THE
HISTORY AS discovered
 E-mail me kjstammers62@sky.com |
Winter League Introduction
UPDATED October 2024:
The league was
originally formed as "The Ingatestone and Fryerning Dart League" in 1948.
The original founding members of the league were: the Anchor A, the Anchor
B, the British Legion (Ingatestone), the Crown Hotel, the Spread Eagle, the
Woolpack Hotel (Fryerning), the Working Mens Club (Ingatestone) and the Viper
Hotel (Mill Green).
Many thanks to Will Cosgrave
from Kingston in Surrey, who responded to one of many appeals and provide me
with new info from 1948 to December 1950.
The Spread
Eagle in Ingatestone High Street were the first League Champions, however, this
Public House was demolished in 1963 and is now a row of shops.
In the
leagues 2nd season (1949/1950) 8-teams took part; the Anchor A and B
(Ingatestone), the Bull (Blackmore), The Club (Ingatestone), the Crown
(Ingatestone), the Spread Eagle (Ingatestone), the Viper (Mill Green); the
Woolpack (Fryerning); with the Viper being champions.
In its 3rd
season (1950/1951), the George & Dragon (Mountnessing); the Plough
(Mountnessing) and the Black Bull (Margaretting) joined the Anchor A and B; the
Club; the Crown; the Spread Eagle; the Viper A and B.
New team Black Bull were favourites after transferring
from the Chelmsford & District league, but the Viper A held on to the title.
The Viper (A) (Mill Green) dominated the league for 3 seasons and were given
the original Winners Shield to keep, which can still be viewed in the Pub today.
In September
1950, the then Ingatestone & District League Chairman, Mr A. Honeyball, was
challenged by the Chelmsford & District League's Honourable Secretary, Mr T.
Bacon, to an Inter-League Challenge Match! Two matches home and away took part
on 21st & 28th December 1950, with each team winning their home games 4-2.
A decider took place on 23rd February 1951 which saw Chelmsford win 4-2.
In 1956 the
Wheatsheaf (Nine Ashes) won the first of their 3 consecutive championships &
again were given the second Winners shield to keep.
For the
1958/9 season the league introduced a Silver Cup (valued at 70 pounds) & the committee
agreed at the time that if a team should win the league 3 times in succession,
the Cup isn't kept, which was a good thing because the Thatchers Arms (Radley
Green) won the trophy that season & also the following two seasons, the
Thatchers Arms is now the Cuckoo. It is
worth noting that when this Silver League Championship Cup replaced the 2nd
Shield, the league became officially known as it is today,
"The Ingatestone
and District Dart League".
 |
| THATCHERS
ARMS (Cuckoo)
1959 Back Row left to right: Charlie Hirons, Unknown, Unknown, George Clark, Jim Crook, Unknown, Unknown, Keith Hardy Front Row left to right: Mark Neal, Benny Talbot Snr, Jack Passfield (Landlord), Olive Passfield (Landlady), Benny Talbot Jnr, Jack Oddy Many thanks to John Passfield (Son of Landlord) who supplied the photo and the names he remembers. |
In 1963, a
second division was first tried out, however the teams didn't like this, and
therefore reverted-back to one league; the Spread Eagle (Margaretting), winning
this title. The trophy donated was named after the winners, the Spread Eagle,
and became the Captains league trophy from 1964 to 1967; then the Secretaries KO
Cup from 1968 onwards. The 2nd division returned from 1993 to 1998, again from
1999 to 2014.
I have been
reliably informed that in 1980 a rule was made that no team outside a 9 mile
radius from the Centre of Ingatestone could join the league. I have found no
evidence of this, although I do remember this being mentioned at an Annual
General Meeting prior to me joining the Governing Body in 1984, and its talked
about by the older members of the league, although some believe it's 8 miles.
The Original format was fours games of Pairs, 301 best of 3 legs, double start double finish...
In 1952 the format became five games of Pairs, 301 best of 3 legs, double start double finish...
In 1981 the decision was made by the committee & new governing body, to change the format to 15 legs... 5 Pairs 401 best of 1 leg and 10 Singles 301 best of 1 leg, straight start double finish...
In 1984, the Pairs was increased to 501 and the Singles to 401, this followed the change in the closing time of licensed premises from 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm a year earlier...
In 1993 came a change that reduced the number of players required per team to 8. The format consisted of four Pairs 601 best of 1 leg & seven Singles 501 best of 1 leg, straight start double finish, this had an immediate effect with 3 new teams joining & the 2nd division was re-established...
In 1997, two games of 4-aside was added to the format, 801 best of 1 leg, straight start double finish...
In 1999, a further reduction in the number of players required. Each team now only requires 6 players & the format is three Pairs 501 best of 3 leg's, straight start double finish & six Singles 401 best of 3 leg's, straight start double finish. Again this change prompted an increase in teams, with 8 new teams joining, & after one seasons absence, the 2nd division is re-established...
In 2003, the 1st & 2nd division's Six Singles were increased to 501 best of 3 legs, the newly formed Division 3 was 401 best of 3 legs...
In 2007 it was agreed to abolish the NO BUST rule, the final old ruling to change...
In 2008 the Division 3 Singles increased to 501 best of 3 legs...
In 2010 with the introduction of singles games being drawn, the format was reversed so the the six Singles 501 best of 3 legs was played prior to the three Pairs 501 best of 3 legs...
In 2015 the league Pairs changed to 601 best of 3-legs...
In 2016 the Pairs games are now drawn and therefore the Player of the Year award returns...
The throwing distance was 8 foot until 1977, for the 1977/78 season the oche was set at 7 foot 6 inches, but since 1978/9 season it's been the standard B.D.O. throwing distance 7 foot 9 1/4 inches...
1948 - League formed as "INGATESTONE & FRYERNING DART LEAGUE" by Mr A. Honeyball
1950 - First inter-league challeng match - vs Chelmsford & District at the Anchor 21st December
Singles Knockout introduced a year after it was proposed by Mr Pigeon (Landlord of Woolpack)1954 - Honeyball Cup awarded to Singles Knockout Winner
1956 - Passfield Cup introduced as a Mr & Mrs Pairs competition
1958 - League became officially known as the "INGATESTONE & DISTRICT DART LEAGUE"
1959 - Dibble Shield introduced for the player with the seasons highest score
1963 - Fargo Cup introduced as Team Knockout competition
Division II first played for the Spread Eagle Cup1964 - Captains League introduced: Spread Eagle Cup to be awarded to winner
Secretaries League introduced: Division II runners-up Cup to be awarded to winner1967 - Prince of Wales Challenge Cup - Landlords Knockout Cup introduced
1968 - Royal Steamer Cup donated for the Captains Knockout Cup
Spread Eagle Cup become the Secretaries Knockout Cup1977 - Hatcher Cup introduced for the teams that were knocked out of the Fargo Cup
1982 - Michael Simms (League Secretary) introduced a Special Award Shield
Trevor Greenwood (Chairman) introduced a Wooden Spoon for last place1983 - Replacement Dibble Shield (II) introduced for most 180’s scored
1988 - Kevin Stammers (League Secretary) introduced the Player of the Year award
Brook Shield - Highest Checkout award introduced and named after George Brook1990 - Wood Shield - Female player of the year award introduced with Shield donated by Ron Wood
Harry Knight Cup - replaced the original Pairs KO Cup (Passfield Cup)
Alfred Candler Memorial Cup introduced as an Open Single Knockout
Wheldon Shield - Jim Wheldon (Chairman) introduced to replace the Simms Shield
Kevin Stammers (League Secretary) introduced the Secretaries Special Award1991 - New Wooden Spoon replaced the Greenwood Spoon
1992 - Whitbread Rose Bowl donated to the league to be played for by ladies in a singles knockout
1993 - Second division re-introduced, last played in 1963/4 season
1995 - Royal British Legion Cup introduced as a Triple's Knockout
1996 - Female Highest Checkout Award introduced
1997 - New Special Award - Personality of the Year replaced the Wheldon Shield
1998 - League’s 50th Anniversary Season
Replacement Dibble Shield (III) introduced for most 180’s scored1999 - Anniversary Dinner & Dance on 6th March
Changed the Pair's competition to an Open Male Pairs Knockout
Stammers Shield - Introduction as a Female Pairs Knockout -
Introduction of a 100's League Table
Introduction of a Individual Singles Champion Award2000 - Presidents award is introduced to recognize a team's support to the league
Ron Wood Memorial Cup - introduced as an Open Single Knockout for Ladies2001 - First international vs DC Voltreffers (from Zelem, Belgium) in joint venture with Brentwood League
2002 - Division 3 first played
2003 - Fargo & Hatcher Cup's format changes too: 1 x Six 1001; 2 x Triples 701;
3 x Pairs 601; Captain v Captain 501 and 6 x Singles 501, all 1 leg2004 - Fargo, Hatcher & Bentley (new) Cup's become Divisional
2005 - Most Improved Player replaces Personality of the Year Award
Stammers Shield changed to best performance by an all Female or Mixed Pairs in the Pairs2007 - Champion of Champions introduced
Points system changed from 2 points a win to 1 point per game won, plus match win bonus point
No Bust Rule abolished
The Hatcher Cup & Division 2 Winners Cup were both lost by Horse & Groom (Warley) when pub was closed for refurbishment!2008 - League’s 60th Anniversary Season
Division 2 Cup replacement donated by Douglas White
Triples KO Scrapped (Royal British Legion Cup)2009 - Royal British Legion Cup replaced the lost Hatcher Cup as the Division 2 Knockout Cup
Blind Draw Pairs introduced
Harry Knight Cup becomes the Division 1 Pairs KO Cup
Stammers Shield becomes the Divisions 2 & 3 Pairs KO trophy2010 - Singles Drawn in all league matches
2011 - Blind Draw Pairs Scrapped
2014 - League played as One Division for first time since 1999
Captains & Secretaries played as a Round Robin League for this season only2016 - Pairs Drawn in all league matches and become 601 best of 3-legs
2017 - League to be split into two divisions after the first half of the season
2018 - League Secretary (Kevin Stammers) 30th (and Final) & League's 70th Anniversary Season
Double In, No Bust Competition played for the 70th Anniversary2019 - Jordan McManus took over the reigns of League Secretary
Double In, No Bust competition is added to the fixtures due to it's popularity2020 - March 23rd saw the country go into lockdown due to covid-19; so 2019/20 season suspended (Void)
2021 - After 18 months of lockdown, the league re-starts on 7th October 2021 as One Division of 12 Teams
2022 - Fargo Cup and RBL Cup played-off in 1-night (Format 4 Singles 501 best of 3-legs and 1 Pair 601 best of 3-legs played simultaneously)
2024 - Jordan McManus emigrates to Australia and the league stars a new era with Damian Partis as League Secrertary with Kevin Stammers returning to assist
In 1994 the newly formed "Writtle & District Dart League", was played for the first time. This was run on a Thursday Night during the Summer months between the 1993/4 & 1994/5 of the Ingatestone & District League winter seasons, and was organized by David Prentice & Malcolm Campbell (Cock & Bell). At the 1994 Ingatestone & District AGM I was asked to help run the Writtle & District League which I declined. But it was obvious to me that there was a need for a summer league or summer competitions by the players currently within the Ingatestone league, and they weren't entirely happy with the Writtle set-up. Therefore in March 1995, I called a meeting to inform the committee that I intend introducing a Summer League once the winter season was finished, under the title of "The Ingatestone & District Summer Dart League" and subsequently 21 teams entered (3 divisions of 7 Teams was created). The Writtle & District league changed to a Wednesday Night during the summer, however no longer exists.
The format was six games of Singles, 401 best of 3 legs, three games of Pairs, 501 best of 1 leg straight start double finish. Also there was after each league match was complete, a Six Aside League competition consisting of 801 best of 3 legs straight start double finish.
In 1996, the Six Aside League Competition was changed to 1001 best of 1 leg straight start double finish. In 1997, the Six Aside League Competition became a Divisional Knockout Competition, and the Pairs in the league games became best of 3 legs.
In 2004, the 1st & 2nd division Six Singles are to be increased to 501 best of 3 legs, the other divisions remained 401 best of 3 legs until 2009.
In 2016, the league pairs are drawn and are 601 best of 3-legs.
1995 - League formed as "INGATESTONE & DISTRICT SUMMER DART LEAGUE" with 3 Divisions
Divisional Six Aside League formed
Player of the Years Awards formed
180 Shield formed
Highest Checkout Shield formed
Secretary’s Special Award for best game average formed
Male Singles Knockout Cup formed
Female Singles Knockout Cup formed
Mixed Pairs Knockout Cup formed
Mixed Triples Knockout Shield formed1997 - Divisional Six Aside League was replaced by the Divisional Six Aside Knockout
1998 - Female Highest Checkout Award introduced
2000 - Introduction of a 100's League Table
Introduction of a Individual Singles Champion Award2001 - Presidents Shield is introduced to recognize the team that supports the league
Division 4 introduced2003 - Division 5 played for one season only
2005 - Divisional Singles replaced the previously split Male & Female Singles KO's
Champion of Champions introduced - Male & Female cups awarded to winners2007 - Points system changed from 2 points a win to 1 point per game won, plus match win bonus point
2008 - No Bust Rule abolished2010 - Singles Drawn in League Matches
2016 - Pairs Drawn in League Matches and become 601 best of 3-legs
2017 - Jordan McManus took over running the Summer league from Kevin Stammers
2024 - Jordan McManus emigrates to Australia and the league stars a new era with Damian Partis as League Secrertary with Kevin Stammers returning to assist
2025 - Format changes to same as Winter League
To complete the history I need help!
Unfortunately there are gaps in the history of the League, & I need help to
complete it.
Some of the past committee's didn't get the Perpetual Trophies engraved, and there
were certainly no written records ever passed on or exist to my knowledge...
I have also found a number of conflicts, mistakes in my research on players &
teams credited to winning competitions... i.e. the Perpetual's engraving is
wrong, especially in the late 1970's; and the early 1980's none of the trophies
were engraved! I need past & current players to be on the lookout for anything that may have
evidence of who took part or who won what. I need
reports, meeting minutes,
fixtures, final league
tables, to view trophies,
newspaper cuttings, all items will be
returned.
I would be grateful for any snippet of information. So, if your reading this & used to play in the league or had relatives who did &
have any recollection of pre 1988 when I took over running the league... Many
early reports & tables were published in the "Essex Newsman";
my main corncern is from 1979 to 1986 that
the chairman & secretary did not send the Essex Chronicle or any other newspaper
in the Brentwood / Chelmsford areas, any reports, so I'm reliant on players
contacting me on what trophies they won!
Please e-mail me
kjstammers62@sky.com
I would also like to know what Teams (Pubs/Clubs) participated in the League each season between 1979/80 & 1980/81 seasons!
The missing records are from the following Competitions:- (PDF Version)
| Competition | Winners | Runners-up |
| League | 1948/49; 1981/82; 1982/83 | |
| Fargo Cup | 1980/81 | 1973/74; 1975/76; 1976/77; 1980/81; 1982/83 |
| Hatcher Cup | 1980/81 | 1980/81 |
| Singles Cup (Honeyball Cup) |
1951/52; 1980/81; 1981/82 | 1951/52; 1954/55; 1959/60; 1960/61; 1963/64; 1973/74; 1975/76; 1976/77; 1978/79; 1980/81; 1981/82; 1982/83; 1983/84; 1985/86; 1986/87 |
| Pairs Cup (Passfield Cup) |
1981/82; 1984/85 | 1960/61; 1963/64; 1973/74; 1975/76; 1978/79; 1980/81; 1981/82; 1984/85; 1985/86 |
| Captains Cup (Royal Steamer Cup) |
1973/74; 1974/75; 1978/79; 1981/82 | 1973/74; 1974/75; 1975/76; 1976/77; 1978/79; 1980/81; 1981/82; 1982/83; 1983/84; 1985/86 |
| Secretaries Cup (Spread Eagle Cup) |
1966/67; 1972/73; 1973/74; 1975/76; 1980/81; 1981/82 | 1964/65; 1966/67; 1972/73/ 1973/74; 1974/75; 1975/76; 1978/79; 1980/81; 1981/82; 1983/84; 1984/85; 1985/86 |
| Landlords Cup (Prince of Wales Cup) |
1980/81; 1981/82 | 1971/72; 1972/73/ 1973/74; 1974/75; 1975/76; 1976/77; 1978/79; 1979/80; 1980/81; 1981/82 |
| Dibble Shield | 1970/71; 1977/78; 1980/81; 1981/82; 1985/86 |
Governing Bodies Over the Years (as known... this is not comprehensive pre-1984)
1948 - Mr A. Honeyball (Founder and Chairman)
1950 - Mr A. Honeyball (Chairman); Mr A. Hart (Honourable Secretary); Mr R. Sheavill (Honourable Treasurer)
1953 - Mr A. Honeyball (Chairman); Mr R. Fiske (Honourable Secretary); Mr V. Flint (Honourable Treasurer)
1955 - Mr R. Noakes (Chairman); Mr R. Fiske (Honourable Secretary); Mr V. Flint (Honourable Treasurer)
1961 - Mr V. Flint (Chairman); Mr T. Dibble (Honourable Secretary);
1962 - Mr V. Flint (Chairman); Mr A. Hunt (Honourable Secretary);
1963 - Mr W Brockbank (Chairman);
1964 - Mr W. Brockbank (Chairman); John Lockwood (Vice Chairman); Ray Bull (Secretary); Mrs Brockbank (Treasurer)
1964 - Mr W. Brockbank (Chairman); Mr P. Lincoln (Vice Chairman); Ray Bull (Secretary); Mrs Brockbank (Treasurer)
1970 - Mr E. Baker (Chairman); Mr R. E. Clough (Secretary)
1976 - John Lockwood (Chairman)
1979 - James Reynolds (Chairman); Gerry Coote (Secretary & Treasurer)
1980 - Bill Chapman (Chairman); Mr E. Chapman (Secretary & Treasurer)
1981 - Trevor Greenwood (Chairman); Michael Simms (Secretary & Treasurer)
1984 - Trevor Greenwood (Chairman); Michael Simms (Secretary & Treasurer); Kevin Stammers (Assistant Secretary)
1986 - Alfred Candler (Chairman); Michael Simms (Secretary & Treasurer); Kevin Stammers (Assistant Secretary)
1988 - Alfred Candler (Chairman); Ron Wood (Vice Chairman); Kevin Stammers (Secretary & Treasurer); Douglas White (Assistant Secretary)
1990 - James Wheldon (Chairman); Ron Wood (Vice Chairman); Kevin Stammers (Secretary & Treasurer); Douglas White (Assistant Secretary)
1995 - James Wheldon (Chairman); Ron Wood (Vice Chairman); Kevin Stammers (Secretary & Treasurer); Douglas White (Assistant Secretary); Dave Hall-Wilson (Summer Assistant Secretary)
1998 - James Wheldon (Chairman); Ron Wood (Vice Chairman); Douglas White (Secretary); Kevin Stammers (Assistant Secretary & Treasurer); Dave Hall-Wilson (Summer Assistant Secretary)
1999 - James Wheldon (Chairman); Brian Burgess (Vice Chairman); Kevin Stammers (Secretary & Treasurer); Douglas White (Assistant Secretary)
2000 - Douglas White (Chairman); Glyn Bridges (Vice Chairman); Kevin Stammers (Secretary & Treasurer)
2009 - Glyn Bridges (Chairman); Douglas White (Vice Chairman); Kevin Stammers (Secretary & Treasurer); Gary Holland (Assistant Secretary)
2011 - Matt Doe (Chairman); Senan Corry (Vice Chairman); Kevin Stammers (Secretary & Treasurer); Gary Holland (Assistant Secretary)
2013 - Senan Corry (Chairman); Adam Doe (Vice Chairman); Kevin Stammers (Secretary & Treasurer)
2016 - Senan Corry (Chairman); Adam Doe (Vice Chairman); Kevin Stammers (Winter Secretary & Treasurer); Jordan McManus (Summer & Assistant Secretary)
2017 - Matt Doe (Chairman); Senan Corry (Vice Chairman); Kevin Stammers (Winter Secretary & Treasurer); Jordan McManus (New Webmaster, Summer & Assistant Secretary)
2018 - Matt Doe (Chairman); Senan Corry (Vice Chairman); Jordan McManus (Secretary & Web Master); Kevin Stammers (Treasurer & Assistant Secretary)
2021 - Matt Doe (Chairman); Damain Partis (Vice Chairman); Jordan McManus (Secretary & Web Master); Kevin Stammers (Treasurer & Assistant Secretary)
2022 - Damain Partis (Chairman); Tim Roberts (Vice Chairman); Jordan McManus (Secretary & Web Master); Kevin Stammers (Treasurer); Julia Hemsworth (Assistant to Jordan)
2023 - Damain Partis (Chairman); Tim Roberts (Vice Chairman); Jordan McManus (Secretary & Web Master); Kevin Stammers (Treasurer & Web Master); Chris Boret (Competition Secretary)
2024 - Tim Roberts (Chairman); Damain Partis (Secretary); Kevin Stammers (Assistant Secretary, Treasurer & Web Master); Chris Boret (Competition Secretary); Julia Hemsworth (Assitant to Damian)