Late at night - 13th Oct 2008

A rather uneventful GDA day NOT jejeje.

It was, in the early morning to to be honest as I only received a few emails and a few telephone calls with concerns about the eXtra rankings.

We have explained it before to all the captains and previous captains from last year have known about the new structure for well over 6 months. Spread the word captains, spread the word please!!!!! Its in your hands to have an informed GDA about decisions you guys take part in. Its your responsibility.

What must be said is that members were possibly not sure about the exact dates but not even the committee had decided on the dates until just about 2 weeks ago.

I also received an email from Dave Obee about his choice of menu for the 50th Gala dinner and because of medical requirements they have opted for a simple dish like steak with no herbs or spices. I have to make sure I make a note of that.

Dave Obee has also confirmed to me my suspicions about the foundation of the GDA and he confirmed it was indeed 1958 when the GDA was formed and he was elected as president. He recalled he was 21 at the time so its more difficult for him to forget the exact year. He also confirmed that Joe Goldwin started the Civilian side of darts in Gibraltar in the early 1950's and Joe Goldwin states 1952 which matches things up rather nicely. The full report will be eventually posted on the Gibraltar Darts website http://www.gibraltardarts.com/

Joe Hernandez also confirmed that the GDA was registered as a Sport on the 25 March 1998, and Patrick Chaplin has been busy in lowering my hopes that Gibraltar could be one of the 1st to register the game as a sport as he has given me another association who registered darts as a sport way way back in 1978 (Cyprus). I'll have to be happy to say we were one of the 1st at the Gala Dinner!!! To be honest it most likely will be all the military based countries of the 1950's that might have taken the plunge to register the game as a sport as it was the British servicemen who appear to have been the ambassadors and who truly spread the game from the UK to the rest of the world (and very quickly caught on). This comment can be confirmed from a http://www.youtube.com/ video of Joe Hitchcock "6 inch nail thrower" which can be found in the following location http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZy8ZaT9icE

Patrick Chaplin has also highlighted the fact that the GDA could not have been affiliated to the BDO in 1963 or 1964 for that matter because of the simple fact that the BDO was not established until 1973 so Joe Goldwin's recording of that must be incorrect. I'll await the confirmation from the BDO as I sent them an email yesterday.

Anyways, its 23.37pm and I am printing off the menu for the 50th to give to the members at the rankings tomorrow which we are hoping attracts a few players especially I am thinking the younger players who prefer to have their Fridays to go to casemates instead, should be interesting to see how that unfolds.

In printing the menu I have redesigned it slightly 3 times not too much hassle but I have included the date, then the menu options and then a contact number so that we can get hold of people.

Anyways that's how the day will end for me so nite nite as I have another 280 printouts to do.

Oh I nearly forgot today is a historical day for the GDA and in goes with the theme of this post. It concerns my request for details of Joe Hitchcock!!! I received 4 responses from players to my request with links to websites, the youtube video and even a set of photos. This is a historical day I'll mark it on my calendar "13th October - I am not alone".