George Killington is very thankful to Archway & District League for pursuing his pathway to play in the PDC.

The 26-year-old’s association with one of London’s popular darts leagues began when his father, former England international Paul – who used to play pairs with Hackney’s late great five-time BDO world champion Eric Bristow in the 1980s - invited the former youth BDO British International title winner to join his team Kennedy’s.

The team also featured Kilburn-based Aaron Beeney, currently plying his trade with the Modus Darts Online Live League after recently losing his PDC Tour card.

“The only reason I played in Archway & District League is because my dad said to play in it,” he said.

“My dad is my hero. He is in my personal opinion the best player I’ve ever seen but everyone is going to say that about their old man.

“My dad is a cracking player. He said come out and help me in my own team. Then there was Aaron Beeney plus a bunch of old boys and that was our Thursday night team.

“It was a really good night out. The darts was good and the banter was brilliant. If Aaron went up and hit a 14 darter then I’ll go up and try to hit a 13- darter and then everyone is ridiculing everyone in good jest about who was the worst on the night but it was always brilliant.”

Killington last played for Kennedy’s in October 2018 but has every intention in making a return.

“I’ve not seen any of them for the best part for four or five years,” he added. “I’d love to see more of them but Covid was a massive factor. I moved away as well, also work, but I’ve got a lot of time for them.

“During my younger years in life they were a massive factor. They helped me grow as a man, not such as a dart player but as an adult. I’m sure they’re all very proud of me and when I do get to see them next they’ll all have a beer on me!”

Killington, a special needs teacher at Haringey Sixth Form College in Wood Green, reached the last 32 at the Cazoo UK Open at Butlin’s Minehead.

In his best-ever run in the ITV-televised FA Cup-style PDC Darts major since 2019, he walloped Jitse van der Wal of Netherlands 6-1 in round two before edging past Latvia’s world number 36 Madars Razma 6-5 to avenge a third-round defeat in 2019.

But Killington’s luck went in round four as he lost 10-6 to Dutchman Martijn Kleermaker.

He believes the progress he made can kickstart his chase to qualify for his maiden World PDC Darts Championship this December at Alexandra Palace.

Killington, currently world number 86, needs to get inside or near to the top 32 in the PDC Order Of Merit to gain an automatic spot at Ally Pally.

He came agonising close to qualifying on two occasions via the PDC Development Tour and last year’s PDC Pro Tour Order Of Merit but believes he will make it third time lucky.

“I want more than I got so far in this (Cazoo UK Open) tournament,” he added. “I know I can beat any player in the world but at the same time I know I can lose to any player in the world.

“I know what I’m all about. It’s just getting that consistency but once I’m consistent then I’m very dangerous.

“Last year was a nice thing on tour. I beat six out of the top 10 players in the world but I didn’t qualify for Ally Pally so that shows the inconsistency.

"I can beat anyone, it’s all about me. If I show up I show up and I do damage but if I don’t show up then I don’t do damage."