Peter ‘Pop’ Brooks
PETER ‘POP’ BROOKS
One of the most enjoyable things I find about researching the history of darts is that it often leads to me learning about dart players who never quite became a household names but who, in their day, were shown to be of quality yet, for whatever reason, never made it into the Big Time.
Such a player was Peter ‘Pop’ Brooks. (See photo below. Peter is the player behind the smiling player.)
In May 2025 I received an enquiry from Harlie H.:
“Hello, I hope you are well. I am writing to ask where you got your copy of the Darts Year Book 1978 published by Unicorn. My grandfather [Peter ‘Pop’ Brooks, pictured in this photograph, second from the left, back row, above the player looking down] is unfortunately deceased and was mentioned in that book. I can’t seem to find any copies. Thank you.”
I had to tell Harlie that the book she mentioned was rare indeed but, although I could not find her a copy, I could send her the details about her father-in-law. Here’s what the Unicorn Darts Yearbook 1978. (Edited by Roger St. Pierre (Ipswich: Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd, 1978) (pages 74-75) had to say:
‘PETER (POP) BROOKS
Born December 17th, 1937, Staveley, Derbyshire.
‘Now in his second spell having retired in 1968 after playing competitively for twelve years. Re-started in 1970 and is now playing better than ever. Selected for the BDO [British Darts Organisation] Squad in the 1977 England-Wales International. Has played for Poolsbrook, Victoria, Royal British Legion (Staveley), Alma and North Wingfield and in Staveley Super League lost only one match in two seasons.
Winner of the 1974 NDA [National Darts Association of Great Britain] Men’s Pairs Championship with W. Snell and reached the last eight in 1977. In 1974 was also a Quarter Finalist in the Watneys Inter City Pairs. Member of the Midland County team which beat Wales.
Sponsored by J. Brooks, Bridlington, Fishing Cobbles, Yorkshire Lass, Sun Flower.
Exhibition availability: Fee £50 (week-ends). Contact: 33 Franklyn Drive, Staveley, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Throws right-handed.’
A further search, this time, in Derek Brown’s The Guinness Book of Darts (Enfield: Guinness Superlatives, 1981) revealed the following:
‘NDAGB Men’s Pairs Results
1974 Bill Snell and Peter Brooks, Royal British Legion, Staveley, near Chesterfield, beat Martin Carter and Doug Trundle, Woodmans Cottage, Gorefield, Wisbech.’
In addition, the programme for the International Darts Match Wales versus England held on Saturday 10th September 1977 (above) informed us it was held at the Rhydycar Leisure Centre, Merthyr Tydfil, Mid-Glamorgan. The list of England team members revealed:
‘Reserves: …
‘2. Peter Brooks plays for the Royal British Legion, Staveley, near Chesterfield, thus completing a Derbyshire treble with [John] Lowe and [Jim] Beardmore.’
Darts World – October 1977 (#59) carried a brief article on the event but it looked as though Peter Brooks was not called to replace any of the original main team.
Clearly, if anyone can provide any further information about ‘Pop’ please contact me.
© 2025 Patrick Chaplin
(The original version of this article was published in Darts History #185, August 2025.)
[Postscript: Following the original publication of this article, one of my Darts History subscribers, Chris Murray, was able to provide Harlie with a copy of the Unicorn Darts Yearbook 1978 for which Harlie was very grateful.]
Dr Patrick Chaplin 