Split in Darts - The "defectors"

The "defectors"

Satellite broadcaster Sky Sports, which had not existed during the decline of the game, was beginning to become a viable option, following the creation of football's Premier League and signed a deal to cover exclusively the WDC's version of the World Championship and the World Matchplay.

However, there was trouble ahead. Mike Gregory and Chris Johns had a change of heart and were persuaded to return to the BDO - but the remaining 14 players managed to remain united under pressure and got their own version of the World Championship off the ground for 1994, with a 24 player field. The BDO event continued with a largely unknown field - although Bobby George produced a resurgent performance to reach the final. The BDO held onto their contract with the BBC to show the event on terrestrial television and began to bring through a new generation of players.