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DISABLED MARK INTO TV EVENT
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| UK OPEN QUEST: Mark Stapleton |
DARTS miracle man Mark Stapleton has bravely fought a life-threatening illness to qualify for the prestigious Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Blue Square UK Open.
The 41-year-old admits it will be a "dream come true" when he steps on to the oche at Bolton's Reebok Stadium after making it through to next month's Sky Sports-televised tournament against all the odds.
The competition has been dubbed the FA Cup of darts as pub qualifiers get their chance to make a splash against the big fish, with Stapleton potentially getting the opportunity to test his throwing skills against the likes of reigning champion Raymond van Barneveld or 13-times world champion Phil Taylor.
Illness has prevented the Christchurch man from working for more than a decade and he says darts is the only thing his doctor allows him to do.
"I've got a blood clotting disorder, which causes me to clot in my legs and it travels round my body," Stapleton explained to the Daily Echo.
"I've had embolisms in my lungs, one in my heart and one in my head. The one in my heart stopped my heart in 1996."
Having battled back from the debilitating afflictions, Stapleton, who also suffers from diabetes, has to take medication on a daily basis to keep his blood thinner than normal, meaning it cannot clot as severely.
But his health problems took another turn for the worse last year, when he was hit by a bout of pneumonia.
He said: "In June last year I went to the presentation night of the Christchurch League and collapsed the next day and was rushed to hospital.
"I had to stop playing for three-and-a-half months. When I came back I wasn't particularly good so I had to really work at it.
"It's a massive achievement for myself. I've had all these knock-backs and to actually achieve what I have is absolutely wonderful."
Stapleton, who has been living on the south coast since 1985 after moving from south London, has received support from wife Kerryanne and father-in-law Ian.
He is also keen to pass on his gratitude to Avon Plastics, whose directors Martin and Michael have helped fund his darts exploits, and team-mate Tony West.
Stapleton has been playing the sport seriously for 27 years after being introduced to it by his grandad. He competes for Fairmile on Mondays in the Christchurch League, the NADSS Club in the Friday Club League and for the Christchurch Super Club team.
Darts legend Eric Bristow, the crafty cockney', is to visit the Pig and Whistle in Westbourne on June 11.
The multiple world champion has promised to appear and play against the Pig weekly tournament winners.
There is still a chance to be one of the lucky few to share the oche with Bristow.
If you would like the opportunity to test your skills against the great man, take part in the pub's weekly competition on Thursday nights from 8.30pm.
For more details either ask at the bar or contact Chris on 01202 540061.
7:00am Thursday 15th May 2008
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