Russ Bray Names Most Underappreciated Darts Player Who 'Deserves More Respect'
PDC referee Russ Bray claims that one darts star is underappreciated and 'deserves more respect'.
Bray retired from full-time PDC officiating duties after the 2024 World Championship, but still calls World Series and Asian Tour events.
Fans will have heard his distinctive voice during the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Darts Masters events, which were won by Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler respectively.
The first ranking event of the 2026 season, the World Masters, has been taking place this week, with the PDC's top 24 ranked players, along with eight qualifiers, making the cut.
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The first round was relatively free of big-name exits, with the major exception being Van Gerwen after his 3-1 defeat in sets to Australia's Damon Heta.
Stephen Bunting, who has been invited to the 2026 Premier League, was whitewashed 4-0 by Danny Noppert - who some fans believed should have been invited instead - in round two.
Bunting launched a staunch defence of himself last month amid question marks over his Premier League inclusion, while there was surprise expressed by some fans that Gerwyn Price had been selected.
'The Iceman' was knocked out at the second round stage in the World Championship, but otherwise had a stellar 2025 and topped the PDC's ProTour rankings for the season.
Price has regularly faced hostile crowds throughout his career, though the Alexandra Palace crowd was notably more positive towards him during the 2026 World Championship than in past tournaments.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Bray said: "He is a fantastic man, he is a fantastic lad off the oche.
"On the oche, he wears his heart on his sleeve. He really does. He gives it his 100 per cent, and really gives it his all. Give him the respect and the cheers.
"I've just worked with Gezzy over the last week abroad, we have been in Belgium, Germany and Finland. They were supporting him and praising him.
"He is a wonderful dart player and, trust me, he is every bit as good a man as well.
"I can't say it enough. He is tremendous. He's very quiet - if he was on here now, he would sit in the corner, nice and quiet.
"You know, he's not loud or anything. He is not like what he is on the stage. That is his work ethic, if you will."
He continued: "He doesn't cheat. He shouts and screams at the right time. Respect the guy ... respect the guy, because he is a smashing lad."
Topics:Β Darts, World Darts Championship
Ryan Smart