The Team Unicorn Story

Team Unicorn continues to expand with new players, new champions and new titles. Its position as the finest team of international champions in the world containing more major tournament wins and winners than any other is beyond doubt. It is perhaps the greatest recommendation of the brand that so many great professionals use and promote Unicorn Darts.

Started initially in the 1950s when current Chairman Stanley Lowy signed up the winners of the prestigious News of the World Tournament to promote the company’s darts, Team Unicorn now boasts 5 World Champions and 28World Championship titles between them. No other brand has more World Champions and more World Championship victories - and with Team Unicorn comprising Phil Taylor, John Lowe, Bob Anderson, Raymond van Barneveld, and Anastasia Dobromyslova, is it any wonder?

However, never a company to rest on its laurels, Unicorn Darts has now taken its stable of professionals from around the world to a new level. Not content with having 5 World Champions, it now boasts 6 in the Maestro Premier category, 2 players as Maestros, 5 Contenders, 8 Global, 2 Media and 8 very exciting new young players in Generation 180, which shows Unicorn’s commitment to the future of darts.

2013 sees Wes Newton joining the elite new grouping of 2013 Unicorn PDC Premier League players, only a heartbeat away from World Champion. The Premier League has taken the darts world by storm - as will this new Maestro Premier grouping of Wes New Newton, James Wade, Terry Jenkins, Garry Anderson, Andy Hamilton and Kevin Painter – all of whom have played in the Premier League.

The new look Maestros for 2013 are Paul Nicholson and Colin Osborne. Both are excellent darts professional at the top of their game, but just lacking Premier League status or a World Championship title. However, 2013 could be the year when they break these barriers and join the Maestro Premiers or World Champions.

The Contenders for 201 are Jamie Caven, Joe Cullen, Arron Monk, Devon Petersen and newly promoted Keegan Brown. These five players are exactly what they’re called; professionals establishing their careers in darts, snapping at the heels of the established players and likely to surprise many with their skill, dedication and "can do" enthusiasm. They know no fear and the world titles are theirs for the taking.

Media comprises Russ Bray and Gordon Shumway. Having one of the most recognisable voices in the world of darts, Russ Bray is now an important member of Team Unicorn. His familiar gravel tones are known worldwide and the cry of "game on" and the shout of "one hundred and eighty" have made "The Voice" a household name. He is highly respected as a referee all over the world and is hugely popular with darts fans wherever he goes. From Germany, Gordon Shumway is a top referee and commentator and brings an added international element to Team Unicorn.

Global has really came of age and now includes no less than 8 great darts personalities from all round the world and at different stages of their careers, including 3 ladies. More than anything else, this shows Unicorn’s commitment to darts throughout the world and to all dart players everywhere. Players of all levels, not just those at the very top, can make a valuable contribution to their chosen sport and Global gives Unicorn a chance to support these players.

Krzysztof Kciuk (Poland) has recently joined Global which also includes Irina Armstrong (born Russia, lives Germany), Barry Jouannet (Australia), Michael Rosenauer and Steffi Luck (both Germany), Tomanori Takeda  (Japan), Tricia Wright (England) and Nandor Bezzeg (Hungary).

Launched in 2007 Generation 180 is specifically for Academy and junior players, who are the future of the sport. This category received a massive boost when Arron Monk (now promoted to Contender) became PDC Unicorn Under 21 World Champion and typifies Unicorn’s absolute long term commitment to the grass roots game.

Current Generation 180 players are Sean White, Dan Read, Jack Warner, Samantha Pyke and Gary Thorne (all from the Andover Academy), Harry Annals and Jack Marriner (both from Petersfield Academy), Harry Lane (Ashford Academy) and Jack Warner, who was recommended by Bob Anderson. 

16 times World Champion Phil Taylor is delighted that Unicorn are expanding their support of darts players.

"I am delighted to be a member of Team Unicorn, which continues to prove that Unicorn has its heart and soul in the long-term development of darts."

"We have been at the forefront of darts innovation, development and sponsorship for over 70 years," said Unicorn Managing Director Edward Lowy, "and the expanded Team Unicorn will be at the heart of the promotion of our products, not only at home in the UK, but throughout the darts world."