Clydebank youth darts players on their journeys so far

Arran Dee, 14, and Connor Morrison, 17, are both members of the Clydebank & District Darts League which is held in the town, Drumchapel, and Yoker every Monday.

The teenagers joined last year and their talents have shone through with Arran qualifying for the league’s finals night and Connor taking home his first win.

Connor is currently studying construction at West College Scotland's Clydebank campus, but on his days off he heads down to Mackintosh Bar in Dalmuir to practise.

Connor Morrison (Image: Newsquest Staff)He said: “My granda got me a darts board for Christmas, it was only just before this that I joined the league.

“My granda also plays in the league so I came along so I could give him a game. It just went from there really and I started to properly get into it.

“A lot of players tell you things you can improve on that maybe you didn’t see yourself and you can go and work on it.

“Because of our age, there are teams that you can’t join but there are other ones that you can. Whenever I have free time I come down here and throw a couple of darts.

“It’s a great hobby and you get to meet so many people.”

The youngsters are limited in the number of games they can play and venues they can access due to Scottish licensing laws but they haven’t let this deter them from taking part as often as they can.

Arran, who plays at the Goodyear Social Club in Drumchapel, explained that despite qualifying for the league’s finals night he may not be able to attend.

However, the Drumchapel High pupil isn’t letting this get in the way of his development.

Arran Dee (Image: Newsquest Staff)The 14-year-old said: “I might not actually get to go to finals night because of the licensing issues which is disappointing.

“You just need to persevere. All of my family play darts and I started to really get into it in the last year.

“I enjoy playing in the league and I’ve seen progress in my development, people are always willing to help you out.

“It would be good to get more young people involved. It is hard at first but you just try to get better and once you do you stick with it.”

The league hopes to one day have its own junior league made up of around 13 players.  

Arran and Connor are hoping more young people will come along to the sessions and help secure the future of the local teams.

Connor said: “It would 100 per cent be good to get more young people involved. If some of the current players give this up, younger people can come in and take that spot, so the teams can last longer.

“The best way to get into darts is to practise at home and build up your confidence. Always keep going even if you’re going through a bad spell, it can change.

"If you push through it and ask for help from the league the other more experienced players will support you to get back to the same level or even better.”

Anyone interested in joining Clydebank & District Darts League is asked to contact Robert McLachlan on 07852 184477.