WEST BROMWICH ALBION'S footballers have found a new way to prepare for away matches - playing darts.
Led by goalkeeper and captain Scott "One Shot" Carson, the Baggies' squad now travel to away games with a Unicorn Dartmate amongst their luggage.
The squad now compete in a league in their team hotel ahead of games, as well as at their training ground, and Carson has revealed that darts has given them a vital method of team-building.
"I did a bit of searching on the internet for travel boards because sometimes when we get to the hotel they can be long days," Carson told the Express & Star newspaper.
"We took it to Blackpool and Plymouth and it gives the lads something else to do. It seemed to get everyone together a bit more.
"Every time we go on the bus we fling it on and it just gives the lads something to do.
"Normally we get on the bus for three hours, get there are 4pm or 5pm and, until we have our dinner at 7.30, we're sitting doing nothing, so it's good to do something, just for half an hour, and we have a coffee and a laugh."
Carson's former Leeds United team-mate Paul Robinson, who is now at Blackburn Rovers, recently attended the totesport.com Players Championship, and the West Brom star admits he is keen to see a PDC event in the flesh.
"When the World Championship was on around Christmas the lads were getting right into it," added Carson.
"We have always said, for a bit of team bonding, we would like to see the Premier League Darts, but, with it being on a Thursday, it's difficult."
West Brom's Chris Brunt told the club's website: "Scott is responsible for the sudden darts craze that has hit the squad.
"With the amount of away games we have, it passes a bit of time, and there's a bit of friendly rivalry going on. It's a tough game and you realise how skilled the professional darts players are.
"Scotty is the champion at the moment and he's good - but that's why he bought the board."
Coverage of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts is live in the UK in High Definition on Sky Sports. International viewers are also able to watch in Holland and Australia as well as online through the PDC's official website, www.pdc.tv.
2010 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Two
February 18 - The BIC, Bournemouth
Adrian Lewis v Raymond van Barneveld
Terry Jenkins v Simon Whitlock
Phil Taylor v Ronnie Baxter
James Wade v Mervyn King
Tickets for the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts at The BIC in Bournemouth are still available - call 0844 576 3000 or visit www.bic.co.uk for further information.
Click here for full Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Ticket Information