Biography
Unicorn has an uncanny knack of unearthing little jewels and in Laura Tye, the biggest darts company in the world believes it has found a diamond in women's darts.
And when one of the greatest darts players of all time spots potential darting talent, you tend to sit up and take note ... well, that's exactly what happened in the case of Laura Tye!
The legend that is Unicorn's former World Champion John Lowe is responsible for helping to take Laura to another level, as she fights her way to the top of the ladies game.
And the girl nicknamed 'Dragon' is certainly starting to breathe fire into the Ladies game! The 19-year-old has won the 2007 Macclesfield Open - beating an experienced field and not so long ago, she teamed up with top darts star Darryl Fitton to reach the semi-finals of the mixed pairs at the Welsh Masters.
Lowe believes Laura is a future world champion and his recommendation was enough for Unicorn to tie the talented teenager to a three-year sponsorship deal.
'Old Stoneface' firmly believes that Laura has the ability to challenge six-times World Champion Trina Gulliver. "I think she has the potential and ability to knock Trina off her perch," he said. "Ladies darts needs a new star and I am sure that Laura will be that star."
Laura first shot to prominence when, aged just 17, she won the World Youth Masters at Bridlington in 2005, beating Holland's Carla Molena.
She plays Super League and County darts for Nottinghamshire and Youth County darts for her native Derbyshire. She hails from Chesterfield.
She said: "I seem to be playing seven days a week at the moment…that's how much I love the sport and I really enjoy putting in the hours. Darts is my life and I just know I will be World Champion one day. I don't want to be the next Trina Gulliver, I want to be the first Laura Tye!"
She started winning tournaments as an 11-year-old and the deal with Unicorn will give her a great chance of succeeding ... and anyone who can beat Eric Bristow must be worth keeping a close eye on! At John Lowe's 60th birthday exhibition night in Chesterfield, she beat Bristow in a leg and then just missed double top to beat 'Old Stoneface', who was forced to check out 120 to win!
Lowe said: "The name may not be familiar right now but the darts world will be hearing a lot more of Laura Tye over the next 20 years!"
Laura is also a big fan of all the 'Rocky' movies - and expect her to pack a punch in her own chosen sport!