THE HISTORY OF DARTS

Dr. Patrick Chaplin's Darts History Newsletter Archive

Introduction by David King

I have known Dr. Patrick Chaplin (aka 'Dr. Darts') for well over two decades, during which time we have collaborated on various projects, research, and websites.

One of those projects was back in February 2010, when, after months of work, Patrick, with my assistance, launched the first issue of Dr. Darts' Newsletter (DDN), a monthly newsletter that brought his followers up to date on his research.

Patrick's idea was that DDN would be available only to subscribers, darts fans who were genuinely interested in learning more about the history of darts. Thinking that his publication would only interest a few darts fans, DDN was renamed Darts History from #147 (June 2022) to better reflect its contents, and is now circulated to subscribers in more than 100 countries!

Patrick preferred to restrict the publication to those who asked to join by word of mouth or via his website, www.patrickchaplin.com, and anyone whom those subscribers decided to forward the newsletter to; again, those interested in darts history.

Having issued his newsletters since 2010 and researched darts since 1985, Patrick believes it is time to present Darts History to the widest possible audience by making all issues available via Darts501.com. So much of darts' history has been distorted online, with myths continually perpetuated despite Patrick's Herculean efforts to publish the truth.

Also, in the past, many subscribers have asked Patrick for back issues, which has not been possible until now. I am pleased to say that, whether you are a current or new subscriber to Darts History, every single issue of Patrick's newsletters is now downloadable from here.

Trust me. You are in for many fascinating insights into the history of our sport.

Over the years, since 1996, Patrick has published several books (listed at the end of this article) on darts and pub games, complemented by Darts History. These include working with John Lowe (MBE) and Trina Gulliver (MBE) with their autobiographies. Details of all of his publications are given below.

If you are interested in learning more about Patrick's four-decade journey through darts history, please check out the Home page of his website. You won't be disappointed!

Patrick's research hasn't, of course, stopped there, as he has recorded and shared many more years of darts history, much of it published on his own website, which features over 300 articles.

Patrick has also been featured many times on TV and Radio, answering questions about the sport, and even his Dr. Darts Newsletter (now Darts History) was featured on the topical news programme 'Have I Got News for You' in October 2022.

It is important for any research to include evidence, as history can be distorted by those who take what may be written on the internet, in some cases, in good faith, as accurate. Patrick's research is steeped in historical evidence and has uncovered and clarified many myths surrounding the sport. These were especially evident in his groundbreaking book 180! – Fascinating Darts Facts (Stroud: The History Press, 2012), which remains relevant (and available) to this day.

My personal recommendations are his Darts in England 1900-39 – A social history (his PhD thesis, published by Manchester University Press), which reveals the full history of the game from Day One and 180! – Fascinating Darts Facts in which he debunks so many darts myths.

So, look at his books and, if you haven't already, visit Patrick's website, www.patrickchaplin.com, which also includes articles on pub history. I urge you to do so.

David King

A Message from Dr. Darts – August 2026

Hi Everyone,

I am so pleased that my friend of many years, David King, has agreed to work with me and lead this project, which brings every single issue of Dr. Darts' Newsletter/Darts History from February 2010 to date within reach of everyone on the planet who is interested in darts history. I already have subscribers in over 100 countries and, as David says, individuals can still sign up to receive Darts History directly if they prefer.

David has utilised his computing genius to achieve something I never could: to widen the Darts History family globally via Darts501.com, and I thank him for that and, of course, for his continuing friendship.

I sincerely hope you will all find something of interest within Dr. Darts' Newsletter/Darts History. Of course, you are always free to contact me or provide feedback via my website.

While I can still throw a dart, I will continue to bring the real history of darts to life.

Best wishes,

Patrick

Dr. Darts' Newsletter/Darts History Archive.

You may download individual copies in PDF format, or the full years in a ZIP File containing the years' PDFs, for personal use only. You are not permitted to reproduce, copy or reuse any of the contents for further publication, either on the internet or in printed form, without the written permission of the author. Dr. Patrick Chaplin produces all Newsletters and retains his copyright.

This archive has been made available in collaboration with Patrick: