The Indoor League

Statue of Trueman in Skipton by Graham Ibbeson

The Indoor League was a pub games competition series that was produced by Yorkshire Television and aired from 1973 until 1977. The programme was hosted by former England cricketer Fred Trueman (1931–2006).

Background

The first series of The Indoor League began transmission, by ITV, on 5 April 1973 at 1 pm and ran for the following six weeks. The TV Times magazine dated 31 March 1973 contains a one-and-a-half-page editorial on it, featuring noted darts player Tom Barrett. Most of the competitions were filmed the year before transmission. From series 2 onwards, The Indoor League made its various competitions open to international competitors, and they played for the Indoor League World Championships.

Presenter Fred Trueman often wore a cardigan and smoked a pipe throughout his links. He always ended the show with the Yorkshire dialect phrase, "ah'll see thee". The programme's theme tune was Waiting For You by André Brasseur.

The show featured many indoor games, the majority of which were pub games, each of which had a prize of £100 for the competition winners. The sports included darts, pool, bar billiards, bar skittles, table football (a.k.a. foosball), arm wrestling and shove ha'penny amongst others. Among the commentators were Dave Lanning and Keith Macklin. The programme was broadcast from The Leeds Irish Centre, which was later recognised as the 'birthplace of television darts'

The Indoor League was created by Sid Waddell, who also produced the series from 1972 to 1976. Darts coverage on television was in its infancy, with the News of the World Darts Championship having just begun to be broadcast on ITV in 1972. Waddell would later go on to become one of the voices of darts on television when the World Championship was created in 1978.

In the first series, all darts matches were played on a Northern England "doubles dartboard" that does not have any treble scoring segments. The competition was restricted to players from within the Yorkshire Television region but, due to the programme's success, from the second series onwards the men's and women's darts competitions were open to all players from around the globe, and they played for the Indoor League World Darts Championships. In the final series there was also an international mixed darts tournament. The winner of the first competition received £100, with the runner-up getting £50. From the 1974 Season onwards, the winner of the men's darts tournament qualified for the BDO World Masters the following year.

The first two series were released on DVD by Network Publishing but are now out of print. All available episodes were repeated by now defunct UK digital channel FrontRunner TV.

Series air dates

Series	Tournament year	From	To	Episodes
1	1972	5 April 1973	10 May 1973	6
2	1973	27 September 1973	11 April 1974	13
3	1974	8 January 1975	2 April 1975	12
4	1975	1 January 1976	25 March 1976	15
5	1976	7 Feb 1977 (regions) 10 Feb 1977 (Yorkshire TV)	2 May 1977 (regions) 5 May 1977 (Yorkshire TV)	13
6	1977	9 January 1978	7 April 1978	13

According to the ITV listing magazine TV Times, programmes were shown by the different ITV regions on different days of the week and at different times across their schedules. Some ITV regions showed an episode of the programme one or more weeks later than other ITV regions. The details above are taken from TV Times.

Tournament winners

The Indoor League Men's Darts Championships

• 1972 Colin Minton beat Charles Ellis 2–0 (Played on a Yorkshire dartboard)
• 1973 Tommy O'Regan beat Alan Evans 2–0
• 1974 Leighton Rees beat Alan Evans 2-1
• 1975 Conrad Daniels beat Cliff Inglis (Championship of Champions)
• 1976 Leighton Rees beat Charlie Ellix 3–0 (Indoor League World Championship)
• 1977 Tony Brown beat David "Rocky" Jones 3-2 (Indoor League World Championship)

The Indoor League Ladies' Darts Championships

• 1973 Loveday King beat Jessie Catterick 2–0
• 1974 Greta Hallgren beat Millie Bergeson 2–1
• 1975 Jean Dickinson beat Brenda Simpson 2–1 (Championship of Champions)
• 1976 Jean Dickinson beat Margaret Lally 2–0 (Indoor League World Championship)
• 1977 Sandra Gibb vs Margaret Lally (Indoor League World Championship)

The Indoor League Mixed Pairs' Darts World Championship

• 1977 Ken Brown & Sandra Gibb beat Kevin White & Lynn Stewart (Indoor League World Championship)

Indoor League Bar Billiards Championships

• 1972 "Taffy" John 2,820–1,450 Malcolm Rider
• 1973 John Baker 2,400–1,440 Peter Wells
• 1974 John Peters 4,200–3,050 John Baker
• 1975 Roy Buckle 900–? Alan Sales
• 1976 Stan Pratt beat Gerry Lambert
• 1977 Not held

After the second series, The Indoor League Bar Billiards added the unusual rule of a 45-second maximum break limit. This was to allow full games to be shown during the 18-minute TV as breaks in bar billiards can go on for long periods of time.

Indoor League Arm Wrestling Championships

• 1972 Not held
• 1973 Donald "Buster" Witney beat "King" Ben Boothman 1–0

(Ben Boothman went on to have a successful wrestling career as King Ben with ITV's World of Sport Wrestling)

• 1974 Clive Myers beat Tony Lees 2–1
• 1975 Right-handed – Tony Fitton beat Tony Lees

(Tony Fitton left the UK shortly after this season to work in the USA. He was exposed in a Sports Illustrated exclusive in 2008 as being the so-called "Godfather of Steroids", contributing to the major steroid problem in American Sports during the 80s and 90s)

• 1975 Left-handed – Bill Richardson beat Paul Jordan

(Bill only entered the left handed competition because all the spots in the right handed competition was taken. He later won Universe Championships Mr Universe in 1980)

• 1976 Under 200 lb – Clive Myers beat Joe Graham 2–0
• 1976 Left-handed – Mike Winch beat Alan Jackson
• 1976 Super heavyweight – Bill Richardson beat Donald "Buster" Witney 2–0
• 1977 Under 200 lb – Clive Myers vs ?
• 1977 Left-handed – Mike Winch vs ?
• 1977 Super Heavyweight – Bill Richardson vs ?

Indoor League American Pool Championships

• 1972 Not held
• 1973 John Ashcroft 1–0 Ray Edmonds
• 1974 Willie Thorne 3–0 Ray Edmonds
• 1975 Ray Edmonds 2–1 Willie Thorne
• 1976 Not held
• 1977 Phil Tyas vs Dean Emmott

Indoor League Table Skittles Championships

• 1972 Philip Senior beat Dennis Jones
• 1973 John Chell beat William Woolwich
• 1974–1977 Not held

Indoor League Table Football Championships

• 1972 John Kropacz & Frank Bowett 6–0 Eric Crane & Stephen Kelly
• 1973 Speedy Campbell & Bervis Harris 6–3 John Kropacz & Frank Bowett
• 1974 Nelly Nelson & John McKrith 6–5 John Kropacz & Frank Bowett
• 1975–1977 Not held

Indoor League Shove Ha'Penny Championships

• 1972 Alan Brown beat Barry Stones
• 1973 Bryn Turner beat Alan Brown
• 1974–1977 Not held

1972 Indoor League Men's Darts Results

1st round Best of 3 legs

Quarter-finals Best of 3 legs

Semi-finals Best of 3 legs

Final Best of 3 legs

Ballam Bolton on Dearne

2

Sykes Huddersfield

Ballam Bolton on Dearne

Colin Minton Easingwold

2

England Barnsley

Colin Minton Easingwold

2

Colin Minton Easingwold

2

Gerry Haywood Dewsbury

1

Twigg Sheffield

Gerry Haywood Dewsbury

2

Gerry Haywood Dewsbury

2

Graham Elvidge Scarborough

Dodds Conisbrough

Graham Elvidge Scarborough

2

Colin Minton Easingwold

2

Charles Ellis Bradford

0

John Walker Hull

2

Hornby Upton, Lincs

John Walker Hull

2

Keith Naylor Scunthorpe

1

Bob Crosland Knottingley

1

Keith Naylor Scunthorpe

2

John Walker Hull

0

Charles Ellis Bradford

2

McDonald Wombwell

Les Mills Hull

2

Les Mills Hull

1

Charles Ellis Bradford

2

Reid Hull

Charles Ellis Bradford

2

All matches were played on a Northern England dartboard that does not have any treble scoring segments. The 1972 darts tournament was limited to players within the Yorkshire TV region. The winner received £100 and the runner up £50. There was no women's darts tournament in 1972. Only the final, two semi-finals and two of the quarter-finals were transmitted during the 1972 series of six episodes.

1973 Indoor League Men's Darts Results

	1st round Best of 3 legs					Quarter-finals Best of 3 legs					Semi-finals Best of 3 legs					Final Best of 3 legs
	1	Tommy O'Regan	2
		Cliff Inglis
						Tommy O'Regan		2
						Frank Crolla		0
	Frank Crolla		2
	Ivor Hodgkinson		1
											Tommy O'Regan (76.85)		2
											Des Stabb (56.00)		0
	Des Stabb		2
	Willie Etherington		1
						Des Stabb		2
						Ron Church		1
	Ron Church		2
	Charlie Ellis		1
																Tommy O'Regan (79.11)		2
																Alan Evans (69.15)		0
	Tony Ridler		2
	Harry Heenan
						Tony Ridler		2
						Colin Minton		1
	Colin Minton		2
	George Foster		0
											Tony Ridler (86.49)		1
											Alan Evans (91.88)		2
	Bob Whyte		2
	John Kelly		1
						Bob Whyte		0
						Alan Evans		2
	Gerry Haywood
	Alan Evans		2

Alan Evans, in his semi-final match against Tony Ridler became the first ever male player to score a 180 on Television. In the same game, Ridler also scored a 180 in the second leg.

The current News of the World Darts Championship winner Ivor Hodgkinson entered the tournament but was beaten in the first round by Frank Crolla.

The tournament featured several internationally capped darts players. Winner O'Regan played for both England and Ireland before becoming captain of Ireland. Willie Etherington, Ron Church and Des Stabb represented England, Bob Whyte represented Scotland,Alan Evans and Tony Ridler played for Wales and George Foster & John Kelly represented Australia.

1974 Indoor League Men's Darts Championship Results

	1st round Best of 3 legs					Quarter-finals Best of 3 legs					Semi-finals Best of 3 legs					Final Best of 3 legs
	Des Stabb		0
	Leighton Rees		2
						Leighton Rees		2
						Tom Brown		0
	Tom Brown		2
	Alan Glazier		1
											Leighton Rees		2
											Ivor Hodgkinson		0
	Stefan Lord		2
	Pat Mullings		0
						Stefan Lord		0
						Ivor Hodgkinson		2
	John Craine		1
	Ivor Hodgkinson		2
																Leighton Rees		2
																Alan Evans		1
	Joe Matthews		0
	Willie Etherington		2
						Willie Etherington (67.97)		1
						Alan Evans (67.52)		2
	Frank Brown		1
	Alan Evans		2
											Alan Evans		2
											Tommy O'Regan		1
	Peter Chapman		2
	Steve Rollings		0
						Peter Chapman		0
						Tommy O'Regan		2
	Tommy O'Regan		2
	Doug Priestner		1

Doug Priestner, hit a 180 with his first three darts in the competition. He played with John Craine represented of Isle of Man and Steve Rollings represented by South Africa.

1975 Indoor League Men's Darts Championship Results

	1st round Best of 3 legs					Quarter-finals Best of 3 legs					Semi-finals Best of 5 legs					Final Best of 5 legs
	Conrad Daniels		2
	Tony Ridler		0
						Conrad Daniels		2
						Peter Hobson		1
	Peter Hobson		2
	Doug Priestner		0
											Conrad Daniels		3
											Phil Obbard		2
	Leighton Rees		2
	Dave 'Charlie' White		1
						Leighton Rees		0
						Phil Obbard		2
	Phil Obbard		2
	George Foster		0
																Conrad Daniels		3
																Cliff Inglis		1
	Cliff Inglis		2
	Willie Etherington		1
						Cliff Inglis		2
						Harry Heenan		1
	Harry Heenan		2
	Andre DeClerqe		0
											Cliff Inglis		3
											Alan Glazier		1
	Alan Evans		1
	Alan Glazier		2
						Alan Glazier		2
						Peter Chapman		0
	Tommy O'Regan		0
	Peter Chapman		2

For the second year running Doug Priestner, hit a 180 with his first three darts in the competition. Cliff Inglis, hit back-to-back 180s in one of his matches.

1976 Indoor League Men's Darts World Championship Results

	1st round Best of 3 legs					Quarter-finals Best of 3 legs					Semi-finals Best of 5 legs					Final Best of 5 legs
	Charlie Ellix		2
	Willie Scott		0
						Charlie Ellix		2
						John Lowe		1
	John Lowe		2
	Peter Chapman		1
											Charlie Ellix		3
											Eric Bristow		2
	Stefan Lord		2
	Ken Brown		1
						Stefan Lord		1
						Eric Bristow		2
	Eric Bristow		2
	Alan Glazier		1
																Charlie Ellix		0
																Leighton Rees		3
	Leighton Rees		2
	Phil Obbard		0
						Leighton Rees		2
						Cliff Lazarenko		0
	Cliff Lazarenko		2
	Brian Vaux		0
											Leighton Rees		3
											Conrad Daniels		2
	Conrad Daniels		2
	John Stanton		0
						Conrad Daniels		2
						Cyril Hayes
	Bill Lennard		1
	Cyril Hayes		2

In the 1976 Indoor League men's darts World Championship players were redrawn after each round. And the draw above reflects this.

1976 Indoor League Ladies Darts World Championship Results

	1st round Best of 3 legs					Quarter-finals Best of 3 legs					Semi-finals Best of 3 legs					Final Best of 3 legs
	Jean Dickinson		2
	Susie Robertshaw		0
						Jean Dickinson		2
						Pat Piper		0
	Pat Piper		2
	Pam Langridge		0
											Jean Dickinson		2
											Maureen Flowers		1
	Maureen Flowers		2
	Cathy Wardell		0
						Maureen Flowers		2
						Loveday King		1
	Loveday King		2
	Eva Johansson		1
																Jean Dickinson		2
																Margaret Lally		0
	Brenda Simpson		2
	Ceiwen Potter		1
						Brenda Simpson		0
						Sandra Gibb		2
	Sandra Gibb		2
	Molly Gregory		0
											Sandra Gibb		0
											Margaret Lally		2
	Betty Hughes		2
	Sharon Brown		0
						Betty Hughes		0
						Margaret Lally		2
	Babs Evans		0
	Margaret Lally		2

1977 Indoor League Men's Darts World Championship Results

	1st round Best of 3 legs					Quarter-finals Best of 3 legs					Semi-finals Best of 5 legs					Final Best of 5 legs
	Alan Glazier		2
	Eric Bristow		0
						Alan Glazier		1
						David "Rocky" Jones		2
	Alan Evans		1
	David "Rocky" Jones		2
											David "Rocky" Jones		3
											John Lowe		2
	Cliff Lazarenko		2
	Rab Smith		0
						Cliff Lazarenko		1
						John Lowe		2
	John Lowe		2
	Doug McCarthy		0
																David "Rocky" Jones		2
																Tony Brown		3
	Charlie Ellix		0
	Bill Lennard		2
						Bill Lennard		1
						Cyril Hayes		2
	Cyril Hayes		2
	Stefan Lord		0
											Cyril Hayes		2
											Tony Brown		3
	Phil Obbard		0
	Kevin White		2
						Kevin White		1
						Tony Brown		2
	Mick Norris		1
	Tony Brown		2

Reigning champion Leighton Rees was unavailable at the time of filming the competition due to him touring Australasia doing dart exhibitions. In the 1977 Indoor League men's darts World Championship players were redrawn after each round. And the draw above reflects this.

1977 Indoor League Mixed Pairs Darts World Championship Results

	Semi-finals Best of 5 legs					Final Best of 5 legs
	1	Kevin White & Lynn Stewart	3
	4	Bob Crosland & Margaret Lally	2
						Kevin White & Lynn Stewart
						Ken Brown & Sandra Gibb		3
	3	Ken Brown & Sandra Gibb	3
	2	Peter Chapman & Brenda Simpson	2

During the second semi-final, Peter Chapman become the first player to a televised 180 in a mixed pairs game, and Sandra Gibb scored the first ever televised 180 scored by a female player.

The semi-finals and final in this mixed pairs competition were the best of five legs of 701.

External links

• The Indoor League at IMDb
• Indoor League at UK Gameshows web site
• Major Darts tournament winners