Historic BDO trophies listed for auction as bids exceed £16,000

A vast collection of historic BDO silverware has been listed for auction online, including the World Championship and World Masters trophies.

A total of 38 trophies and plaques belonging to the British Darts Organisation have been put up for sale via Lambert Smith Hampton.

Among the notable lots are the most recent Men’s and Women’s World Championship trophies as well as the World Masters, World Darts Trophy and Gold Cup trophies.

After racking up huge financial losses, the commercial arm of the BDO fell into liquidation in May 2020, with the 43rd and final BDO World Championship having been held in January that year.

The collection is the last remaining key asset of the BDO and is being sold on behalf of the liquidators ahead of the impending accounts statement to Companies House next month.

The auction runs until March 23 and it remains unclear as to where the trophies will end up, with a number of former winners rumoured to be lining up bids, as well as the UKDA – which took over the county system from the BDO in 2020.

At the time of publication, the current top bid for the Men’s World Championship trophy stands at £16,050, while the Men’s World Masters trophy stands at £3,350 and the Women’s World Championship trophy is at £2,000.

Wayne Warren and Mikuru Suzuki were the last winners of the respective BDO World Championships three years ago and were subject to a relentless pursuit from the controversial Chairman Des Jacklin – who eventually reclaimed possession of the trophies.

Jacklin was also embroiled in a lengthy dispute with John O’Shea – the 2019 World Masters champion who had refused to hand over the trophy but reluctantly did so following the threat of legal action against him.

Jacklin took to Facebook on Tuesday to firmly deny rumours that he had authorised the sale and would be retaining the proceeds.

The news of the sale was met with anger and disappointment by many fans and former players on social media, with the collection now likely to be split up unless a wealthy individual or organisation steps in.

The entire catalogue of BDO Championship trophies are now up for sale.
I can’t help but feel this is very sad. 🎯
Some of these belong in a sports museum or with the person who won them the most.
That’s just my opinion though.

— Paul Nicholson (@TheAsset180) March 7, 2023

I feel it is only right to point out the BDO trophies are at auction on instruction from the liquidator, like all businesses that go into administration, it is sad, but there are creditors out there who are trying to recover monitory loss.

— John Lowe M.B.E. (@jloweprodart) March 8, 2023

I’ve started a go fund page for me to get the Lakeside trophy back in my dart room

All donations greatly accepted

— Glen Durrant (@Duzza180) March 7, 2023

Not sure why the BDO trophies weren't sold to the WDF prior to the BDO going bust.
Most constitutions have the ability to transfer assets by approval to a similar entity, which could have been done before closing doors.

Would have at least prolonged the history of the game.

— Raymond Smith (@ShotGuru180) March 7, 2023

A sad day for darts seeing the legendary BDO Trophies all up for auction. So much history and so many wonderful memories for us and thousands of fans and players. We can’t quite believe it.

— Bullseye (@BullseyeTVshow) March 7, 2023

So much history of players past and present …should be in a sports museum for sure

— Luke Woodhouse (@lukewoody180) March 7, 2023