World Darts Championship players are now able to wear the same colour as one another during matches after darts chiefs scrapped a rule that compelled players to bring an alternative shirt. And former World Championship star Matthew Edgar has opened up about the rule change during this season’s event at Ally Pally.
The World Championship is in full force, with Luke Littler cementing his place in the last-16 after thrashing Mensur Suljovic 4-0 on Saturday evening. He has already been joined by the likes of Jonny Clayton, Luke Woodhouse and Ryan Searle, while blockbuster stars Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Stephen Bunting have been knocked out.
Edgar, who appeared at three PDC World Championships, used to wear green shirts during his matches.
And on one occasion, he was forced to change his shirt to a different colour after being drawn to face Michael van Gerwen in a televised match.
However, darts chiefs ultimately abandoned the rule after PDC president Barry Hearn held talks with players.
And discussing the rule on his YouTube channel, Edgar explained: “When I played Michael van Gerwen, who we know wears green all the time, and back then I used to wear a green polo shirt…
“When I played Michael van Gerwen on TV in the Players Championship Finals, I had to take with me an alternate shirt.
“This happened all the time. It got tricky when you played someone like Peter Wright, who you don’t know what colour they’re going to wear.
“The highest-ranked player got to choose their colour. Imagine if you’re Phil Taylor playing Michael van Gerwen – world No. 1 against world No. 2. You could choose to wear green. He always wears green. He would have to change.
“As darts becomes more individual, as personalities were more encouraged, and with the meetings we had alongside Barry Hearn who was saying, ‘We need you to show who you are…’
“We need those individualities and those little bits that make our presence or familiarity. So the rule got scrapped.”
Van Gerwen’s green shirt will be on display at Ally Pally this evening (Sunday), with the Dutchman due to take on Arno Merk in the third round.
And Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen and Gary Anderson will all be in action before that match as darts fans look forward to a blockbuster evening in north London.
Littler is the favourite to win this season’s World Championship after getting the better of Van Gerwen in the previous final. Humphries is seen as the teenager’s main rival, with Van Veen, Van Gerwen and Josh Rock also expected to challenge for the Sid Waddell trophy.