Who is he?

Andy 'The Viking' Fordham is a World Champion darts player. Born in Charlton, South East London on 2nd February 1962, the first of four children, his initial sporting achievements were playing for the Angerstine Hotel Football Team1 and track and field events that earned him the early nickname 'The Whippet'. The Andy Fordham of 2004 is much less 'whippetlike', and his time as a pub landlord have no doubt contributed to his image as 'The Viking'. According to the BBC: "Fordham earned the Viking tag largely thanks to his large frame, fuzzy beard and a remarkably coiffured lengthy brown mullet hairstyle."2
"I am just a big friendly giant," said father-of-two Fordham. "What you see is what you get with me."

from http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/world_darts_2004/3388641.stm

Andy lives with his wife Jenny in The Rose in Dartford, Kent. Their two children are called Raymond and Emily.

Darting Achievements

From his early days making up numbers in the pub darts and being signed up to the team: "the lad's got potential3", Andy has played in the Kent Super League and at County level in Kent, Renfrewshire and London. Most notable are Andy's international achievements. He has represented England at four world cups, winning the Lakeside World Professional Darts Championship on 11th January 2004. Andy's champion honours include: Andy's big tournament record: He has previously won the British Darts Organisation Sports Person of the Year.

After the hectic weeks leading up to the Lakeside World Professional Darts Championship, Andy's first comment upon winning was:
"I can hardly talk, I'm just over the moon," a tearful Fordham told the BBC after the match. "When you get to four semis and you lose them all, you think your chance might have gone. On the outside I might have looked cool, but when I knew it was getting close I was nearly bursting into tears."

from http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/world_darts_2004/3387837.stm

As well as now being a World Champion, Andy has also been tagged the 'People's Champion'. After his victory the crowd gave a rousing rendition of 'There's only one Andy Fordham'. He is popular with fans and officials alike, summed up in a remark made by Robert Holmes of the British Darts Organisation:
"Andy is one of the nicest people in the sport of darts. A true character who is respected by his fellow players and loved by the fans."

Book the Viking

Andy's popularity on the darts circuit is huge, so huge that you can "book him to play darts at your establishment and treat your customers to a darting spectacular."4

Exactly what a 'darting spectacular' involves is not made completely clear, but an evening with Andy Fordham can include:
  • Special exhibition throwing by the World Champion
  • "Challenge The World Champion" competitions over three or five legs
  • Darts the Champion Way - an insight into tournament play and coping with the pressure
More information and pictures of Andy meeting his adoring fans available at http://www.andythevikingfordham.com.

Andy's Favourites

A brief insight into what makes Andy tick when he's not at the oche.

from http://www.andythevikingfordham.com/index.php?pageval=andytheman.php


1 There is no information on the web for 'Angerstine Hotel', but www.regularsreunited.com lists The Angerstein Hotel in Greenwich, London, which suggests that 'Angerstine' is a typo.
2 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/world_darts_2004/3388641.stm
3 http://www.andythevikingfordham.com/index.php?pageval=biography.php
4 http://www.andythevikingfordham.com/index.php?pageval=exhibitions.php

Written for Everything Quests: Athletes and Sports Figures

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