Alan Evans (darts player)

Darts player infobox
playername = Alan Evans


fullname = David Alan Evans
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date|1949|6|14|mf=y
cityofbirth = Rhondda
countryofbirth =
dateofdeath = April 1999 (Aged Age at date|1949|06|14|1999|04|01)
cityofdeath = Stockport
countryofdeath =
hometown =
homecountry =
since =
darts =
BDO =
PDC =
currentrank =
BDO World = SF 1979, 1987
World Masters = Winner 1975
World Darts Trophy =
Int. Darts League =
PDC World =
Matchplay =
Grand Prix =
UK Open =
Vegas =
Premier League =
tournament = British Open
World Cup (Team)
World Cup (Overall)
resultyears = 1975
1977
1977
achievement =
updated = July 1, 2007

David "Alan" Evans [ [http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=1&=%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c%2c&gsfn=Alan&gsln=Evans&gsby=1949&gsb2co=1%2cAll+Countries&gsb2pl=1%2c+&gsdy=1999&gsd2co=1%2cAll+Countries&gsd2pl=1%2c+&sbo=0&sbor=&ufr=0&wp=4%3b_80000002%3b_80000003&srchb=r&prox=1&ti=5538&ti.si=0&gss=angs-b&recid=3608449&recoff=1+2+3&db=ONSDeath93&indiv=1 Alan Evans ancestory entry] ] (June 14, 1949 - February 1999) was a Welsh professional darts player who competed in the 1970s and 1980s.

Evans was one of the early faces of television darts and had some tournament success in the 1970s. By the time the sport gained popularity in the 1980s, Evans form had faded and he wasn't in the limelight as much as Eric Bristow, John Lowe and Jocky Wilson - who all found more fame and success from the game.

Darts career

Evans was one of the first players to appear on televised darts reaching the final of the 1972 News of the World Championship - the first event to be shown in the UK. He also won the 1975 British Open, which was the first televised event on the BBC. In 1973 and 1974, he reached the final of the darts event on Yorkshire Television's Indoor League.

He won the Winmau World Masters in 1975 - which along with the News of the World, were the most prestigious titles in darts before the World Championship began in 1978. When the Darts World Cup began in 1977, the Welsh team of Evans, Leighton Rees and David "Rocky" Jones won the Team Championship and Overall Championship.

Evans was a participant at the inaugural Embassy World Championship. He defeated Alan Glazier before losing to eventual champion, Leighton Rees in the quarter-finals. At the 1979 World Championship, Rees again defeated Evans - this time in the semi-finals.

Evans made five more appearances in the World Championship, each time losing to a legend of the game - twice to Eric Bristow in 1986 and 1987, twice to Jocky Wilson in 1982 and 1988 and also to John Lowe in 1983. With the exception of the 1987 semi-final, these appearances were early round exits.On a tour of Scotland, it was reported that he finished on 3 bullseye's (150) 8 times.

Outside Darts

In July 1977, Evans faced boxer Muhammed Ali in an exhibition match at the Gipsy Hill Stadium (Crystal Palace), in England. Under the handicap rules of the match, Evans would only score points for hitting trebles - Ali was able to hit the bullseye to win the match and proclaim himself the Darts Champion of the World.

Evans received a 12-month ban from the British Darts Organisation in May 1979 following an incident after an international match whilst playing for the Welsh team.

Evans passed away in 1999. He is constantly mentioned in televised events by commentator Sid Waddell and usually refers to the "Alan Evans Shot" (three bulleyes) when a player requires a checkout of 150.

References

* [http://www.patrickchaplin.com/Trivia/dart_trivia1.htm Darts trivia - Muhammed Ali beats Alan Evans]
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,4-1443632,00.html Reference to year of death]