Gladiator plots route to world title triumph

Mark McGeeney: debut appearance at the Lakeside Country Club.

OLDHAM town team star Mark McGeeney will make his long-awaited debut at the famous Lakeside Country Club next Tuesday.

But he believes he can follow that by winning the BDO World Championship title!.

Stockport-based McGeeney isn’t short of confidence ahead of the eagerly-awaited tournament, and it isn’t difficult to see why. He has enjoyed a terrific breakthrough year on the BDO circuit, winning the British Open title — where he beat Scott Waites in the final — the Lincolnshire Open, the WDF World Cup with England and also reaching the World Darts Trophy semi-finals.

Number 11 seed McGeeney, who will play the winner of the preliminary round tie between Swede Peter Sajwani and Maltby-le-Marsh’s Sam Hewson on Tuesday, is chomping at the bit ahead of the BDO World Championships - but first, he needs to find the venue.

“I don’t even know where the Lakeside is yet,” he admitted. “I’ll have to get my sat-nav out. I’ve been watching it on television for years and it’s always been a dream of mine to get there. It’s going to be a huge experience.

“There will be pressure on me, but that will come mainly from myself. I’m not a favourite to win so I’ll relax and do what I do. Nerves aren’t a problem, I’ve never been nervous in all my life. If I can play well, I’ll win it and I’ll bring the trophy to Oldham.

“All the players that are there, I know I can beat. It’s just going to be how I play on the day. I feel comfortable, I’ll win the whole lot!”

Extensive BBC and BT Sport tv coverage of the tournament begins on the opening day on Saturday, January 2.