Darts: Bransgore's Scott Mitchell honoured by World Cup call

The Lakeside champion was on Wednesday night named in the four-strong men’s squad to travel to Antalya in October to defend the title England won in 2013.

And while the national captain is relishing the task, he admits he will find it difficult to cope without his family and friends during 10 days in the sun.

Mitchell told the Daily Echo: “To be selected is amazing and I’m absolutely made up about it.

"It just goes to show what you can do if you apply yourself and things go right for you. Dreams can happen.

“When you think that 23 English footballers go to a World Cup every four years, to be one of four dart players chosen from thousands is a very special honour for me.

“I don’t think I’ve been that far away from home before and it will certainly be the longest I’ve been away from home. I usually go away for a few days and then get homesick and have to come back!"

“This one involves being away for 10 days as we play the Turkish Open at the same time but I’m sure it will be a great experience.”

Mitchell, who will play alongside Glen Durrant, Jamie Hughes and Mark McGeeney at the World Cup, has had a quiet schedule of late although he did triumph in the Legends of Darts Masters exhibition at Manchester Academy last weekend.

“Scotty Dog” defeated Eric Bristow (3-0), Bob Anderson (4-1) and triple Lakeside champ Martin Adams (4-3) and for the Dorset thrower it was the encounter with Anderson that stuck in the memory.

As a 17-year-old in 1988, Mitchell had met and played Anderson at Hurn Bridge when “the Limestone Cowboy” was the reigning world champion.

“Bob is one of my favourite players of all time,” added Mitchell.

“He was a lovely guy, exactly the same as I had remembered him as a teenager.

“Back then he had said that my style was good and that there was no reason why I couldn’t go on and win things - little did we know it would be a world title!

“It was great to touch base with him again.”