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Olly Croft
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Olly Croft
Oliver Albert Croft, OBE (17 November 1929 – 23 November 2019) was a British darts administrator and the founder of the British Darts Organisation (BDO). He was one of the most influential protagonists in darts for almost four decades, having set up and run the BDO from its inception in 1973 until he was voted off the board in August 2011.
Prior to the formation of the BDO, 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.
Croft was born on 17 November 1929 to the North London tiler Oliver Croft and his wife May Gladys (née Robinson), who later died while giving birth to his younger brother. His father remarried and his son was rebellious towards his stepmother. She beat Croft and locked him in the home cupboard under the stairs in response. The children were subsequently evacuated when the Second World War broke out. After Croft did his national service as an electrician for the Royal Air Force, he established a kitchen tile company called Croft Brothers, which had two shops in Muswell Hill and Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire, and generated £2 million in income.
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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Olly Croft
Oliver Albert Croft, OBE (17 November 1929 – 23 November 2019) was a British darts administrator and the founder of the British Darts Organisation (BDO). He was one of the most influential protagonists in darts for almost four decades, having set up and run the BDO from its inception in 1973 until he was voted off the board in August 2011.
Prior to the formation of the BDO, 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.
Croft was born on 17 November 1929 to the North London tiler Oliver Croft and his wife May Gladys (née Robinson), who later died while giving birth to his younger brother. His father remarried and his son was rebellious towards his stepmother. She beat Croft and locked him in the home cupboard under the stairs in response. The children were subsequently evacuated when the Second World War broke out. After Croft did his national service as an electrician for the Royal Air Force, he established a kitchen tile company called Croft Brothers, which had two shops in Muswell Hill and Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire, and generated £2 million in income.
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.