Biography
Kirk Shepherd has already written one of the most remarkable chapters in the history of the sport, when a young man lived the dream… now he faces an even bigger challenge – turning dreams into reality.
Since stunning the world of darts by reaching the final of the World Championship, the 22-year-old has suffered from ‘second year syndrome’ as he failed to live up to expectations after his glorious run at the Alexandra Palace.
“It’s been a very difficult time,” he admitted. “But I am in it for the long haul and I will prove all the doubters wrong.”
There was a lot of press speculation that Shepherd was set to switch back to the British Darts Organisation in 2009 but nothing could be further from the truth.
”I am sticking with the PDC,” he said. “I have no intention of leaving. This is where the future of darts is and I want to play a big part in that future.”
There is no doubt that Shepherd faces a make-or-break 2009 but he is ready for the challenge.
“I want to be in all the big TV tournaments and to prove that I am not a one-hit wonder. That means proving something to myself as well as all the critics,” he added.
He was a virtual unknown and a qualifier when he stunned the darts world to reach the final of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com World Championship.
It was a remarkable 10 days as Shepherd leapt from obscurity to stardom at the Ally Pally but it was also a heavy burden to carry on young shoulders.
“I believed that everything would click into place but it just didn’t happen after the World Championship,” he admitted. “The longer the bad run went on, the more the confidence drained away and I started to doubt myself for a time.”
“But there is only one person who can put things right and that is me… and I will.”
Towards the end of his difficult year, there were signs that things were turning round for Shepherd.
He reached the semi-finals of the John McEvoy Dart Classic in Ireland (losing to eventual winner Terry Jenkins) and there was a last 16 display at the Dutch Darts Trophy plus an appearance at the Grand Slam of Darts II
And he was unlucky to lose in the tie-break to Dutchman Jan van der Rassel in the 1st Round of the 2009 World Championship.
Shepherd will play every tournament during 2009, including trips to Australia, Canada and America as he aims to get back on track.
His brilliant achievement at the 2008 World Championship may now only be a memory but what a memory to cherish.
He won £50,000 as runner-up, was promoted to the ‘Contender; category by Unicorn, quit his job as a sheet-metal worker in his home town of Ramsgate in Kent and then moved up to Birmingham with girlfriend Emma and he is also to become a Dad for the first time.
Whatever happens in the future, it changed his life forever!
It was American artist Andy Warhol who coined the now famous phrase about everybody having their “15 minutes of fame.”
Shepherd said at the time: “Don’t judge me over a few weeks, judge me over the next couple of years!”
Kirk eventually lost to John Part in the final on New Year’s Day, 2008, as the Canadian claimed a third World Championship crown – winning the final by 7 sets to 2.
But it was an amazing adventure!
He certainly enjoyed having Lady Luck by his side as well… In the 1st Round, Terry Jenkins missed seven darts to beat him…..in the 2nd Round, Mick McGowan missed four darts for the match! The 21-year-old had it a little easier in the 3rd Round, beating Barrie Bates 4-2 and the drama continued to unfold in the quarter-finals.
Peter Manley was the fourth consecutive Team Unicorn opponent and in the final set, he missed two match darts to beat Shepherd! Manley actually led by 2 legs to nil in the final set, before Shepherd stormed back to win four legs on the spin and win it in the tie-break.
In a nail-biting semi-final, Shepherd found himself 3 sets to 1 in front against Wayne Mardle, only for ‘Hawaii 501’ to find some form and go 4-3 ahead. But Mardle lost his nerve with the finishing line in sight and Shepherd showed remarkable maturity for his age and clinched his history-making place in the final.
His brilliant run at the World Championship also earned him the title of PDC Young Player of the Year and a place at the Grand Slam of Darts.
Sensibly, Shepherd has invested the vast majority of his £50,000 cheque from the Alexandra Palace, as he looks to the future on and off the oche… but it will certainly help to fund his bid to push himself into the world’s top 16.
Shepherd served an impressive apprenticeship in the BDO – winning a string of junior titles.
He was crowned World Youth Master in 2003, won the British Teenage Open twice and was named BDO Young Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006. It has been a rapid rise.
He started playing darts aged just nine – following in the footsteps of dad Keith – and it all went from there for the Ramsgate youngster.
As a 15-year-old, he won the Blackpool Open – beating Terry Jenkins and Darren Webster along the way… that gave him the belief to give the sport a chance. In 2005, he beat former BDO No.1 Gary Anderson on his way to the Gold Cup Final, where he lost to Welshman Derek Williams.
His girlfriend Emma and mum and dad (Debbie and Keith) were at the World Championship for every second of Kirk’s magical journey… now he has to kick on and start to make a big impression on the PDC Pro Tour over the next couple of years.
As well as being passionate about darts, Kirk is also a Black Belt 2nd Dan in Karate!
Nobody can ever take away his fabulous achievement at the Alexandra Palace but Kirk Shepherd wants to be remembered for much more than that.