The Horseshoe

DEVASTATING news in the darts world came as the World Matchplay series reached its thrilling conclusion this weekend.

The Horseshoe in Clerkenwell – the unofficial home of City of London Darts Association (CoLDA) that promotes “the arrows” across the capital – is shutting down.

The association has 500 members who would regularly play in tournaments at the traditional pub that has been taken over by new management.

Nathan Aspinall in disguise [Paddy Power]

In 2023, legends of the sport including Johnny Clayton and Nathan Aspinall dressed up in disguises and prosthetics to take on the regulars.

Owner Richard Tucker told me: “I’ve known a lot of the darts players here from day one. And as much as they are crying their heart out that the pub is going, they appreciate what I’ve done, and that I need to retire.”