Double top booster for top darter

Saturday 31st January 2009, 8:46AM GMT.

Shropshire thrower Steve Farmer has been called up to the England squad for the forthcoming Home Internationals.

The Church Stretton darts ace, currently 30th in the BDO invitational world rankings, has been named as part of the 12-man squad to travel to Wales on April 4-5.

If selected, it will be his 23rd England cap, having played an integral role in the team over the last six years.

He has won 14 of those 22 previous appearances and was part of the four-man runners-up team in the 2008 World Cup in Holland.”It’s always a great privilege to represent your country,” said Farmer, who has been based in Shropshire since moving from West Bromwich in 1983.

And Farmer has double reason to be cheerful after signing a new sponsorship deal.

The 43-year-old has been backed by Welshpool-based security company Technocover until the end of the season.

He added: “It means that I will be able to do virtually all competitions. I really am very grateful.

“I have been looking for a sponsor for a few years now so it’s a great bonus.”

Technocover co-founder Jim Jones has known the player for the best part of 20 years and now owns the Bricklayers Arms in Shrewsbury, Farmer’s home board.