Lifelong darts fan Mandy Stevenson has praised Speedy Hire for giving her an experience she’ll never forget, after winning the company’s Champagne Moment award.

The Wirral fanatic was picked at random to present Paul Nicholson with a bottle of bubbly after ‘The Asset’s’ stunning performance to beat Phil Taylor in the UK Open was chosen as the most sparkling moment of the entire four days in Bolton.

Around 500 darts fans voted for their most memorable performance of the tournament after sponsors Speedy decided to create a poll for them to find an official champagne moment winner.

Nicholson’s win over Phil Taylor received 38 per cent of votes with James Wade’s semi-final comeback against Mark Webster second (15 per cent) and Nicholson himself third for another outstanding result against current Premier League champion Gary Anderson (11 per cent).

Thanks to the generosity of the PDC, Mandy was given tickets to the World Matchplay in Blackpool and presented Paul with his prize on the oche.

Mandy said: “To stand up on the stage and meet Paul in person was a dream come true. He was wonderful to talk to and we hope his Speedy success will spur him on to more in the future.

Paul said: “I have never seen an award like this before, with a personalised Speedy label featuring my name. I won’t be drinking this bottle that’s for sure. I’ll be keeping it on the mantel piece!

“I’d like to thank Speedy for organising this. To win their champagne moment means a great deal to me, particularly with fans voting for the overall winner.”

For regular Speedy darts comment keep in touch by following @speedyhiredarts on twitter.

He might not have won the Speedy Hire UK Open outright, but Paul Nicholson can celebrate the next best thing after winning the company’s prestigious Champagne Moment award.

‘The Asset’s’ stunning performance to beat Phil Taylor 9-8 in the fifth round of the competition was chosen as the most sparkling moment of the entire four days last month.

Around 500 darts fans voted for their most memorable performance of the tournament after sponsors Speedy decided to create a poll for them to find an official champagne moment winner.

Nicholson’s win over Phil Taylor received 38 per cent of votes with James Wade’s semi-final comeback against Mark Webster second (15 per cent) and Nicholson himself third for another outstanding result against current Premier League champion Gary Anderson (11 per cent).

Darts fanatic Mandy Stevenson voted for Paul to win the Champagne Moment and was picked at random to win tickets to the World Matchplay in Blackpool, courtesy of the PDC.

She will also present Paul with his bottle of champagne in person on Wednesday July 20 at the Winter Gardens.

Paul said: “It was obviously a special moment to win against Phil Taylor and it’s great that so many fans enjoyed it so much too.

“Obviously I’d have loved to have gone on to win the Speedy Hire UK Open but winning a vote like this is a big honour and I’ll be delighted to accept the champagne in Blackpool.”

Mandy said: “I am a huge darts fan so to win this competition is a dream come true.

“Paul definitely deserved the award. He threw some phenomenal darts and to beat Anderson and Taylor in the same competition is worth some serious recognition.

“Thanks to Speedy this is the case and I can’t wait to say well done to Paul in person!”

Speedy’s group marketing director Steve McIntyre said: “There were so many memorable performance across the four days that we wanted to create an award to commemorate them.

“Paul Nicholson’s name was on the tips of our tongues, so it came as no surprise when we learnt that he had won.

“He is a worthy winner and he gave us some memories that we will certainly treasure for a long time to come.”

For regular Speedy darts comment keep in touch by following @speedyhiredarts on twitter.

With Terry ‘The Bull’ Jenkins providing the stand-out moment in round two of the Speedy Hire UK Open, we thought it only fair to pay tribute to Herefordshire’s finest! Leaden footed performance for the Ledbury man!!

Phil Taylor talks to Speedy after his 3rd round win. A nice mention for the silky skills of Leighton Rees

The official sponsorship of the UK Open has already exceeded expectations for Speedy Hire – despite the competition only being a day old!

The UK’s premier providers of rental equipment and support services has enjoyed its first night at the Reebok Stadium, as Speedy’s 32 qualifiers took to eight different oches for a night they will never forget.

A packed arena made for an incredible atmosphere for all involved and gave everyone at Speedy a night to remember, with the iconic Speedy branding reaching out to a huge audience.

Group marketing director Steve McIntyre said: “This tournament has already given us a number of memories to treasure – and we’re not even half way through yet.

“The audience has really got behind the players, as well as our brand as well, which has been a great sight.

“We hope to speak to as many fans as possible over the next few days. It promises to be a cracking few nights ahead.”

Speedy have been giving fans backstage access at the Reebok Stadium, courtesy of a YouTube channel which will feature a series of short, snappy interviews and features with the stars of the oche – not to mention some of the 32 Speedy qualifiers.

Wayne Mardle, Colin Lloyd and James Wade have already answered some quirky questions along with some of the biggest personalities in the darting fraternity.

Expect more in the coming days.

The pieces are available to view through Speedy’s twitter page, www.twitter.com/speedyhiredarts, its Speedy Hire Darts facebook page and right here.

Wayne Hawaii 501 Mardle speaks to The Viking! Tremendous stuff

It will be a case of Speedy by name, Speedy by nature at the UK Open in Bolton, as the official sponsors leave an immediate impression on thousands of darts fans.

 To celebrate Speedy’s inaugural sponsorship of the ‘FA Cup of Darts’, the UK’s premier providers of rental equipment and support services will be picking up the camcorder for some exclusive behind-the-scenes footage for supporters to savour from Thursday through to Sunday.

For the first time, fans will get backstage access at the Reebok Stadium, courtesy of a YouTube channel which will feature a series of short, snappy interviews and features with the stars of the oche – not to mention some of the 32 Speedy qualifiers.

 The digital development is an attempt to engage with as many fans as possible by giving them some snippets to savour from their favourite players.

 Speedy will also be targeting the WAGS with some quirky chats to camera, which will incorporate a handful of Speedy questions, known as the ‘Speedy Six.’

 Speedy’s group marketing director Steve McIntyre said: “The pieces are designed to be a bit of fun, which will engage with supporters away from the oche.”

 The pieces will be available to view through Speedy’s twitter page, www.twitter.com/speedyhiredarts, its Speedy Hire Darts facebook page and its official darts blog, speedyhiredarts.com

 Speedy is also finalising its plans within the Reebok Stadium from Thursday to Sunday, which will feature big red Speedy foam hands for supporters to wave, along with specially branded 180 banners.

 Steve concluded: “The Speedy Hire UK Open can’t come around quickly enough now, and we hope that everyone at the Reebok – and at home – will be able to make the most of our efforts to engage with them.

“We will also be tweeting and updating Facebook for the duration of the competition, so if people aren’t following us now, then we hope they will be once the action commences.”

With the Speedy Hire UK Open just hours away, we’ve given you all the lowdown on our 32 qualifiers and an interesting statistic or two behind each one!

Game on!

Player – Darren Pugh

Hometown – Oldbury

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Bristol

15 darts qualifying score – 485 points

Fact – Darren, known as ‘Daz’, cites his inspiration as his son Gareth, aged 13. Been playing in various darts leagues for 30 years.

Player – Stuart White

Hometown – Banbury

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Bristol

15 darts qualifying score – 410 points

Fact – Plays for Oxfordshire, and qualified with county team mates Jon Jukes and Martin Perring from the Speedy Bristol qualifier. All three also play for Three Tuns in the Oxford Super League. Favourite player: James Wade.

 

Player – Bruce Harrison

Hometown – Plymouth

Qualified – Bristol

15 darts qualifying score – 426 points

Fact – Plays once a week and only came across the qualifying opportunity with Speedy after the company told him about the Bristol event when in contact with them.

Player – Jon Jukes

Hometown – Oxford

Qualified – Bristol

15 darts qualifying score – 375 points

Fact – Plays county darts for Oxfordshire and Super League darts for the Three Tuns. Took out an 82 finish to win the all important leg of darts to qualify from Bristol.

Player – Martin Perring

Hometown – Banbury

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Bristol

15 darts qualifying score – 397 points

Fact – Only started playing one year ago. Won the Harrows double regionals, where the finals will also be played in Bolton (on June 18)

Player – Peter White

Hometown – Portsmouth

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Bristol

15 darts qualifying score – 255 points

Fact – His uncle is Derek White was the 1975 News of the World champion.  Didn’t think he had even qualified for the UK Open after his 15 darts at the Speedy Hire qualifier in Bristol, but he crept through and the rest is history. Only picked up his darts again two weeks before the Speedy Bristol qualifier on April 12.

Player – Charlie Cooper

Hometown – Bedmister

Qualified – Bristol

15 darts qualifying score – 335 points

Fact – Charlie has his Dad Les to thank for getting him to the UK Open, after he kept encouraging him to give it a go at the Speedy Bristol qualifier.

The youngest of all of Speedy’s 32 qualifiers. Les will probably be heard in the Reebok audience when play commences, if the qualifier is anything to go by.

Player – Damien Sherwood

Hometown – Hartcliffe, Bristol

Qualified – Bristol

15 darts qualifying score –380 points

Fact – Only read about the possibility of qualifying for the Speedy Hire UK Open when he picked up his local paper – the Bristol Evening Post – the night before Speedy’s Bristol qualifying event.

Player – Conan Whitehead

Hometown – Gillingham

Qualified – Dartford

15 darts qualifying score – 346 points

Fact – Gary Anderson is his darting hero. Played county darts for Kent for four years, and for London last year.

Player – Kevin Edwards

Hometown – Great Bentley, Essex

Qualified – Dartford

15 darts qualifying score – 289 points

Fact – Member of the Essex Super League and was a member of the PDC five years ago – once being screened on TV.

Best buddy in darts is Colin ‘Jaws’ Lloyd and would love to play him.

Player –  John Kennedy

Hometown – Hackney

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Dartford

15 darts qualifying score – 317 points

Fact – Had to borrow a set of darts from Speedy Hire to qualify, and is now trying to find them again for the Speedy Hire UK Open.

 

Player – Ian Covil

Hometown – Welling

Qualified – Dartford

15 darts qualifying score – 390 points

Fact – ‘The most talented darts player I have ever seen,’ said 2004 BDO winner Andy Fordham. Covil admits to ‘not taking darts seriously for 25 years’ but rekindled his love for the sport when he grounded his fishing rod to make the short journey to participate in Speedy’s Dartford UK Open qualifier on April 13. Qualified, then went back to the river!

Player – Craig Mucklow

Hometown – Chiswick

Qualified – Dartford

15 darts qualifying score – 415 points

Fact – Plays in the West London Darts League but said throwing in the Speedy 15 darts challenge was the hardest format he has ever been involved in. Darting dream: To beat world champion Adrian Lewis.

Player – Jamie Robinson

Hometown – Colchester

Qualified – Dartford

15 darts qualifying score – 470 points

Fact – Essex Super League, Essex County A player and one of the most impressive Speedy Hire qualifier out of the lot.

His 470 from 15 darts was the fourth highest overall.

 

Player – John Keating

Hometown – Strood

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Dartford

15 darts qualifying score – 259 points

Fact – The only darts board he plays on is the one at his caravan. Was said to be ‘shaking like a nervous wreck’ when qualifying from the Speedy Hire Dartford event.

Player – Eddy Martin

Hometown – East London

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Dartford

15 darts qualifying score – 352 points

Fact – Has not picked up a dart for six years, and retired from the regional scene 10 years ago.

Player – Stuart Daniels

Hometown – Ellesmere Port

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Stoke

15 darts qualifying score – 378 points

Fact – Hasn’t played the game for six years and said: “It is unbelievable that somebody can walk off the street and into a Speedy Hire qualifier, and onto one of the biggest stages in the sport.’

His all time dream: To play Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor.

Player – Charlie Appleton

Hometown – Warrington

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Stoke

15 darts qualifying score – 278 points

Fact – Said that qualifying from the Speedy Hire Stoke event was the most terrifying thing he has done in his life.

He finished on double one after about 30 darts at it.

Not played for 20 years.

Player – Andy Beardmore

Hometown – Leek

Qualified – Stoke

15 darts qualifying score – 423 points

Fact – Has represented England and plays on the BDO circuit. Plays for Staffordshire. Outside tip for progress.

 

Player – Robbie Green

Hometown – Merseyside

Qualified – Stoke

15 darts qualifying score – 357 points

Fact – The UK Open is ‘the special one’ for Robbie. Member of the BDO and once made the UK Open quarter final in 2006.

Nickname: Kong. Walk-on music: King Kong by Big T Tyler

Player – Paul Cartwright

Hometown – Oldham

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Stoke

15 darts qualifying score – 310 points

Fact – One of the biggest fans of darts, and travels across the UK to watch the PDC circuit.

He said: “Qualifying means I won’t have to pay for my tickets this year!”

Player – John Jackson

Hometown – Eccles

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Stoke

15 darts qualifying score – 250 points

Fact – Finshed on double 10 to qualify and said he was nervous for a number of days before the Speedy Hire qualifying event in Stoke.

Player – Kevin Simm

Hometown – Tilsey nr Bolton

Qualified – Stoke

15 darts qualifying score – 560 points

Fact – Scored the highest total from 15 darts than any other player across all of the Speedy qualifiers. Played county darts and also for England, and a member of the BDO.  Most impressive qualifier of all, according to Speedy Hire.

Player – Brandon Walsh

Hometown – Doncaster

Qualified – Stoke

15 darts qualifying score – 445 points

Fact – The Prince of Style, Rod Harrington, is Brandon’s cousin!! The 2^nd youngest qualifier from the Speedy Hire events.

Player – Kirk Gordon

Hometown – Livingston

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Glasgow

15 darts qualifying score – 232 points

Fact – Upon qualification, Kirk said: ‘Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would qualify.’

Player – Tommy Little

Hometown – Glasgow

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Glasgow

15 darts qualifying score – 217 points

Fact – Speedy Hire’s health and safety manager for Glasgow depot. Qualified on double one. After a few attempts at it!

Player – Charlie Burns

Hometown – Edinburgh

Qualified – Glasgow

15 darts qualifying score – 534 points

Fact – 2^nd highest 15 dart score overall. Plays for Silver Wing in the Edinburgh Darts League. Been trying to qualify for a competition like this for many years.

 

Player – Ryan Murray

Hometown – Edinburgh

Qualified – Glasgow

15 darts qualifying score – 444 points

Fact – Qualified for the UK Open in 2010, playing Jason Clarke in the first round.

Player – Gordon Foster

Hometown – Billingham, nr Middlesbrough

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Glasgow

15 darts qualifying score – 390 points

Fact – Made a seven hour round trip to get to the Speedy Hire Glasgow qualifier. Plays for the Smiths Arms in Billingham.

Player – Danny Jones

Hometown – Haydock

Occupation – Speedy

Qualified – Glasgow

15 darts qualifying score – 231 points

Fact – Having failed to qualify from Danny’s nearest Speedy qualifier in Stoke, he made a seven hour round trip to Glasgow to have another shot two days later, eventually prevailing. There’s a moral in this!

Player – John Donaldson

Hometown – Falkirk

Qualified – Glasgow

15 darts qualifying score – 364 points

Fact – A handyman and handy with the darts, although admits to: “Hands shaking like never before at the end of the Speedy qualifier.”

Player – Duncan Hastings

Hometown – Falkirk

Qualified – Glasgow

15 darts qualifying score – 390 points

Fact – Only discovered the prospect of qualifying for the Speedy Hire UK Open when trawling the internet. His hero is Andy Fordham, whose book he has recently read cover to cover!

He’s a world champion, a four time world semi-finalist, and the Viking is now offering some pearls of wisdom to the 32 successful Speedy qualifiers as they prepare for the UK Open in next month.

 Andy Fordham has been there, seen it and done it during a glittering career in the sport and was on hand to oversee proceedings at all four Speedy qualifying events in Bristol, Dartford, Stoke and Glasgow.

Andy Fordham is a man with a plan for Speedy's qualifiers

The Speedy Hire UK Open offered 32 staff and customers of all abilities the chance to compete in the event and while success at the Reebok Stadium might now be slim, Fordham said that by taking some straightforward advice on board, there might be a surprise or two along the way.

 He said: “The standard at the Speedy qualifiers was extremely high and I think every single qualifier should be proud of their achievements to get this far.

 ”I have come up with three simple tips for them to take on board from now on. Amateur players everywhere might find it useful too!”

 1. Practise, practise, practise!

In some ways, qualifying for the Speedy Hire UK Open was the easy part. The tough bit is getting the preparation right for the big event itself.

With that in mind, there is no substitute for putting in the hard work on the practise board.

In darts, you get out what you put in, which is why some good, hard matchplay in the run-up to the event is the ideal preparation.

 2. Don’t think about it!

 It might sound a bit of a contradiction, but some of the best advice I had was not to think too much about your game once you are up on the stage.

The moment any player starts to think about the way he is holding the dart, how they are hitting the board or even how they are standing, is the moment they are on the back foot.

If any tinkering or modifications are necessary, then make sure they are done on the practise board and not on the big stage!

 3. Play the board!

 The cream of professional darts will descend upon Bolton for the Speedy Hire UK Open, so it will be completely understandable for a player to be overawed.

While it is easier said than done, my advice would be to just play the board, and not the opponent.

You can’t affect the way the other player is going to throw, so just look after what you are doing and concentrate on your own game.

If that is enough to win then brilliant! If not, then at least you gave yourself the best possible chance.”

 Andy Fordham will be at the UK Open with Speedy to interview some of the players and speak with fans as the action hots up on the oche.

 The Speedy Hire UK Open will take place from Thursday June 2 to Sunday June 5 at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton.