Market Drayton's Darren Whittingham set to take on the Power
Shropshire's Darren Whittingham was today preparing for the biggest night of his darting life.
The 21-year-old from Market Drayton takes on 15-time world champion and darting legend Phil Taylor in the quarter-finals of the inaugural Staffordshire Classic tonight.
Whittingham was one of four qualifiers to emerge from an 80-plus field at Fenton Manor in Stoke to reach finals night.
And that quartet will return to the same venue tonight in front of an expected crowd of around 1,000 to do battle with four seeds – Taylor,
Shropshire's two-time BDO world champion Ted Hankey, Andy Hamilton and Dave Chisnall.
And even though Whittingham, an ex-pupil at the Grove School who now works as a machine setter, has the toughest draw, he is guaranteed £300.
The prize fund is £5,200 with the winner receiving £2,000.