Mark 'Flash' Dudbridge Interview [February 2009]
Mark what was your first City game and how long ago was it?
The first City game I watched was City v Rovers at Eastville in 1983. I can remember this as I was being crushed when City scored and my Cousin Ian Dudbridge saved me and my Sister from being seriously hurt. We won 2 -1 and I was hooked on the reds till this day.
If you chose a decade to watch City in what would it be?
I loved watching in the early 90's when Andy Cole and Jacki Dziekanowski played together, they were exciting to watch and we always looked like scoring when they both played.
Which makes you more nervous. Watching City in the play off final at Wembley or playing in a World Matchplay final?
I would get more nervous watching City at Wembley. There is nothing I can do except shout my head off where playing darts is in my own hands.
During the 2005 -2006 season City lost nine consecutive games but also had Bas Savage falling arse over tit V Yeovil up top. Did you think WTF Johnson and what is your opinion now?
I always had faith in Johnson, I heard him speak at the South West Sports awards dinner when he managed Yeovil and hoped he would some day be in charge at Ashton Gate. When we had that bad run I was talking to Lewis Carey and he told me he was going to be good, his training was very good and the boys were enjoying themselves.
Mark why not change your nickname to Mark "Wurzel"Dudbridge?
My nickname probably should be Mark "Wurzel" Dudbridge
Your walk in music is Flash Gordon, now just because your nickname is Flash why not something more appropriate, more Bristolian, more Bristol City like Drink up thy cider? Imagine that at Ashton Gate!
I thought long and hard about coming out to drink up thy cider, but when I started on the P.D.C. circuit Barry Hearn was trying to clean up the darts image and a drinking song didn't fit the bill at the time. However I love the song itself and have it as a ring tune on my phone. Maybe the Wurzels will sing the flash tune for me one day.
What was it like playing darts at Ashton Gate in the PDC tournament, bit different or at least you could understand the accent?
I loved playing darts at Ashton gate. I got very nervous and didn't have a good weekend but enjoyed the experience all the same. It was a drear;; of mine to play at Ashton Gate which I have done now although I dreamed of playing on the pitch. I slight get invited to play at a testimonial or charity match with a bit of Luck
before I get old. I did grace the pitch with my old team St Aldhems at their hundred year centenary match.
At the start of this season what were your expectations of City?
My expectation for City this season were very high after last years season. I thought the playoffs were a strong possibility and this looks like reality as we come towards the run in. The playoffs are a lottery as we know and if we make it I believe that we can get promoted no probs. Always believe.
You must spend a lot of the away from Bristol. How often do you get down Ashton Gate?
I am out of Bristol a hell of a lot these day's and don't get down the Gate as much as I would like, probably about 10 games total home and away. But wherever I am in the world I always get the match reports text to me from various people, it probably costs me as much as a season ticket, lol!
Now you're a darts player! It says on your website your interests and hobbies are Bristol City [naturally], X box [ok] and THEATRE. You play DARTS where is all the getting raging drunk, wearing traffic cones, setting fire to your pubic hair then dousing yourself in the Centres fountains?
You must of seen me out on the weekend. These are not hobbies they are pastimes
Your Sporting heroes are Gary and Dennis Priestley. What all this about? Why not Alan Walsh, Bob Taylor or Darius Dziekanowski ?
Nothing wrong with my sporting heroes. I could not list all the Bristol city players past and present because they are all heroes.
Your affinity to Bristol City is well known so who amongst fellow darts pros are also proper football fans?
Kevin the artist painter follows Ipswich and will be coming to the gate on the coming bank holiday so I will have the bragging rights when we stuff them. Dennis Priestly loves Barnsley and Alan Warriner is a mad Man I mean mad Man u fan.
The big question. Is putting ice in cider a sign of rampant homosexuality?
This started in Ireland with Bulmers and now people are doing it in the UK.
If anybody spots this crazy behavior they have my permission to direct them to the nearest gay club.
Any darts players putting ice in cider we should know about?
I saw Mervyn King do this once … I wonder.
