The League constitution for the 2024/25 Winter League season has been now been agreed by the Runcorn Darts League Committee and divisions for teams allocated accordingly.
The darts boom throughout the country shows no sign of ending and this is continuing to be the case here in Runcorn. From last seasons starting position of 50 teams, we have had a further six applications for newly formed clubs ahead of the Winter Season.
Unfortunately the Northern R Soles resigned from the league throughout the last season, and long standing side Wanderers have opted not to put a side in for the Winter Season. The league will therefore have 54 teams playing in the 2024 Summer League, making us the largest league in the North West and one of the largest in the country.
There is nothing in the league rules that specify how many teams are promoted and relegated from each division at the end of a season. However it is the view of the committee that the league champions from each division and those finishing in second place should be rewarded with a promotion for the following season.
With having 54 teams, it therefore made sense to have six sections of nine teams, with the No Match being introduced in each division to make it back up to 10 in a division.
Section One will see seven teams remain from the Winter League, these being Bogey Flickers, Total Confusion, Halfway Mixed, Runcorn Linnets, Beechwood Cavaliers, Bully Dogs and Clarry B. Windy Hill Bullys have been promoted as Champions from Section Two, with Halfway Peers also been promoted as Runners Up. Halfway Peers have moved to the Halton Royal British Legion and are now Village Peers.
Section Two sees The Lads and Northern Bar who have been relegated from Section One. Five teams from the Summer remain who are Has Beens, Doo Waps, The Roundside, Clarry Tats and Nomads. Section Three Champions The Con Artists and Runners Up The Willies are promoted to make it nine teams.
Section Three sees Halfway to the Fids, Northern Starks and The Royal who have been relegated from Section Two. They Royal have moved to the Lockdown and are now called Lockdown & 3 Smoking Barrels. Four teams from the Summer remain, these being Beechwood Bullets, Norton Arms, High Voltage and Wilsons Woodchuckers. They are joined by Section Four Champions Lockdown Lizards and Runners Up Halfway Bar.
Section Four is made up of Bang Tidies, Castle Double Tops and Quarrymen who are relegated from Section Three. Section Four teams from the Summer Season are Wine Bar, The A Team, Legacy Darts, Blue Oyster Bar and Northern Flytes. They are joined now by Section Five Champions Beechwood Originals and Runners Up The Prospect.
Section Five will see three relegated teams. These are Lockdown Legends, who are now called Only Fools & Muckas, Golden Arrows and Addy Chuckers, who have now moved to the Queen of Hearts and are now called King and Queen of Hearts. Remaining Section Five teams are Flight Attendants, who have moved to the Lockdown and are now Bully Swemps, Linnets Chuckers, The Fat 20's and Queen of Hearts Mixed.
Three teams have therefore been relegated to Section Six, these being The Warmy Wobblers, Bottom House and Low Voltage. Low Voltage have moved to Northern Bar. They are joined by six new teams:
Castle Greyskull - These will be playing from the Castle
Halfway There - These will be playing from the Halfway House and will share a board with Halfway to the Fids
Lockdown Lads - These will be playing from the Lockdown Bar
Runcorn Sports - These will be playing from Runcorn Sports Club (Cricket Club) and will share a board with Total Confusion
The Legion Buccaneers - These will be playing from Halton Royal British Legion
The Mighty Cucks - These will be playing from the Barley Mow and will share a board with Legacy Darts
Fixtures for the Winter League season are now on the website. There is a Secretaries Meeting at Runcorn War Memorial Club on Wednesday 23rd October at 8.00pm where sheets will be handed out, with the season starting the following day.