Top darts player Andy Fordham, who died in 2021, will never be forgotten in Coevorden. Seasoned fans, friends and his wife Jenny reminisce about The Viking during a benefit match on Friday night.
He is an appearance that immediately stands out, Jan-Willem Diepeveen (44) from Meppel. Thick beard, cap on, wooden clogs with the logo of beer brand Hertog Jan on his feet. But despite his appearance, he will be standing on Friday evening in the De Loo conference center in Coevorden, looking like a groupie at the photos of Andy Fordham that are projected on a large screen. “Look. Nice, man!”, it sounds.
‘Darts is in your blood’
On display are personal photos of Fordham with his wife and two daughters, the lesser-known side of the legendary darts player with the telling nickname The Viking. Diepeveen loves it. “I am a big darts fan. Darts is in your blood. I followed Fordham. When he came up, someone came, you know. A great guy. If you met him, he was always up for a chat. One and all fun.”
Cult in its purest form
Stories about Fordham gush against the plinths on Friday night. The Viking enjoys legendary status. Not only because of his darts skills, he became world champion in 2004, but simply because of who he was. Fordham was a bearded castellan from Kent. A behemoth of a fellow, two hundred pounds clean on the hook at his peak – or low point, if you will. He could drink like no other. The story goes that on good days he sold two crates of beer. Cult in its purest form.
The benefit competition is intended to support Fordham’s family a little financially. Of course, Fordham earned prize money, but he usually spent it just as quickly. For example, an expensive eye operation for his father-in-law. His family is not well off, says Albert Lubbelinkhof (55).
Tears and stories
He is the former owner of café De Poort in Coevorden, which was a darts mecca in the Netherlands for many years. Fordham loved coming. A friendship developed between Lubbelinkhof and the world-famous Englishman. Lubbelinkhof already has to swallow tears at the first question. “Yes, this is an emotional evening,” he says with red eyes. “He was a real friend.”
Next to him is Jenny Fordham (60), Andy’s widow. Moments before, she was called to the stage under loud cheers and bells and whistles, with music booming in the background from I’m too sexy by Right Said Fred , the famous number with which Fordham always appeared on the scene. She calls the benefit competition “overwhelming”. “So special that everyone wants to support us,” she says.
‘He was big, but not loud’
“It was two difficult years. I live with the kids and my dad. I work and I take care of my father. That is it.” Her hand slides over her phone case, which bears a decal of Fordham’s signature Viking helmet for years. “It was big, but it wasn’t loud,” she says.
It’s quiet for a moment. “I miss his smile, his humour. He often made lunch for my father and went out with him.” According to her, Andy was working on a comeback. “He hadn’t drunk for 14 years, had lost a lot of weight and trained to get fit again.”
“Andy never did any preparation”
In the meantime, Zaal De Loo is filling up, with mainly large men, richly colored with tattoos. Famous names like Tony O’Shea, Darryl Fitton and Heybach Hooligan – former FC Twente football player Jeroen Heubach – play games against each other.
Local darts hero Albertinus Essers (54) from Coevorden is also present. “What a man Andy was,” he says. He remembers the yards of beer and shandy Fordham downed, but also his relaxed attitude. “Andy never prepared. I once asked him if he was ready for his game. He laughed, picked up three arrows and threw them into the board without looking. “Now I’m warm,” he said. Esser chuckles. “Then he pulverized Barney.”