With just a pipe dream of making a league for the players to enjoy and not get caught up in the twisted side of politics of the local game the Franchise league was born.A committee would be formed and rules would be set and then stuck to so no players no matter who they are would be treated any different to any other and that went for the teams also.Any problems would be dealt with swiftly and decisive to keep the league flowing better for everyone.Legue fee's would be kept to a minimum and by the 2nd season extinguished to help the players and team put the effort in to play more than worry about being prompted by league fees in excess of hundreds of pounds a year but the pay outs to the teams would be the same if not better than the league charging way over the odds to play the game we all love and keeping it about the darts and not the money although the money was more payed out to the teams.The franchise league also boast a high number of youth players and female players to which they also have there own awards at the end of the season encouraging more to join in stead of pushing them away like other leagues do and now advised by Winmau darts themselves that it is to become Sheffield premier darts league.The league which has just had its first season presentation was sponsored by The Leadmill and darts giants Red Dragon to make sure that the league flew out of the blocks.Champions was the Black Eagles from the Atercliffe area of the city and runners up was the Railwaymen from the Parkgate area of Rotherham with another Atercliffe side The Panthers finishing 3rd.Singles champion was Ryan Goffin from the Panthers beating 15yo Owen Cubitt in the final with Owen now allowed to play a full season of darts under the Franchise league banner with the league allowing the youths to play all the games.Pairs champions was Yorkshire legends Steve Briggs and Pete Daffin beating Greg Beard and Jelger Tuinstra in a thrilling contest.Ladies final was won by Wizards star Anne Lofthouse getting the better of Angie Brittle in a good solid display by both players.Female youth rising star Jodie Bruce(Warriors) made the final of the Youth tournament and although went down 3-0 pushed Owen cubit in every leg but it was the Black eagles Player who won and John Walton won the legends cup beating John Lieber in the final.Player of the year was voted Sie Simmons taking the spoils for the wizards and Nicola Warne of the warriors been voted lady player of the year.Owen Cubitt was voted youth player with Mick woods of the Panthers voted teams player of the year.
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| Pairs Champions Steve Briggs and Pete Daffin with Yorkshire Starlet Marie Groves |
Sheffield franchise league was also asked to take part in the interleague championship and it was the first time a side from Sheffield was invited which they won on a great occasion.this friendly league looks to be going stronger and stronger as more teams have joined next season and more enquiring to play.Sheffield who are now part of the National darts league with the team been represented by the Franchise League it looks like the place to play darts in the Sheffield area
Paul Smith : Editor Darts Club
