WHEN Winston Cadogan is introduced to the Circus Tavern crowd for his Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship first round clash, he will imagine that he is back in Barbados playing in just another darts tournament.
Just over a month ago, 44-year-old Winston earned the right to step onto the stage at Purfleet by winning the Carib Caribbean & South American Masters in Barbados - thus emulating his close friend and compatriot Anthony Forde.
Forde narrowly failed to win his first round match at the World Championship 12 months ago, but earned the respect of the spectators, the media and players by hitting six maximums and giving his more experience opponent John Verwey some nervous moments.
Since taking up darts at the age of 33, Winston has become one of the best darts players in the Caribbean in recent years.
A telephone technician at Cable & Wireless in Barbados, he was only attracted to the game after watching colleagues playing in the company darts team.
Prior to that, Winston had a distinguished judo record, representing his country in the Caribbean Championships in 1990.
However, it is in the last three to four years that his game has improved, and he attributes much of that to meeting some of the world's leading players at the annual DHL Barbados Darts Festival.
"I really admire players like John Part," said Winston. "It was great to be able to meet him personally when he came to Barbados.
"He has a great technique and I've been able to learn a lot from him.
"Last year, Colin Lloyd also hosted the Barbados Darts Festival, and I've been really impressed by what he has achieved and the way he has remained approachable."
Recently Winston has changed to playing with Eric Bristow signature darts because he feels the thicker barrel provides him with a better grip - perhaps a legacy of meeting the "Crafty Cockney" in Barbados.
The softly-spoken star from Bridgetown will have a number of supporters at the Circus Tavern to cheer him on - some of them family but many of them who have met him during the Barbados Darts Festival.
Winston arrived in the UK a week ahead of the tournament, accompanied by Len Warner from the Barbados Darts Association, to allow himself time to acclimatise and get in some solid practice.
Some of his British supporters have even organised practice sessions in and around Finchley before he travels down to Purfleet for his first round match against Erik Clarys.
"On the day, it's about how you play," says a philosophical Winston. "It will certainly be a memorable experience."
The 2006 Barbados Darts Festival will take place from 26 October-6 November.
Further details are available from ATOL and ABTA registered Tour Operator Sun Living on 01623 795365 or sun.living@virgin.net.
Tickets are still available for the first round matches at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship on Monday 19, Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 December. For further information call 01708 863838.