Hackney’s heart of dartness
Captain Gordon Rodger and his darts team at The Albion pub, 94 Goldsmith’s Row E2
Wondering how to while away the dark and gloomy wintery nights? Brave the cold, shuffle along to your local, and begin your warm ups after ordering your first pint. Welcome to the world of darts – very much alive and well here in Hackney.
So what’s the attraction of a game that’s devoid of glamour, and more about lager? Is it actually a sport, and do our local players tire of the argument that it’s just not in the same league as other sporting games? Is darts just a pub game?
“Of course it’s a sport,” confirms Gordon Rodger, 52, darts fan, and captain of the Albion on Goldsmith Row darts team. “If I had it my way, it would be an Olympic sport. It’s up there with all the top games when it comes to skill.”
As a fourteen-year-old, Gordon discovered the game set to become one of his enduring and veritable passions. “I always told the wife, you better get used to it – I’ll be going down the pub and playing darts as long as I live.” And he has certainly lived up to his passion, playing at least four nights a week, and beating off competition and climbing to the top spot of the John Smith’s People’s Championship for Hackney.
“Unfortunately though, there are fewer and fewer places where you can play a good game of darts compared to a few years ago,” explains Gordon. “All these wine bars popping up over the place have taken over from traditional pubs, which is why I play in the Albion.”
Charming, honest and neighbourly, it is a haven for football lovers, with every inch covered in memorabilia of the beautiful game. With some of the friendliest staff around, the Albion is the place to relax – and, according to Gordon, what better way than to settle in with a game of darts.
“I am definitely a big fan of the social side to it – the drinking – I mean c’mon, we’re hardly athletes are we,” chuckles Jake Grimsley, 24, and member of the Albion’s team.
There is certainly a very warm sense of camaraderie on match night, and it’s difficult to get a word in edgeways among the players poking fun at one another. And no one is in the least bit perturbed that the opposing team turns up half an hour late.
“It does get really competitive when we play, but it’s not like we’re professionals or anything. We’re all just here to have a laugh,” says Jake.
If you fancy a game, a spot of competition, and bags of mickey-taking – Gordon and the rest of the team are more than happy to welcome you. “Our team is open to anyone who fancies it. Just sign up with Dave the landlord,” says Gordon. And as long as the beer’s flowing and the Albion’s door is open, this lot aren’t going anywhere.