Stefan Lord is one of the reason I first enjoyed darts via the TV screen in the late 1970s. The fact that he has died aged 71 will not dilute his influence upon me nor on the game of darts.
A non UK player on the TV screen was a rarity in those early days and a non anglophone one even more so. Yet, Lord was hugely successful and even managed to win the notoriously difficult News of the World event twice in three year (1978 & 80).
Reaching the semi finals of the World Championship (twice) and playing international darts ensured the super cool Swede – as he was dubbed by Darts World magazine – attracted plenty of TV coverage and thus a lasting legacy.
Stefan made many friends with his winning simile and general demeanour as well as his silky smooth style on the oche. For an idea of Stefan as a person check out Dartoids account of a night out with th Swedish maestro here
His founding of darts clubs in Sweden will also ensure his name will live on in our sport.
Thanks for the memories Stefan, RIP.