vs ?
  • 1977 Left-handed –   Mike Winch vs ?
  • 1977 Super Heavyweight –   Bill Richardson vs ?

Indoor League American Pool Championships edit

Indoor League Table Skittles Championships edit

  • 1972   Philip Senior beat   Dennis Jones
  • 1973   John Chell beat   William Woolwich
  • 1974–1977 Not held

Indoor League Table Football Championships edit

  • 1972 John Kropacz & Frank Bowett 6–0 Eric Crane & Stephen Kelly
  • 1973 Speedy Campbell & Bervis Harris 6–3 John Kropacz & Frank Bowett
  • 1974 Nelly Nelson & John McKrith 6–5 John Kropacz & Frank Bowett
  • 1975–1977 Not held

Indoor League Shove Ha'Penny Championships edit

  • 1972 Alan Brown beat Barry Stones
  • 1973 Bryn Turner beat Alan Brown
  • 1974–1977 Not held

1972 Indoor League Men's Darts Results edit

1st round
Best of 3 legs
Quarter-finals
Best of 3 legs
Semi-finals
Best of 3 legs
Final
Best of 3 legs
            
  Ballam Bolton on Dearne 2
  Sykes Huddersfield
  Ballam Bolton on Dearne
  Colin Minton Easingwold 2
  England Barnsley
  Colin Minton Easingwold 2
  Colin Minton Easingwold 2
  Gerry Haywood Dewsbury 1
  Twigg Sheffield
  Gerry Haywood Dewsbury 2
  Gerry Haywood Dewsbury 2
  Graham Elvidge Scarborough
  Dodds Conisbrough
  Graham Elvidge Scarborough 2
  Colin Minton Easingwold 2
  Charles Ellis Bradford 0
  John Walker Hull 2
  Hornby Upton, Lincs
  John Walker Hull 2
  Keith Naylor Scunthorpe 1
  Bob Crosland Knottingley 1
  Keith Naylor Scunthorpe 2
  John Walker Hull 0
  Charles Ellis Bradford 2
  McDonald Wombwell
  Les Mills Hull 2
  Les Mills Hull 1
  Charles Ellis Bradford 2
  Reid Hull
  Charles Ellis Bradford 2

All matches were played on a Northern England dartboard that does not have any treble scoring segments. The 1972 darts tournament was limited to players within the Yorkshire TV region. The winner received £100 and the runner up £50. There was no women's darts tournament in 1972. Only the final, two semi-finals and two of the quarter-finals were transmitted during the 1972 series of six episodes.[citation needed]

1973 Indoor League Men's Darts Results edit

1st round
Best of 3 legs
Quarter-finals
Best of 3 legs
Semi-finals
Best of 3 legs
Final
Best of 3 legs
            
1   Tommy O'Regan 2
  Cliff Inglis
  Tommy O'Regan 2
  Frank Crolla 0
  Frank Crolla 2
  Ivor Hodgkinson 1
  Tommy O'Regan (76.85) 2
  Des Stabb (56.00) 0
  Des Stabb 2
  Willie Etherington 1
  Des Stabb 2
  Ron Church 1
  Ron Church 2
  Charlie Ellis 1
  Tommy O'Regan (79.11) [7]2
  Alan Evans (69.15) 0
  Tony Ridler 2
  Harry Heenan
  Tony Ridler 2
  Colin Minton 1
  Colin Minton 2
  George Foster 0
  Tony Ridler (86.49) 1
  Alan Evans (91.88) [6]2
  Bob Whyte 2
  John Kelly 1
  Bob Whyte 0
  Alan Evans 2
  Gerry Haywood
  Alan Evans 2

Alan Evans, in his semi-final match against Tony Ridler became the first ever male player to score a 180 on Television. In the same game, Ridler also scored a 180 in the second leg.

The current News of the World Darts Championship winner Ivor Hodgkinson entered the tournament but was beaten in the first round by Frank Crolla.

The tournament featured several internationally capped darts players. Winner O'Regan played for both England and Ireland before becoming captain of Ireland. Willie Etherington, Ron Church and Des Stabb represented England, Bob Whyte represented Scotland,Alan Evans and Tony Ridler played for Wales and George Foster & John Kelly represented Australia.

1974 Indoor League Men's Darts Championship Results edit

1st round
Best of 3 legs
Quarter-finals
Best of 3 legs
Semi-finals
Best of 3 legs
Final
Best of 3 legs
            
  Des Stabb 0
  Leighton Rees 2
  Leighton Rees 2
  Tom Brown 0
  Tom Brown 2
  Alan Glazier 1
  Leighton Rees 2
  Ivor Hodgkinson 0
  Stefan Lord 2
  Pat Mullings 0
  Stefan Lord 0
  Ivor Hodgkinson 2
  John Craine 1
  Ivor Hodgkinson 2
  Leighton Rees 2
  Alan Evans 1
  Joe Matthews 0
  Willie Etherington 2
  Willie Etherington (67.97) 1
  Alan Evans (67.52) 2
  Frank Brown 1
  Alan Evans 2
  Alan Evans 2
  Tommy O'Regan 1
  Peter Chapman 2
  Steve Rollings 0
  Peter Chapman 0
  Tommy O'Regan 2
  Tommy O'Regan 2
  Doug Priestner 1

Doug Priestner, hit a 180 with his first three darts in the competition.

1975 Indoor League Men's Darts Championship Results edit

1st round
Best of 3 legs
Quarter-finals
Best of 3 legs
Semi-finals
Best of 5 legs
Final
Best of 5 legs
            
  Conrad Daniels 2
  Tony Ridler
  Conrad Daniels 2
  Peter Hobson
  Peter Hobson 2
  Doug Priestner
  Conrad Daniels 3
  Phil Obbard
  Leighton Rees 2
  Dave 'Charlie' White
  Leighton Rees
  Phil Obbard 2
  Phil Obbard 2
  George Foster
  Conrad Daniels 3
  Cliff Inglis
  Cliff Inglis 2
  Willie Etherington
  Cliff Inglis 2
  Harry Heenan
  Harry Heenan 2
  Andre DeClerqe
  Cliff Inglis 3
  Alan Glazier
  Alan Evans
  Alan Glazier 2
  Alan Glazier 2
  Peter Chapman
  Tommy O'Regan
  Peter Chapman 2

For the second year running Doug Priestner, hit a 180 with his first three darts in the competition. Cliff Inglis, hit back-to-back 180s in one of his matches.

1976 Indoor League Men's Darts World Championship Results edit

1st round
Best of 3 legs
Quarter-finals
Best of 3 legs
Semi-finals
Best of 5 legs
Final
Best of 5 legs
            
  Charlie Ellix 2
  Willie Scott 0
  Charlie Ellix 2
  John Lowe 1
  John Lowe 2
  Peter Chapman 1
  Charlie Ellix 3
  Eric Bristow 2
  Stefan Lord 2
  Ken Brown 1
  Stefan Lord 1
  Eric Bristow 2
  Eric Bristow 2
  Alan Glazier 1
  Charlie Ellix 0
  Leighton Rees 3
  Leighton Rees 2
  Phil Obbard 0
  Leighton Rees 2
  Cliff Lazarenko 0
  Cliff Lazarenko 2
  Brian Vaux 0
  Leighton Rees 3
  Conrad Daniels 2
  Conrad Daniels 2
  John Stanton 0
  Conrad Daniels 2
  Cyril Hayes
  Bill Lennard 1
  Cyril Hayes 2

In the 1976 Indoor League men's darts World Championship players were redrawn after each round. And the draw above reflects this.

1976 Indoor League Ladies Darts World Championship Results edit

1st round
Best of 3 legs
Quarter-finals
Best of 3 legs
Semi-finals
Best of 3 legs
Final
Best of 3 legs
            
  Jean Dickinson 2
  Susie Robertshaw 0
  Jean Dickinson 2
  Pat Piper 0
  Pat Piper 2
  Pam Langridge 0
  Jean Dickinson 2
  Maureen Flowers 1
  Maureen Flowers 2
  Cathy Wardell 0
  Maureen Flowers 2
  Loveday King 1
  Loveday King 2
  Eva Johansson 1
  Jean Dickinson 2
  Margaret Lally 0
  Brenda Simpson 2
  Ceiwen Potter 1
  Brenda Simpson 0
  Sandra Gibb 2
  Sandra Gibb 2
  Molly Gregory 0
  Sandra Gibb 0
  Margaret Lally 2
  Betty Hughes 2
  Sharon Brown 0
  Betty Hughes 0
  Margaret Lally 2
  Babs Evans 0
  Margaret Lally 2

1977 Indoor League Men's Darts World Championship Results edit

1st round
Best of 3 legs
Quarter-finals
Best of 3 legs
Semi-finals
Best of 5 legs
Final
Best of 5 legs
            
  Alan Glazier 2
  Eric Bristow 0
  Alan Glazier 1
  David "Rocky" Jones 2
  Alan Evans 1
  David "Rocky" Jones 2
  David "Rocky" Jones 3
  John Lowe 2
  Cliff Lazarenko 2
  Rab Smith 0
  Cliff Lazarenko 1
  John Lowe 2
  John Lowe 2
  Doug McCarthy 0
  David "Rocky" Jones 2
  Tony Brown 3
  Charlie Ellix 0
  Bill Lennard 2
  Bill Lennard 1
  Cyril Hayes 2
  Cyril Hayes 2
  Stefan Lord 0
  Cyril Hayes 2
  Tony Brown 3
  Phil Obbard 0
  Kevin White 2
  Kevin White 1
  Tony Brown 2
  Mick Norris 1
  Tony Brown 2

Reigning champion Leighton Rees was unavailable at the time of filming the competition due to him touring Australasia doing dart exhibitions. In the 1977 Indoor League men's darts World Championship players were redrawn after each round. And the draw above reflects this.

1977 Indoor League Mixed Pairs Darts World Championship Results edit

Semi-finals
Best of 5 legs
Final
Best of 5 legs
      
1   Kevin White &   Lynn Stewart 3
4   Bob Crosland &   Margaret Lally 2
  Kevin White &   Lynn Stewart
  Ken Brown &   Sandra Gibb 3
3   Ken Brown &   Sandra Gibb 3
2   Peter Chapman &   Brenda Simpson 2

During the second semi-final, Peter Chapman become the first player to a televised 180 in a mixed pairs game, and Sandra Gibb scored the first ever televised 180 scored by a female player.

The semi-finals and final in this mixed pairs competition were the best of five legs of 701.

References edit

  1. ^ "Indoor League - UKGameshows". ukgameshows.com. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  2. ^ "'Birthplace of TV darts' honoured". Sky Sports. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  3. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Sid Waddell On Legacy Of 'The Indoor League'. YouTube.
  4. ^ http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=6229[bare URL]
  5. ^ "Steroids in America: The Godfather". 11 March 2008.
  6. ^ "Alan Evans vs. Tony Ridler - Semi-final - 1973 Indoor League". YouTube.
  7. ^ "Alan Evans vs. Tommy O'Regan - 1973 Indoor League FINAL". YouTube.

External links edit

  • The Indoor League at IMDb  
  • Indoor League at UK Gameshows web site
  • Major Darts tournament winners