Manley was nicknamed "One Dart" by commentator Tony Green after hitting the winning double on numerous occasions with his first dart during his first televised appearance at the 1995 Unipart European Masters, where he eventually lost in the final to Mike Gregory. Manley was also known for his walk on and personality. Described as someone whom "darts crowds love to hate",[2] his antics sometimes led to run-ins with fellow players.
Darting career
Manley made his debut in 1996 PDC World Matchplay Last 40 to Paul Cook, 5–2, in Last 32 to Dave Kelly 8-2 and Last 16 his losing to Jamie Harvey, 8–3.
Manley's controversial personality rather than the quality of his darts was often the most notable part of his career[citation needed] and continued poor form resulted in his failure to secure a PDC tour card in 2012. Manley lost several major sponsors including darts manufacturer Unicorn as a result.
Manley is perhaps most famous for his long-running feud with Phil Taylor resulting from his refusal to shake Taylor's hand after losing 7–0 to him in the 2002 PDC World Darts Championship final. He has finished runner-up to Taylor in two other World Championships – losing 6–2 in 1999 and 7–0 in 2006.
His biggest tournament win was 2003 Las Vegas Desert Classic when he beat John Part 16–12 in the final. He is also the chairman of the Professional Dart Players Association,[3] a position he has held for six years.[4] Manley attempted getting a PDC Tour card in the Q-School in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 but was unsuccessful.
In 2022, Manley appeared in the inaugural World Seniors Darts Championship and reached the second round, where after winning against former BDO world finalist, Deta Hedman 3 – 1 he suffered a 3 – 1 defeat to old time rival Phil Taylor. Although not competing in the 2022 World Seniors Darts Masters, he made an appearance at the 2022 World Seniors Darts Matchplay in which he managed to reach the Quarter Finals after beating John Part in a deciding leg. His run was then ended once more by Phil Taylor. Manley entered the Modus Online Super League, in December 2022 in preparation for the 2023 World Seniors Darts Championship in which he pulled off a 4 – 2 win over Alan Norris.
Manley's refusal to shake Taylor's hand after his 7-0 World Championship thrashing in 2002 led to darts fans booing him for many years. The boos became more ironic and good-natured when in 2005 Manley changed his entrance theme from Chumbawamba's Tubthumping to Tony Christie's "Is This the Way to Amarillo". By the end of his career Manley was seen by darts crowds as being more of a 'pantomime villain' rather than subject to genuine animosity which had occurred previously. Manley has gone on to say that whilst the booing and crowd reaction was hard for him and his family to take in the early days, it helped him as his career went on and ensured his popularity on the exhibition circuit.[citation needed]
Despite being chairman of the Players' Union (the Professional Dart Players Association – PDPA), Manley was often the subject of controversy with fellow players. Most notably Taylor in the aforementioned incident, and also in the 2006 PDC World Darts Championship. During that tournament, Manley was accused of gamesmanship against Dennis Smith and in a later round against Taylor's protégé, Adrian Lewis. Manley muttered words to his opponent, resulting in Lewis leaving the stage in anger. Despite serving as Mardle's best man at his wedding Manley also had a notable spat with the former PDC professional player Wayne Mardle. Mardle accused Manley of being a cheat in his autobiography. Manley has also had notable spats with the likes of Roland Scholten, John Lowe, Rod Harrington, Dave Jowett and Wynand Havenga.
