Alan Evans

David Alan Evans (14 June 1949 – 12 April 1999) was a Welsh professional darts player and former World No. 1 who competed in the 1970s and 1980s.

Evans was one of the early faces of television darts and had some tournament success in the 1970s, including scoring the first televised 180 in the 1973 Indoor League semi final. By the time that darts had gained major popularity in the early 1980s, Evans's form had faded and he wasn't in the limelight as much as Eric Bristow, John Lowe and Jocky Wilson, all of whom found fame and success from the game.

Darts career Evans was one of the first players to appear on televised darts in reaching the final of the 1972 News of the World Championship, the first event to be shown in the UK, which was broadcast on ITV. In 1973 and 1974, Evans reached the final of the darts event on Yorkshire Television's The Indoor League on ITV.

Retirement and death Evans began to have health problems with his kidneys in the autumn of 1987, and left the darts circuit after the MFI World Pairs event in June 1988, which was broadcast on ITV. In June 1997, Evans played darts on TV for the first time in 9 years, when he participated against his old rival, Eric Bristow, in the Battle of the Champions event at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, broadcast on Sky Sports. Evans hit two 180s in the match, but Bristow ultimately won 3–0 in sets.

Evans died on 12 April 1999, at the age of 49 due to kidney problems. His funeral took place at the United Reformed Church in Barry. He was often mentioned in televised events by commentator Sid Waddell and usually referred to the "Alan Evans Shot" (three bullseyes) when a player required a checkout of 150.

World Championship results

BDO

1978: Quarter-finals (lost to Leighton Rees 3–6) (legs) 1979: Semi-finals (lost to Leighton Rees 1–3) (sets) 1982: 2nd round (lost to Jocky Wilson 1–2) 1983: 1st round (lost to John Lowe 0–2) 1986: 1st round (lost to Eric Bristow 1–3) 1987: Semi-finals (lost to Eric Bristow 0–5) 1988: 2nd round (lost to Jocky Wilson 2–3)

Career finals

BDO major finals: 1 (1 title) OutcomeNo.YearChampionshipOpponent in the finalScore Ref.Winner 1. 1975 Winmau World Masters David Jones 3–1 (s)

Independent major finals: 1 Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final ScoreRunner-up 1. 1972 News of the World Championship Brian Netherton 0–2 (l)

Performance timeline

+ WDF majors performances Tournament Event World Cup 1977 Euro Cup 1978 World Cup 1979 Euro Cup 1980 World Cup 1981 Euro Cup 1982 World Cup 1983 Euro Cup 1984 World Cup 1985 Euro Cup 1986 World Cup 1987 WDF World Cup & WDF Europe Cup Singles Pairs ? Team Overall

Performance Table LegendDNP Did not play at the eventDNQ Did not qualify for the eventNYF Not yet founded#R lost in the early rounds of the tournament(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin)QF lost in the quarter-finalsSF lost in the semi-finalsF lost in the finalW won the tournament