Mark Dudbridge
Encyclopedia
Mark Daniel Dudbridge is an English professional darts
player.
as one of his heroes. Dudbridge made a name for himself in the British Darts Organisation
by winning the Winmau World Masters
in 2002, defeating Tony West
in the final - in his first televised tournament. He never competed in the BDO version of the World Championship and switched instead to compete in the Professional Darts Corporation
.
In 2003, he won a regional final of the UK Open and also the Ireland Open Classic and knocked out John Part
, who was defending champion at the time, in his first appearance at the World Championship in 2004. His success continued in Blackpool at the World Matchplay in 2004 going on to reach the final before losing to Phil Taylor. He would meet Taylor again at the 2005 PDC World Championship
in the final - possibly Dudbridge's best achievement to date. This achievement saw him qualify for the inaugural Premier League
and he also took the decision to become a full-time professional player.
Since 2005, his ranking has slipped and he hasn't made the major impact on the game that his earlier results might have suggested. He started 2007 ranked 20 in the world rankings
and his best result of the year to date was reaching the quarter finals of the new US Open in May.
computer game.
Dudbridge is also a property developer; he currently lives in Bradley Stoke
and is married with three children. He is a supporter of Bristol City
and several players including Scott Murray
and Louis Carey
have been spotted watching his matches live.
Darts
Darts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules...
player.
Darts career
He started playing in his very early teens, citing Dennis PriestleyDennis Priestley
Dennis Priestley is an English professional darts player. He has won two world championships, and was the first player to win both the BDO and WDC world championships, in 1991 and 1994 respectively...
as one of his heroes. Dudbridge made a name for himself in the British Darts Organisation
British Darts Organisation
The British Darts Organisation, or the BDO for short, is a darts organisation founded on 7 January 1973 by Olly Croft, OBE. The BDO is a founder member of the World Darts Federation which was formed in 1976....
by winning the Winmau World Masters
Winmau World Masters
The Winmau World Masters is one of the longest running and most prestigious professional darts tournaments, which began in 1974 - even before the current World Professional Championship...
in 2002, defeating Tony West
Tony West
Anthony Shaun West is an English professional darts player who competes in British Darts Organisation tournaments.-Wins:...
in the final - in his first televised tournament. He never competed in the BDO version of the World Championship and switched instead to compete in the Professional Darts Corporation
Professional Darts Corporation
The Professional Darts Corporation is a professional darts organization, established in the United Kingdom during 1992, when a group of leading professional players split from the British Darts Organisation to form what was initially called the World Darts Council...
.
In 2003, he won a regional final of the UK Open and also the Ireland Open Classic and knocked out John Part
John Part
John Part is a Canadian professional darts player, who is nicknamed Darth Maple.Part is one of only five players in darts history to be a three time World Champion...
, who was defending champion at the time, in his first appearance at the World Championship in 2004. His success continued in Blackpool at the World Matchplay in 2004 going on to reach the final before losing to Phil Taylor. He would meet Taylor again at the 2005 PDC World Championship
2005 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2005 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, sponsored by Ladbrokes, was held at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet and started on Boxing Day, 2004...
in the final - possibly Dudbridge's best achievement to date. This achievement saw him qualify for the inaugural Premier League
Premier League Darts
The 888.com Premier League Darts is a darts tournament which launched on January 20, 2005 on Sky Sports, and is currently the world's largest indoor sports event. The league is now played weekly from February to May, having originally started as a fortnightly fixture...
and he also took the decision to become a full-time professional player.
Since 2005, his ranking has slipped and he hasn't made the major impact on the game that his earlier results might have suggested. He started 2007 ranked 20 in the world rankings
Darts world rankings
Darts world rankings are a system which should determine a list of the best dart players in the world based on their performances in tournaments...
and his best result of the year to date was reaching the quarter finals of the new US Open in May.
Outside darts
Dudbridge is one of the few players chosen to appear in the PDC World Championship DartsPDC World Championship Darts
PDC World Championship Darts is a sports video game, published by Oxygen Interactive and developed and designed by Mere Mortals. It was released for the PlayStation 2 and PC. The game features ten professionals from the Professional Darts Corporation, and five tournaments from the PDC circuit...
computer game.
Dudbridge is also a property developer; he currently lives in Bradley Stoke
Bradley Stoke
Bradley Stoke is a dormitory town/suburb in South Gloucestershire, England, situated on the north side of the city of Bristol. Named after the local Bradley Brook and Stoke Brook streams, the town was planned in the 1970s and building began in 1987...
and is married with three children. He is a supporter of Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
and several players including Scott Murray
Scott Murray (footballer born 1974)
Scott George Murray is a Scottish footballer who plays as a right winger who plays for non-league side Bath City.-Club career:...
and Louis Carey
Louis Carey
Louis Anthony Carey is a central defender currently playing for Bristol City. Though born in England, Carey is eligible to play for Scotland at international level through his grandparents, and has played once for Scotland's under-21 team.-Bristol City:Carey is a self-proclaimed Bristol City...
have been spotted watching his matches live.