This star-studded ADC UK & Ireland Classic field has now been finalised, and it’s absolutely packed with the cream of amateur darts talent.

In other words, some of the very best players on the planet who fall into the category of “exceptional arrow-smiths without a PDC Tour Card.” Although, aside from those who have already enjoyed life aboard that particular boat, the rest are more than good enough to climb aboard themselves.

So, let’s take a look at what I’ve decided to coin the ‘runners ’n’ riders’. Although, for this lot, there’s unlikely to be much running involved, and as for the riding… well, I’ll leave that to your imagination.

In the spirit of neutrality, I’ve picked one player from each of the five nations represented, despite every one of them battling for individual glory rather than national pride.

HARRISON LEIGH (England)

The 2025 Upstart Open Champion – whatever the hell that is – hails from the dart-rich town of St Helens, which has already given us Dave Chisnall and Michael Smith. Both lads may have moved away, but they’ve somehow managed to keep that unmistakable Saints accent which, living nearby myself, I firmly believe should often come with subtitles.

Harrison, just 20 years old, has recently been stand-in appointed captain of the FC Windle Darts & Dominoes team for next season. An honour which, quite frankly, pisses all over a knighthood. But with a nickname like ‘Last Minute’, probably best to appoint a reliable vice-captain too.

How do I know this? My brother Glenn plays for them and describes the youngster as, and I quote, “A great player but a dirty Manc.” As our kid is a staunch Liverpool supporter and season ticket holder, that tells you everything you need to know about where Harrison’s football allegiances lie.

SCOTT WINDER (Scotland)

The Montrose chucker recently claimed the ADC Winmau Championship North title in Middlesbrough. Those bad boys aren’t easy to win, so fair play to him. He also has enjoyed two stints – his words, not mine – in the MODUS Super Series.

What Winder isn’t quite so accomplished at, however, is keeping his Facebook page up to date. Not something that’s likely to make or break his darts career, but judging by the speed of his social media updates – something confirmed by good friend and compatriot Danny Trueman – you definitely wouldn’t want him turning up if your house caught fire. He’d probably arrive a week later when your home resembles the morning after last weekend’s barbecue.

MIKE HUNTLEY (Wales)

A solid Cymru representative with the accent to match, making him sound like an extra from The Darling Buds of May.

Those in the inner circle will appreciate this one. Mike is often chauffeured around by Big Nige, who, alongside being one of the friendliest and most genuine blokes you’ll ever meet, has somehow never managed to finish a meal without decorating his shirt with at least half of it.

Known as ‘Babyface‘, despite almost being old enough to qualify for a free bus pass, Mike has been around the amateur circuit for years. A MODUS Super Series title and a couple of UK Seniors Darts Tour victories sit proudly on his CV.

There’s also an Out Out Bar & Grill title tucked away in there too. Worthy silverware, no doubt, although I’m fairly sure that one probably came with a free meal-for-two voucher rather than an actual trophy. If he took Nigel, he’d probably have needed to pack a bib.

SEAN McKEON (Republic of Ireland)

Now this player definitely is a babyface, and the relatively small number of years he’s spent occupying this planet certainly confirms it.

The 20-year-old Irish whippersnapper is apparently living in Kenya if you believe his Facebook profile. I can assure you he isn’t. Thankfully, Sean’s darts are considerably better than his attempts at humour.

Decorated at youth level more highly than the pitch of his own voice, McKeon is a WDF European Champion, an All-Ireland Champion and has represented his country on numerous occasions at senior level. This is the second consecutive season Sean has qualified for the UK & Ireland Classic and, once again, according to social media, he’s “delighted and can’t wait.”

Sorry, little buddy… you’re going to have to.

DARNELL McCRORY (Northern Ireland)

Not someone I was overly familiar with, so I embarked on a little fact-finding mission.

He does, in fact, live in Northern Ireland – not Africa, as Sean’s Facebook profile might have you believe – and carries the nickname ‘The Shepherd‘, suggesting he spends his days looking after sheep. What is it with these Emerald Isle lads and their questionable information? One reckons he’s living in Kenya, the other apparently moonlights as a shepherd. You really do have to take everything with a generous pinch of salt.

You’ll usually find McCrory plying his trade on the WDF circuit, where he does a pretty decent job of it too. Oh, and he owns a very cute dog and enjoys taking in the occasional local march. Pretty much bread and butter for plenty of Northern Ireland folk. That said, he does play a drum the size of a small house in a band.

Here is the full list of competitors – thirty-two in total, which conveniently saves you the trouble of counting them yourself and fits nicely into just about every draw format imaginable.

BARSTOW, Chas (ENG)
BORLAND, William (SCO)
CAKE, Stephen (WAL)
FORDE, Ciaran (ENG)
FOX, Shaun (ENG)
GALLAGHER, Dean (IRL)
GOFFIN, Callum (WAL)
HAINES, Johnny (ENG)
HALL, Graham (ENG)
HAYES, Gary (ENG)
HOLLEY, Sean (ENG)
HUNTLEY, Mike (WAL)
LEIGH, Harrison (ENG)
MARTIN, Robbie (ENG)
McCAUGHERN, Colin (NIR)
McCRORY, Darnell (NIR)
McKEON, Sean (IRL)
MOULD, Adam (ENG)
NASH, Terry (WAL)
O’HARA, Aidan (IRL)
OWENS, Jamie (ENG)
POWELL, Michael (ENG)
POWER, John (ENG)
PRIDE, Lewis (ENG)
RICHARDS, Alan (IRL)
SELF, Archie (ENG)
TURNER, Shane (ENG)
TOWNLEY, Ben (ENG)
WATSON, Barry (SCO)
WILES, Michael (ENG)
WINDER, Scott (SCO)

The action gets underway on Saturday 17th October at Bradmoor Farm in Aylesbury, where a healthy £13,200 prize fund will be up for grabs. That’s certainly enough to tempt Sean McKeon to make the long journey over from his “home” in Nairobi for another crack at the title.

We’ll have plenty more on the ADC UK & Ireland Classic as the event draws closer.