TONY ECCLES has secured a unique sponsorship, which will see him backed by a consortium of fans in 2009.
The Superstars of Darts internet forum saw over 100 members purchase £25 shares in the scheme, before voting on which player would receive almost £4,000 in sponsorship.
Eccles picked up 40 percent of the votes in the third round of voting to win the sponsorship, ahead of Chris Mason, Kirk Shepherd and Remco van Eijden.
"I think that the idea of the forum members clubbing together and sponsoring a dart player is great," said Eccles, currently ranked 29th on the PDC Order of Merit.
"With the current economical climate it is extremely difficult to obtain sponsors and so pay the high costs to keep on the PDC tour.
"I currently am full time professional and without a sponsor I am really struggling.
"The total cost for entries alone this year is £4,000 so even covering part of that is a massive help to a family man like me. This means a lot to me and my wife."
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