On the 21 July 1945, former World No. 1 English professional darts player, John Lowe MBE, was born in New Tupton, near Chesterfield in Derbyshire, where he still lives.

One of the most talented and well known darts players during the 1970s and 1980s, Lowe is one of only six players to have won the World Championship three times [1979,1987,1993], and was the first player to win the Championship in three separate decades.

He met Eric Bristow six times in the World Championship in various semi-finals and finals, and it was not until his fourth attempt in the 1987 final, that he managed to overcome his great rival. His record against the ‘Crafty Cockney’ in majors was three wins and six defeats.

Lowe’s titles and achievements span a career of almost forty years, and is well known for being the first player to achieve a televised nine-dart finish against Keith Deller in 1984. Lowe won £102,000 for his achievement, and went on to win the tournament.

In his hugely successful career Lowe also won two World Masters titles, two British Open titles, two British Matchplay Championships, two World Cup Singles, and three European Cup Singles Titles, as well as countless other titles around the world..

He played for England over 100 times and was captain for seven years, during which time his team were unbeaten.

Although common in darts, Lowe never had a nickname, until someone came up with ‘Old Stoneface’, the title of Lowe’s autobiography published in 2005.

He was Secretary of the World Professional Dart Players Association, later to become the Professional Dart Players Association (PDPA).

21 July, 2019