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‘DR. DARTS’ IS MADE RESEARCH
FELLOW
 Following
my award of PhD by the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Cambridge, in December
2006 and my formal graduation in November 2007, I am absolutely thrilled to
announce that my work has been further recognised by the University.
On 21st April
I received a letter from Professor Monika Pruetzel-Thomas, Pro Vice Chancellor
and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences at ARU confirming my
designation as Research Fellow in History.
This designation gives me
a formal affiliation with Anglia Ruskin University and, although it is a nominal
title, it does give me the authority of the University; the value being that
when I visit libraries, archives, etc., it provides me with serious academic
credentials.
I will also be able to
use my new title in the ‘blurb’ on the back of my book, Darts in
England 1900-1939 – a social history,
which will be published in the Spring of 2009 by Manchester University Press.
The designation of
Research Fellow in History is for a period of two years in the first instance,
until 31st May 2010, but it can be extended by mutual agreement.
Clearly the title of
Research Fellow in History will enable me to continue my darts research at the
highest level (whilst also pursuing my research at a more ‘local’ level too).
This will not only raise my personal profile within my area of research but also
- and perhaps more importantly – the profile of the sport of darts.
© 2008 Patrick Chaplin
Patrick Chaplin PhD - Darts Historian
 Welcome
to my website.
When I set up my original
Darts History website back in 2000, I had no idea how successful it would be or
indeed if anyone else out there in the global internet community was interested
in the history of the greatest of all sports.
In fact I have been
staggered by the response from darts fans and within a comparatively short time
this website has become among the most popular darts sites on the planet.
For those visiting for
the first time ever, my name is Dr. Patrick Chaplin, I live in the UK with my
wife Maureen and cat Angel and now spend most of my waking hours researching
darts. I was born in 1950 and threw my first darts at a fairground when I was
seven years old. From the age of twelve I started to try and play darts
seriously. Between 1976 and 1990 I played for local pub teams both in league
play and in out-of-season friendly matches and even won a few in-house trophies.
I still play friendly pub
darts every week with some close drinking friends but have not played in serious
competition for over a decade. However, I never had any aspirations to become a
professional darts champion and indeed, 25 years ago I had no idea that I would
eventually become a real Doctor of Darts.
It was Tony Wood, editor
of the British darts magazine Darts World who first called me ‘The Doctor of
Darts’. Subsequently I have been called ‘eccentric’ by the prestigious UK daily
newspaper The Guardian and ‘an arrers nut’ by the UK’s most popular tabloid, The
Sun.
I own up to all of that –
and more.
In December 2006, after
more than ten years part-time, self-funded research I was awarded a PhD by the
Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. My dissertation, entitled Darts in England
1900-1939 – a social history will be published by Manchester University Press in
2009. I am, therefore, a real ‘DOCTOR of DARTS.’ However, that sounds a bit
pretentious, so ‘Patrick’ will do.
The purpose of this
website is to share my enthusiasm and my knowledge of darts with each and every
visitor. Its purpose is also to (eventually) reveal the complete history of
darts whilst, in the process, exploding a few myths about the game.
Through my website I am
encouraging those interested in the history and development of the game to share
and exchange information. Judging by the kind remarks I have received in the
past from contacts it seems to me that it’s working just fine. As you navigate
around the site you will find contributions from other darts enthusiasts which I
know you will find of interest.
I hope you enjoy my
website. I hope you will also return again and again to discover what new
articles have been posted.
Best wishes and extremely
happy darting to you all.
Patrick Chaplin
© Patrick Chaplin 2007
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