Isle of Wight darts champion Henry Barney – who played for The Pointers Inn in Newchurch – won the News of the World Darts title at the Alexandra Palace in London on 25th April 1970.
At that time, the News of the World Championship was the unofficial World Championship. It attracted as many as a 250,000 entrants.
Winners of the championship have included legendary darts players Bobby George, Eric Bristow and Phil Taylor.
5 time World Champion Eric Bristow was told by his father:
“You’re not a proper world champion until you’ve won the News of the World.”
Although becoming News of the World champion brought fame, it did not necessarily bring fortune as the trophy was only worth £650 in 1970 (nearly £9,000 in today’s values).
On his way to the final, then 38-year-old Henry – who was said to be unused to performing on a stage – fell off after scoring 2 triple 20s. However, he dusted himself down and went on to complete his 180.
In the first round of the final at Alexandra Palace, then London and Home Counties’ champion Henry Barney came up against Midland Counties champion John Taylor, winning by 2 sets to 1, after scores of a ton, ton and 131 before going out on double 20.
Barney reached the final by overcoming North of England’s Dick Musson 2-1, finishing the deciding set with double top on his third attempt.
The final saw Barney defeat Western Counties’ Alan Cooper, who he beat without dropping a set with finishes of double 6 and double 19 to become News of the World champion.
A great achievement.