Peter Manley
Encyclopedia
Peter David Manley is an English professional darts
player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation
. He is nicknamed One Dart as he is known for hitting doubles with his first dart. He is perhaps most famous for his long-running feud with Phil Taylor resulting from his refusal to shake Taylor's hand after losing 7-0 to him in the 2002 PDC World Championship final. He has finished runner-up to Taylor in two other World Championships - losing 6-2 in 1999 and 7-0 in 2006
. His biggest tournament win was 2003 Las Vegas Desert Classic
when he beat John Part
16-12 in the final. He is also the chairman of the Professional Dart Players Association
, a position he has held for six years.
for over a year Manley has managed to win only one major tournament with the PDC, the 2003 Las Vegas Desert Classic
. He has managed to reach the World Championship final three times, but lost them all to Taylor and two of those defeats were heavy 0-7 reversals. After beating Taylor in the semi-finals of the 1999 World Matchplay, he lost 17-19 to Rod Harrington in the final.
He has been a semi-finalist in the UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix since, and had qualified for the first four seasons of the Premier League, finishing 3rd in 2005 with 12 points. However, he was knocked out in the semi-final by Colin Lloyd
, 13-7. He failed to progress from the league stages in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Due to Manley's slip in the Order of Merit, he failed to qualify for the 2009 Premier League. He is currently out of the world's top 20 in the PDC Order of Merit
.
's Tubthumping
to Tony Christie
's Is This the Way to Amarillo
, which had just topped the UK Singles Chart
having been re-popularised by Peter Kay
. This has led to a far more relaxed Manley and a far more positive crowd response, even though they still boo him once the music fades out. However, this is done more due to Manley being a 'pantomime villain' rather than genuine animosity.
- PDPA), Manley is often the subject of controversy with fellow players, most notably Taylor in the aforementioned incident, and in the 2006 PDC World Championship
where in a Quarter Final match against Taylor's protegé, Adrian Lewis
, he muttered words to his opponent, resulting in Lewis leaving the stage in anger. (Lewis had thrown a 'Blind' 180 whereby he threw the first two darts as normal, hitting 2 treble 20s; with the third going in while Lewis was looking back at the crowd and Manley.) It is suggested this act of showmanship may have sparked the controversy. After a while, he returned and the match continued where Manley won. This incident sparked a few days of animosity in the lead-up to the final between Manley and Taylor, with the vast majority of darts players and fans incensed at Manley's behaviour. Manley attracted more hate when, during an interview on Sky Sports, he said that he didn't care what other people think as he'd made his money (£50,000 for reaching the final). Manley was beaten in the final 7-0 by Taylor.
In the 2007 PDC World Championship
, he exchanged words with Wynand Havenga
in the second round, possibly pertaining to his opponent's prolonged celebrations upon winning a set. He later lost the match but appeared to apologise for his attitude afterwards. Further controversy with Lewis erupted in the 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic
, where words were again exchanged onstage. Manley tried to minimise the incident after the match, but Lewis continued to complain after he left the stage.
), and has a daughter, Sarah, along with Crissy's daughter Michelle. Manley asked Crissy to marry him after winning the Las Vegas Desert Classic in 2003 and they tied the knot in Las Vegas
the following year. Fellow darts players were in attendance at the wedding with Wayne Mardle
serving as Manley's best man. His daughter Sarah was formerly a member of the indie band The Long Blondes
.
On 29 September 2009, after revealing he was a junior Surrey tennis Champion, it was announced that Manley would become a tennis tipster for the firm 180bets.com.
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 who plays 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...
. He is nicknamed One Dart as he is known for hitting doubles with his first dart. He is perhaps most famous for his long-running feud with Phil Taylor resulting from his refusal to shake Taylor's hand after losing 7-0 to him in the 2002 PDC World Championship final. He has finished runner-up to Taylor in two other World Championships - losing 6-2 in 1999 and 7-0 in 2006
2006 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2006 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship was held from 19 December 2005 to 2 January 2006 at the Circus Tavern. It was the 13th staging of the Professional Darts Corporation's version of the World Championship....
. His biggest tournament win was 2003 Las Vegas Desert Classic
2003 Las Vegas Desert Classic
-Group Stages:Group A *Terry Jenkins - Alex Roy 8 - 4*Alex Roy - Phil Taylor 3 - 8*Terry Jenkins - Phil Taylor 3 - 8 Group B *Bob Anderson - Dave Smith 8 - 3*Dave Smith - John Part 7 - 8*Bob Anderson - John Part 4 - 8Group C...
when he beat 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...
16-12 in the final. He is also the chairman of the Professional Dart Players Association
Professional Dart Players Association
The Professional Dart Players Association is an organisation for professional dart players. Its intention is to look after the interests of professional players through an annually elected Board of six current professionals.-Formation:...
, a position he has held for six years.
Darts career
Despite being ranked number one in the PDC world rankingsDarts 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...
for over a year Manley has managed to win only one major tournament with the PDC, the 2003 Las Vegas Desert Classic
Las Vegas Desert Classic
The Las Vegas Desert Classic was a darts tournament, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation and was held each year in July from 2002 until 2010...
. He has managed to reach the World Championship final three times, but lost them all to Taylor and two of those defeats were heavy 0-7 reversals. After beating Taylor in the semi-finals of the 1999 World Matchplay, he lost 17-19 to Rod Harrington in the final.
He has been a semi-finalist in the UK Open, World Matchplay and World Grand Prix since, and had qualified for the first four seasons of the Premier League, finishing 3rd in 2005 with 12 points. However, he was knocked out in the semi-final by Colin Lloyd
Colin Lloyd
Colin Lloyd , nicknamed Jaws, is an English professional darts player on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. He is a former world number one ranked player and he has won two major television titles in the PDC - the 2004 World Grand Prix and 2005 World Matchplay...
, 13-7. He failed to progress from the league stages in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Due to Manley's slip in the Order of Merit, he failed to qualify for the 2009 Premier League. He is currently out of the world's top 20 in the PDC Order of Merit
PDC order of merit
The PDC Order of Merit is a world ranking system used by one of the darts organisations, the Professional Darts Corporation . Following the 2007 PDC World Darts Championship it superseded a world ranking system based on points being awarded for performances in ranking tournaments.-Previous world...
.
Crowd popularity
Manley's refusal to shake Taylor's hand in 2002 led to darts fans booing him for many years. However, this changed in 2005 when he changed his entrance theme from ChumbawambaChumbawamba
Chumbawamba is a British musical group who have, over a career spanning nearly three decades, played punk rock, pop-influenced music, world music, and folk music...
's Tubthumping
Tubthumping
"Tubthumping", informally known by its prominent lyric "I Get Knocked Down", is the title of a song released by the Anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba on 11 August 1997 through Universal Records and EMI Electrola. It was their most successful single, peaking at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart...
to Tony Christie
Tony Christie
Tony Christie is an English musician, singer and actor. He is best known for his track, "Is This The Way To Amarillo", a double UK chart success.-Career:Tony Christie has sold over 10 million albums Worldwide...
's Is This the Way to Amarillo
Is This the Way to Amarillo
In the United States, a version by the writer of the song Neil Sedaka made to number 44 in the Billboard charts in 1977, and the title was shortened to "Amarillo".-Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay version:...
, which had just topped the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
having been re-popularised by Peter Kay
Peter Kay
Peter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
. This has led to a far more relaxed Manley and a far more positive crowd response, even though they still boo him once the music fades out. However, this is done more due to Manley being a 'pantomime villain' rather than genuine animosity.
Controversy
Despite being chairman of the Players' Union (the Professional Dart Players AssociationProfessional Dart Players Association
The Professional Dart Players Association is an organisation for professional dart players. Its intention is to look after the interests of professional players through an annually elected Board of six current professionals.-Formation:...
- PDPA), Manley is often the subject of controversy with fellow players, most notably Taylor in the aforementioned incident, and in the 2006 PDC World Championship
2006 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2006 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship was held from 19 December 2005 to 2 January 2006 at the Circus Tavern. It was the 13th staging of the Professional Darts Corporation's version of the World Championship....
where in a Quarter Final match against Taylor's protegé, Adrian Lewis
Adrian Lewis
Adrian Lewis is an English professional darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation who is the reigning PDC World Darts Champion...
, he muttered words to his opponent, resulting in Lewis leaving the stage in anger. (Lewis had thrown a 'Blind' 180 whereby he threw the first two darts as normal, hitting 2 treble 20s; with the third going in while Lewis was looking back at the crowd and Manley.) It is suggested this act of showmanship may have sparked the controversy. After a while, he returned and the match continued where Manley won. This incident sparked a few days of animosity in the lead-up to the final between Manley and Taylor, with the vast majority of darts players and fans incensed at Manley's behaviour. Manley attracted more hate when, during an interview on Sky Sports, he said that he didn't care what other people think as he'd made his money (£50,000 for reaching the final). Manley was beaten in the final 7-0 by Taylor.
In the 2007 PDC World Championship
2007 PDC World Darts Championship
The 2007 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship was the 14th World Championship organised by the Professional Darts Corporation since it separated from the British Darts Organisation. The tournament began on Monday 18 December 2006 and the final was played on Monday 1 January 2007...
, he exchanged words with Wynand Havenga
Wynand Havenga
Wynand Havenga is a South African darts player.He made his television debut at the 2007 PDC World Darts Championship as a qualifier, having beaten almost 100 players to win the South African Masters and thus earn his place at the Circus Tavern...
in the second round, possibly pertaining to his opponent's prolonged celebrations upon winning a set. He later lost the match but appeared to apologise for his attitude afterwards. Further controversy with Lewis erupted in the 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic
2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic
The 2007 Las Vegas Desert Classic was the sixth time that the Professional Darts Corporation stage the prestigious darts tournament...
, where words were again exchanged onstage. Manley tried to minimise the incident after the match, but Lewis continued to complain after he left the stage.
Outside of darts
Manley currently resides in Carlisle. He started playing darts at the age of 12, and at the age of 16 his father allowed him to play a local team who congregated every Saturday at The Bell Inn, Cheam. Often playing for money, Manley recalls 'winning his fair share, but wanting more'. He is married to Crissy Manley (née Howat), a fellow dart player nicknamed 'two darts' (who has previously appeared in TV soap EastendersEastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
), and has a daughter, Sarah, along with Crissy's daughter Michelle. Manley asked Crissy to marry him after winning the Las Vegas Desert Classic in 2003 and they tied the knot in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
the following year. Fellow darts players were in attendance at the wedding with Wayne Mardle
Wayne Mardle
Wayne Mardle is a darts player for the Professional Darts Corporation, and former player in the BDO. He now lives in Romford...
serving as Manley's best man. His daughter Sarah was formerly a member of the indie band The Long Blondes
The Long Blondes
The Long Blondes were a five-piece English indie rock band formed in Sheffield, United Kingdom in 2003 by Dorian Cox , Reenie Hollis , Emma Chaplin , Kate Jackson and Screech Louder .After several critically...
.
On 29 September 2009, after revealing he was a junior Surrey tennis Champion, it was announced that Manley would become a tennis tipster for the firm 180bets.com.