Olly Croft
| Oliver Croft, also known as Olly OBE | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Oliver Albert Croft 17 November 1929 |
| Occupation | Retired |
| Years active | 1973–2011 |
| Spouse(s) | Lorna Croft (deceased) |
Oliver Albert "Olly" Croft, OBE (born 17 November 1929) is a former darts administrator and the founder of the British Darts Organisation. He was one of the most influential protagonists in darts for almost four decades having set up and run the British Darts Organisation from its inception in 1973 until he was voted off the board in August 2011.
Prior to the formation of the British Darts Organisation, the major organisation for county darts had been the National Darts Association of Great Britain (the NDAGB, commonly referred to as NDA) which had been formed in London on 25 September 1954. Croft began playing darts himself in 1961 for the Harringay Arms in Crouch Hill and was soon playing seven nights per week.
The British Darts Organisation was formed at its inaugural meeting at Croft's home in Creighton Avenue, Muswell Hill in North London on 7 January 1973. Twelve others attended that meeting including his wife Lorna, Sam Hawkins, Jim Sweeney and James Rogers. They agreed to start an inter-county league that autumn and instead of working within the NDA decided to go it alone.
After the British Darts Organisation separated from the NDA in 1973 he said, "We have 61 counties, our links with television and the big sponsors. Our ultimate aim? I think it is a headquarters where we can hold big finals... But I can't see that in our lifetime."
There are now 66 counties providing competitive darts for men, women and youth, backed up with internal county Super Leagues.
Croft also affiliated the British Darts Organisation as a founder member of the World Darts Federation which set up the World Cup and Europe Cup.
With the creation of the Winmau World Masters in 1974 and World Professional Darts Championship in 1978, darts began to become increasingly popular appearing on BBC television and ITV usually on their World of Sport show. But as the mid-to-late eighties approached and World of Sport was cancelled, the image of the game collapsed. Some top players became frustrated at lack of opportunities and Croft would become a central character in a devastating split in the game.
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