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Welcome to the official site of 'Doctor Darts'
Patrick Chaplin PhD - Darts Historian
Dr Darts to hit the
bookshelves
Thursday, 04 June 2009
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BOOKS’
bull’s eye: Patrick Chaplin scores in the publishing world. Picture by Martin
Dalton |
By Pat Jones
- The
Yellow Advertiser (Chelmsford)
DOCTOR Darts – alias Patrick Chaplin – has hit the book publishing bull’s eye.
The man, who was awarded a PhD for his research into the social history of darts
between the two World Wars, has four books coming out in quick succession.
“My books are a bit like buses,” he said. “I waited ages for one, and now
several come along at once.”
His academic thesis was snapped up by Manchester University Press and hit the
bookshops as ‘Darts in England: A Social History’, on Monday.
“I’ve added a little more to it about people – about the working classes and how
they took to the pub sport,” he said.
A few days earlier, his joint work with former world professional darts
champion, John Lowe, The Art of Darts was released.
Another joint venture, an update on John’s autobiography, Old Stoneface, comes
off the presses at the end of the month.
Patrick, who lives in Maldon, has written the darts
chapter for Played at the Pub, a book in the series Played in Britain.
His own ‘The Complete Guide to Darts’ due for publication in New York next year.
And Welcome to my website.
When I set up my original Darts History
website back in 2000, I had no idea how successful it would be or indeed if
anyone else out there in the global internet community was interested in the
history of the greatest of all sports.
In fact I have been staggered by the
response from darts fans and within a comparatively short time this website has
become among the most popular darts sites on the planet. Indeed during the final
week of both the PDC and BDO tournaments in 2009 page downloads reached nearly
10,000.
For those visiting for the first time ever,
my name is Dr. Patrick Chaplin, I live in the UK with my wife Maureen and cat
Angel and now spend most of my waking hours researching darts. I was born in
1950 and threw my first darts at a fairground when I was seven years old. From
the age of twelve I started to try and play darts seriously. Between 1976 and
1990 I played for local pub teams both in league play and in out-of-season
friendly matches and even won a few in-house trophies.
In December 2006, after more than ten years
part-time, self-funded research I was awarded a PhD by the Anglia Ruskin
University, Cambridge. . I am, therefore, a real ‘DOCTOR of DARTS.’ However,
that sounds a bit pretentious, so ‘Patrick’ will do.
The book based upon that research entitled
Darts in England 1900-1939 – a social history will be published by Manchester
University Press in 2009. Click here for more details about the book and how to
order a copy.
I still play friendly pub darts every week
with some close drinking friends but have not played in serious competition for
over a decade. However, I never had any aspirations to become a professional
darts champion and indeed 25 years ago I had no idea that I would eventually
become a real Doctor of Darts.
It was Tony Wood, editor of the British
darts magazine Darts World who first called me ‘The Doctor of Darts’.
Subsequently I have been called ‘eccentric’ by the prestigious UK daily
newspaper The Guardian and ‘an arrers nut’ by the UK’s most popular tabloid, The
Sun.
I own up to all of that – and more.
I am now regarded by many as the world’s
leading darts historian and I am known affectionately across the globe as ‘Dr.
Darts’. This is an authoritative and very popular website covering every aspect
of darts, not just darts history. Fans can also approach me direct to raise any
questions they may have about the sport.
Through my website I am encouraging those
interested in the history and development of the game to share and exchange
information. Judging by the kind remarks I have received in the past from
contacts it seems to me that it’s working just fine. As you navigate around the
site you will find contributions from other darts enthusiasts which I know you
will find of interest.
I hope you enjoy my website. I hope you will
also return again and again to discover what new articles have been posted.
Best wishes and extremely happy darting to
you all.
Patrick Chaplin
January 2009
Darts in England 1900 - 1939
I am proud to announce that my book
Darts in England 1900-1939: A social history is now available.
The book, the culmination of over 12
years intensive research, is the very first academic work to be published
relating to the social history of the most popular pastime and sport in the
world - DARTS. It is published by Manchester University Press as part of that
publishers’ prestigious series ‘Studies in Popular Culture.’
I appreciate that the cost will be
prohibitive for most fans, although some bookshops and supermarkets are offering
the work at a reduced price online. However, I am confident that the interest
stimulated by my unique work will result in a paperback version being made
available within a year or so.
For those wishing to purchase my
book this can be done via the attached PDF form.
To read a sample chapter, please Click here
Read the reviews
Good reading!
Patrick Chaplin
JOHN LOWE REVEALS ‘THE ART OF
DARTS’
 John
Lowe’s eagerly awaited darts tuition book The Art of Darts is to be
published by Hodder & Stoughton at the end of May.
John said
“It is almost four years since I first realised that the sport of darts was
badly in need of a comprehensive manual that would help the beginner and the
professional alike and so I have written The Art of Darts.” He added, “I
believe The Art this book once bought would never be loaned - always
owned - and an on-going source of self help to all darts players.”
This important
instructional work is written in a way to make it easy reading and simple to
understand. It is relevant to all levels of play and not only shows the beginner
the correct stance, grip and release but shows all players how to build the
self-confidence needed to be more than just proficient at this most popular of
sports.
Read More Click Here...
‘DR. DARTS’ IS MADE RESEARCH
FELLOW
 Following
my award of PhD by the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Cambridge, in December
2006 and my formal graduation in November 2007, I am absolutely thrilled to
announce that my work has been further recognised by the University.
On 21st April
I received a letter from Professor Monika Pruetzel-Thomas, Pro Vice Chancellor
and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences at ARU confirming my
designation as Research Fellow in History.
This designation gives me
a formal affiliation with Anglia Ruskin University and, although it is a nominal
title, it does give me the authority of the University; the value being that
when I visit libraries, archives, etc., it provides me with serious academic
credentials.
I will also be able to
use my new title in the ‘blurb’ on the back of my book, Darts in
England 1900-1939 – a social history,
which will be published in the Spring of 2009 by Manchester University Press.
The designation of
Research Fellow in History is for a period of two years in the first instance,
until 31st May 2010, but it can be extended by mutual agreement.
Clearly the title of
Research Fellow in History will enable me to continue my darts research at the
highest level (whilst also pursuing my research at a more ‘local’ level too).
This will not only raise my personal profile within my area of research but also
- and perhaps more importantly – the profile of the sport of darts.
© 2009 Patrick Chaplin
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