Reigning Lakeside champion Scott Mitchell eyes Wolverhampton glory
Saturday 7 November 2015 12:16, UK
Scott Mitchell is ready to mix it with the big boys when he takes centre stage at the Grand Slam of Darts and the reigning Lakeside Champion has said "never say never" to joining the PDC.
The Dorset-based part-time farmer will make his Wolverhampton debut against No 4 seed Peter Wright on Saturday night - live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 7pm, with 'Scotty Dog' also set to face 2014 runner-up Dave Chisnall and experienced Mervyn King.
Mitchell claimed his first BDO world title with a thrilling 7-6 win over three-time winner Martin Adams in January and heads into the so-called 'Group of Death' on the back of winning the Masters and World Cup.
He told Sky Sports: "I watched it and watched other guys from the BDO come over and I'm pleased it's my turn now.
"I'm in the group of death as we know and I think all the bookies have got me down to finish at the bottom of the group, so it's the first time in 10 months that I can come here and not have a big target on my back and be the red-hot favourite - I'm looking forward to that."
Mitchell opens his campaign against Peter Wright and he is looking forward to taking on the colourful Scot at the Civic Hall in his opening Group D.
"I've met him once and I thought he was a lovely, lovely guy so what's he's doing for darts - we're seeing another angle.
"We had the 'Crafty Cockney' [Eric Bristow] telling us what he was going to do so Peter has added a bit of flamboyancy to the sport and I just think anything like that it good for darts. I'm looking forward to playing him.
"It's a case about finding a bit more about myself this week."
Mitchell will be one of eight representatives from the rival organisation, with former Lakeside champions Martin Adams and Andy Fordham also making their first appearances at the event, but he is determined not to fall short at such a major televised event.
"I think I've been playing really well coming into this," said the 45-year-old. "I just won the World Cup with England and I won a ranking tournament six weeks ago at the England Masters so after the initial shock of being a world champion in the middle of the year with a big target on my back, I seem to be coming out of that now. This is probably the right time for me."
With a number of former BDO stars moving over to the PDC in recent years, Mitchell says he would always consider a potential move, but only if the terms were right.
"I'd never say never," he added. "You owe it to your family and if the right offer came along and it was right for me and my family then it would be very difficult to turn down I would say."
Live Grand Slam of Darts
Watch day one of the Grand Slam of Darts on Saturday November 7, starting at 1pm on Sky Sports 2.
By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
