2001 Blood On The Carpet - Poisoned Arrows (The Split in Darts) VOST Eng

"Poisoned Arrows" is an acclaimed episode of the BBC Two documentary series Blood on the Carpet, originally broadcast in 2001. Narrated by Jim Carter, the documentary chronicles the bitter 1993 split in British professional darts, which fractured the sport into two competing factions and triggered a fierce, costly civil war.

The Core Conflict: BDO vs. WDC (PDC)

During the 1980s, darts was a massive television spectacle in the UK. However, toward the end of the decade, the sport suffered a major decline in TV coverage and corporate sponsorship.
• The Establishment (BDO): The British Darts Organisation was led by its founder, Olly Croft. Croft ran the sport with an authoritarian approach and staunchly protected its amateur-governed roots. He refused to give top players more control or guarantees over tournaments and income, famously stating that the BDO "didn't owe anyone a living".
• The Rebels (WDC/PDC): Frustrated by dwindling prize money and a lack of opportunities, 16 of the world's top players—including absolute icons of the game like Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow, and John Lowe—broke away in 1992. Guided by player manager Tommy Cox and PR specialist Marcus Robertson, they created the World Darts Council (WDC), which later became the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).

The "Poisonous" Civil War

The documentary captures the intense personal animosity generated by the split.
• Bans & Boycotts: Olly Croft retaliated by completely banning the rebel players from all BDO-sanctioned events. The players countered by threatening a total boycott of the prestigious Embassy World Championship if the BDO didn't recognize their new council.
• Legal Warfare: The dispute escalated into a massive, multi-year court battle over restraint of trade. The legal costs were so staggering (roughly £300,000) that they nearly bankrupted the newly formed WDC, forcing players and manufacturers to pay out of their own pockets to stay afloat.

The Legacy

The "Poisoned Arrows" episode remains a definitive piece of sports history journalis

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