Des Jacklin is set to return to the board (Credit: BDO Darts)
BDO Chairman Des Jacklin claims he has been ‘overwhelmed with the number of applications’ for the vacant Master of Ceremonies and referee roles after all five senior officials announced their shock resignations.
In an unprecedented move, Anthony Dundas, Marco Meijer, Nick Rolls and Charlie Corstorphine joined MC Richard Ashdown in tendering their resignations from the BDO within a 24-hour period.
That leaves the BDO without any senior match referees or a Master of Ceremonies just weeks before the start of the World Darts Trophy in Blackburn – one of the three blue riband events.
All five officials announced their resignations on social media but did not disclose exact details as to why they had taken the decision.
Speculation continues to mount over the BDO’s future, but a bullish statement from Jacklin on Friday night stated that a new-look refereeing team is being assembled and could be announced as soon as next week.
The statement read:
‘Following the recent resignations of the BDO’s refereeing team, BDO Chairman/CEO Des Jacklin has said he has been ‘overwhelmed with the number of applications from potential successors.’
‘The numerous applications, from both amateur and professional referees and MC’s range from BICC callers to experienced professionals well known across the darts world’.
‘These applications will be reviewed over the coming days and the new-look MC and refereeing team will be announced towards the end of next week.
‘On the subject of recent reports of the BDO being in turmoil, it has been for the last six years, however, only now have we entered a period of clarity.’
The statement was met with a backlash from many darts fans and players on social media which was fuelled by further suggestions from inside sources that two “household PDC names” are among those being lined up in the new refereeing team.
George Noble and Kirk Bevins have already dismissed the speculation, while Russ Bray is currently in Hong Kong refereeing the PDC Asian Tour.