Life After Winning the World Championship 2015 - Scotty Dog's Blog

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Life after winning the world championship!


Interview with Rob Walker Interview with Rob Walker

Sunday 11th January

Today was a turning point in my family's life.

No sooner had double top gone in I had an interview on stage for BBC with Rob Walker, then straight up to the BT Sport interview with Ray Stubbs and Ted Hankey. BT Sports other interviewer Helen Skeleton had also interviewed Sharon, Katie and Sam whilst I was on BBC. I came down from the balcony to be rushed by the BDO pr lady into the press room where approx 15 reporters were waiting for me.

Then from there it was straight into the champions meal without time to change as everyone was waiting to eat and do the presentations, speeches and more press photos were taken. All happened so fast and I hadn't been champ for two hours. We returned to the hotel bar with friends and family to wind down and try and speak to them before they had to leave. Received a call from Wayne at shownights to book me for a big exhibition at the O2 in London for two weeks time! After a few cups of coffee, Sharon and I retired to our room but sleep didn't come quickly.

Interview with Rob Walker

© Photo by British Darts Organisation

Scott Lifting World Championship Trophy

© Photo by British Darts Organisation

Monday 12th January

The first call for a radio interview came at 7am, with about 10 calls in all, but however hard they tried Vasso Alexander and Chris Evans just couldn't get through! Finally got for breakfast at about 10am. I received a call from the Sun / Star and Daily Mail papers wanting photos of dad and I at the farm with the old tractor so headed back there as fast as we could. Whilst there I had a call from South Today then Meridian wanting me on their evening shows, so back in the car with Shaz driving as my phone was still red hot. Headed to Meridian first for a pre-recorded segment with Fred Dinage which was great, then onto South Today for their live show after a quick rehearsal!

Left South Today to drive to my home venue for a Monday night league game at West Moors Social Club knowing that they wouldn't play me as I had missed the Monday the week before because of being at Lakeside! Lol. The lads stopped the match when we walked in for pics with the trophy and they also presented me with a picture / plaque to go on the wall of the club! Was very honoured by this. On the way to pick up our dog from Shaz's mum we finally had a change to celebrate in our usual way! Yep we went to McDonalds!! So that was my first 24 hours as world champion.

Over the next week the interviews came thick and fast, local radio and local papers and magazines of all sorts, I even had to go back to radio solent to be interviewed by a radio station from LA which was broadcast over Hollywood and surrounding areas! I had lots of meetings with accountant, Simon Hall from Red Dragon came to see me at home, and lots of friend popping in to see us.

Scott Appearing on South Today

© Photo by Deanna Penney

West Moors Social Club X Team

© Photo by Andy Willis

Friday 16th January

Trust Darts Corporation was formed with Gary Anderson and myself playing the first ever game of trust darts on TalkSport radio with Colin Murray. I beat Gary, but such was the phenomenal response that a trust darts tournament was formed. Great fun!

On Friday evening I had a "homecoming" to my local pub where darts started for me the New Queen at Avon! Nearly 300 people turned out to see me and have pics with the trophy, was very honoured to have Trina Gulliver MBE and her wife Sue with us as well. It was a night I will never forget!!

Scott Bringing the Lakeside Trophy to the New Queen at Avon

© Photo by Katie Mitchell

Sunday 18th January

Saw me take the trophy to my first county game since winning, it was against Somerset and I won with a 30 avg too which was a bonus.

More interviews in the week that followed and first calls/emails from Radio 4 Farming Today programme and Countryfile. A call up from EDO for the six nations team in Belfast. Also did a couple of Q&A sessions on various sites with BDO fanatics being one of the busiest! Had 2nd contact email from C&O Tractors about a tractor for dad.

Sat 24th January

Indigo at the O2 arena, my first exhibition since being world champ, Eric Bristow MBE met me with a handshake and the words welcome to our club! Great night of darts followed by a Frankie Vallie tribute act. The trophy was with me with a glued on handle following a accident with it rolling of the back seat of my car after having to make an emergency stop in my little village as I was on the way to a youth footie game to show the boys.

Tuesday 27th January

Had a meeting with 2 guys that own and run the Piddle Brewery in Dorset. They suggested to me that they wanted to bring out a beer in my honour with my dog logo on the bottles, well I wasn't going to say no was I!

Piddle Brewery Logo
Beer for Scotty Dog

Thursday 29th January

Headed to Assen in Holland for the Dutch Open, on Friday I played Lisa Ashton in trust darts over the phone on radio with about 40 dart players watching that were staying in the same house complex! Hit first 180 in trust darts with lots of witnesses! Martin Atkins and I played well in the mens pairs winning at about 10pm in the evening, giving me back to back wins as I won last year with Richie George. Only two other players have ever done this, Barney and Co Stompe! So really chuffed with that.

Listen to Trust Darts: Scott Mitchell vs Lisa Ashton on TalkSport

Got home from the Dutch Open and it was back to the day job. Dug out two ditches by hand for the local parish council for drainage reasons. Had another meeting re tractor for dad, split some logs for dad as his wood shed was empty, bought a couple of more calves for the farm. Then off to county match away to Staffordshire.

Dutch Open 2015 Pairs Winners Darts - Scott Mitchell and Martin Atkins

© Photo by Polska Organizacja Darta

Monday 9th February

A trip to the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus for the Comic Relief publicity launch of Let's Play Darts.

Tuesday 10th February

By invitation of Jeff Mostyn, chairman of AFC Bournemouth saw Sharon and I attending the Bournemouth v Derby match. Had a fab meal in the boardroom and took the trophy out onto the pitch in half time and was interviewed. Met a few of my sporting heroes in Mark Pugh, Steve Fletcher and James Beattie.

Scott on Pitch at Half Time during Bournemouth v Derby Match

© Photo by Richard Crease

Thursday 12th February

Trip to the BIC to watch the Premier League Darts courtesy of Peter Manley.

The Scottish Open was a sad time as Sharon's nan died on the Saturday, one of the many times where you wish you could just be at home for the family.

Tuesday 17th February

Visited C&O Tractors dealership in Blandford and completed the deal re the tractor.

Thursday 19th February

Invite to Poole Speedway by Sky presenter Nigel Pearson and Kelvin Tatum as a guest at their talk show.

Friday 20th February

Flew with Sharon to Belfast to play for England in the Six Nations cup, which England won 13-12 in the final against Holland.

Tuesday 24th February

First meeting with Countryfile people who came to scope the farm out and what they would do.

Wednesday 25th February

Flew to Stuttgart Germany to appear on the Nice trade show stand for my sponsor NICE UK thanks to Ian Alderson. They had made a fantastic glass box for the trophy to go in and had lots of pictures taken, also I presented Lorro Borro the company owner with a boxed set of my darts.

At the Nice Trade Show in Stuttgart, Germany

© Photo by thenicegroup

World Championship Trophy in Glass Box at Nice Booth

Thursday 26th February

Landed back at Heathrow where Sharon picked me up then we drove to Manchester ready for the world trophy event. I beat Canadian David Cameron in the first round, but lost 7-2 to Wayne Warren, I missed chances but thats the game.

Scott at the World Trophy Event with Fans

© Photo by Clare Stephens-Lloyd

Scott at the World Trophy Event with Fans

© Photo by Clare Stephens-Lloyd

Wednesday 4th March

Countryfile filming day!! Had a fab day with seeing Helen Skelton again and the delivery of the tractor for dad, also Avon Valley Young Farmers were able to participate in the filming.

Watch the Countryfile Interview on YouTube

Countryfile Filming Day
Countryfile Filming

Thursday 5th March

Flew to Isle of Man, lost in last 16 of Masters comp and last 8 to Adams after he shot a 156 out to win.

Monday 9th March

Interview for the Sun and Goals on Sunday about what its like to be an AFC Bournemouth supporter.

Tuesday 10th March

Another meeting with Piddle Brewery.

Thursday 12th March

Went to Watford for the TK Max staff from across the country for a Comic Relief fund raiser with Richie and Bobby George and Darryl Fitton.

Comic Relief Fund Raiser

© Photo by Christel Thernström

13th-15th March

County away to Gwent.

Monday 16th March

Interview and pictures at the farm for Sporting Gun magazine with the tractor and our dog Jazz, new accountant Sophie came to see us at home.

Wednesday 18th March

Poole Speedway press day, had an invite from owners to meet new riders for this season, also was interviewed as one of their top supporters.

An evening at C&O tractors for their open evening including one of my old vintage tractors that I had traded in.

Thursday 19th March

Helped my sister in law and brother in law with the big house move! To the house next door to were they used to live! Great fun and time with the family.

Friday 20th March

Flew to Venray with Sharon, for the Hal Open in Holland where I lost in the last 8 to Richard Janssen the eventual winner, then in the second singles comp on Sunday I lost last 16 to Darius Labanauskas. Got home on Monday to a frantic call from our son Sam who had hit himself in the face with a hammer whilist at work so breaking his glasses! So off to the opticians.

Scott in Action at Hal Open 2015

© Photo by Anky Poelarends

Tuesday 24th March

The day I was officially named as England captain for the home internationals!

Wednesday 25th March

Hampshire and Isle of Wight sports awards at St. Mary's stadium Southampton, presented awards with Claire Purdy, womens rugby world cup champion.

Watch the Highlights from the Awards on YouTube

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sports Awards

Thursday 26th March

Diabetic eye test in the morning, gotta be done but not nice.

Also a charity exhibition for Diverse Abilities at Parley Sports which raised 2k.

Diverse Abilities Exhibition at Parley Sports and Social Club

© Photo by Diverse Abilities

Friday 27th March

Trust darts semi-final against Keegan Brown. I won. Exhibition at Devizes Inn, Salisbury.

Listen to Trust Darts: Scott Mitchell vs Keegan Brown on TalkSport

Saturday 28th March

Off to Weston-super-Mare for Sue Gulliver's 50th birthday meal.

Sunday 29th March

County at home to Devon, I won 4-0 with another 30 avg.

Airing of Countryfile!

Monday 30th March

A meeting with Jason Thame and George Noble from Modus.

Wednesday 1st April

Attended Alderholt scouts, had a fun evening with all scouts having a throw and pictures with the trophy.

Evening with Alderholt Scouts

Wednesday 8th April

A very sad day, we said goodbye to our good friend and BDO stalwart Dave Vincent. He will be greatly missed. He has meant alot to my family and I through the years.

10th / 12th April

Home Internationals in Merthyr Tydfil. My first as England captain. England men won narrowly by just 4 legs on countback.

England Team at the 2015 Home Internationals

© Photo by Katie Mitchell

Tues 14th April

Charity night at the Horns Inn, Parley for Julia's House, also in attendance was PDC walk on girl Katie Elizabeth, we raised 2k. Fantastic night.

Charity Night at the Horns Inn

© Photo by Horns Inn

Charity Night at the Horns Inn with PDC Walk on Girl Katie Elizabeth

© Photo by Horns Inn

Friday 17th April

Piddle brewery went live with the beer launch!

18th/19th April

A rare weekend off and Sharon's birthday, so we spent the day together... logging!! Ready for the winter.

Monday 20th April

Filmed a video message to be sent to National Federation Young Farmers clubs for the AGM darts tournament.

Monday 27th April

Was honoured to be invited again to AFC Bournemouth for the last game of the season by Steve Butler. A fab night with afcb winning and going up to the Premier League! Also met Darren Anderton, Jimmy Glass and Paul Morel. Shaz came and got me at 1 am.

Scott with Jimmy Glass at Bournemouth v Bolton

Tuesday 28th April

A cattle dealer came to the farm to look at the first lot of seven that are ready to be sold on.

Wednesday 29th April

All four of us went to Tim Vine's show in Bournemouth. He got me up on stage to play a leg of darts against him. Katie was the ref on the mike and Sam was the chalker! A fun night.

At Tim Vine's Show at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre

Thursday 30th April

Time for my yearly diabetic mot. All levels had risen abit! Wonder why??

Friday 1st May

Trust darts final against Gary Anderson. I was sat on bull after 12 darts when he hit double 7 to become the first trust darts champion.

Listen to Trust Darts: Scott Mitchell vs Gary Anderson on TalkSport

Saturday 2nd May

Drove to Manchester for a Shownight's exhibition at Manchester Academy. I won the event beating Eric Bristow, Bob Anderson and Wolfie in the final.

Legends of Darts Masters Champion

© Photo by Shownights

Monday 4th May - bank holiday

Met another cattle dealer at the farm, then I opened the local Bransgore Fun Day at 1pm, took the trophy along for photos and even had a ferret in it!

Bransgore Fun Day 2015

© Photo by Katie Mitchell

Bransgore Fun Day 2015

© Photo by Sheree Jewitt

Friday 8th May

Bridport League presentation at Freshwater caravan park. Played 8 players on the night from the league. Chuffed as I did a 42 avg on a 701 leg.

Saturday 9th May

Drove to Leighton Buzzard to do another presentation night at Brooklands club, loads of trophy and handshaking.

Tuesday 12th May

Contacted Dan Adams re a new website.

Friday 15th May

Circus Tavern for an exhibition organised by Keith Deller. I played Terry Jenkins, lost 7-6. Then back home.

Scott Mitchell v Terry Jenkins at the Masters of Darts 2015 Circus Tavern

Saturday 16th May

Up and drove to Prestatyn for the Welsh Open, picked Gary Stafford up on way. Lost to Mick Savvery in last 32 4-2.

Tuesday 19th May

Tb cattle testing at the farm.

Friday 22nd May

Re test tb cows to see if there was a reaction. BBC Radio 4 Farming Today programme came to interview us while this was being done.

Presentation at Bournemouth's oldest ladies league also believed to be the oldest in the country.

Saturday 23rd May

Exhibition at the Old Bell in Warminster.

Sunday 24th May

I was a guest at British Motocross GP in Matterly Basin in Winchester.

At British Motocross GP 2015 with Sami Hyypia

Tuesday 26th May

Was invited to Harry Redknapp's celebrity golf day at the Remedy Oak golf course.

Wednesday 27th May

Was a guest of Sunrise Service and MOT Centre at Poole Speedway in VIP area. Went onto the centre green for the last race and helped pick rider of the night award.

Saturday 30th May

Avon Valley young farmers tractor rally with Sam. Took our tractor and the trophy, also set up a nine dart comp for charity.

Katie's first County B game, so after setting the tractor ready, Shaz and I headed to Branksome Con Club to watch Katie in what was to be her first win on the senior stage.

Then back to the tractor rally where they had raised £1500 for help the heroes.

Avon Valley Young Farmers Tractor Rally 2015

© Photo by Tim Gray

Sunday 31st May

My turn on the county stage again and I won 4-0.