| Gordon
Shumway
He is Germany’s answer to Russ Bray and Sid Waddell - rolled into one!
Gordon Shumway is building himself a reputation as Germany’s ‘Mr Darts’ - he is the country’s top caller on the sport and also a co-commentator on DSF (German Sports Television).
He is part of Team Unicorn Global, joining three other German’s on the growing Unicorn portfolio. Andreas Krokel, Michael Rosenauer and top women’s player Irina Armstrong are also new German signings to the biggest brand in world darts.
He is aiming to become the first non-British caller in the PDC and is hoping to become the Master of Ceremonies at all the big PDC Pro Tour and ‘Majors’ in Germany.
“I truly believe you need a German on stage to introduce the players. The German crowds are great and - just like the darts - they are growing all the time. The sport is becoming bigger and bigger here,” he said.
The German Darts Championship - the first event was won by Phil Taylor - is now one of the biggest tournaments outside the UK.
He is also making a comeback on the oche after being forced to quit the sport in 1997 because of the dreaded dartitis. “It just happened…one day I could throw, the next I totally forgot my grip. I played with John Lowe 21gm Unicorn darts and they were my friend! Then, in one day, they were useless.”
He added: “In 2001, I managed to find a new grip and now I have my own set of Unicorn darts, it’s time to prove myself all over again - and win back all those titles I won when I first started throwing! The new sponsorship from Unicorn is the perfect motivation.”
He lives in Rodgau near Frankfurt... 38-years-old, he is married to Silvia and they have a young daughter Lilly. The pair are busy away from the oche, running a Telemarketing Agency with nearly 50 staff.
Shumway - much like Russ Bray - slipped into the caller’s role by accident, when someone else fell ill. He is busy on the German circuit as the top caller in the country. “The highlight of my career came this year, when I was in charge of a huge match between my idol Phil Taylor and Raymond Van Barneveld. It was all part of a ‘Meet The Power’ exhibition in Munich, which was just before the International Darts League tournament that Barney won.”
He has been in touch with Unicorn boss Edward Lowy for a few years and it was Schumway who asked him if Unicorn could sponsor the two German players Krokel and Rosenauer. He has also been following Taylor since 1994. “ I have his signature as a tattoo on my right arm and ‘The Power’ tattoo on my left hand! I also have a big collection of Taylor memorabilia at home and in the office.”
Gordon, who has also called Wayne Mardle and other player’s exhibitions in Germany, and quite simply, if you want to know anything about German darts, Gordon is your man!
He has also had the seal of approval from Unicorn’s unique Mr.Russ Bray - so he must be on his way to achieving his goal.
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