This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/other_sports/darts/6254179.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
King quit threat after PDC offer King quit threat after PDC offer
(about 5 hours later)
An angry Mervyn King threatened to quit the Lakeside World Championship after reports he was poised to join the rival Professional Darts Corporation.An angry Mervyn King threatened to quit the Lakeside World Championship after reports he was poised to join the rival Professional Darts Corporation.
The fifth seed fought back from 3-0 down to beat Tony Eccles 5-4 and book a semi-final clash with Martin Adams.The fifth seed fought back from 3-0 down to beat Tony Eccles 5-4 and book a semi-final clash with Martin Adams.
But King revealed that constant queries over his future almost caused him to walk out of the event before the match.But King revealed that constant queries over his future almost caused him to walk out of the event before the match.
"I nearly packed my darts away and went home," he said. "You nearly didn't have a quarter-final. It was that close.""I nearly packed my darts away and went home," he said. "You nearly didn't have a quarter-final. It was that close."
If it carries on I'm goingto walk Mervyn King King admitted he had been made an offer by the PDC, but said he had not accepted it. onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6255061'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Interview: Mervyn King
If it carries on I'm going to walk Mervyn King King admitted he had been made an offer by the PDC, but said he had not accepted it.
He is now obliged to return to the Lakeside in 2008 under the terms of a contract he has signed that binds all semi-finalists to the event for the following year.He is now obliged to return to the Lakeside in 2008 under the terms of a contract he has signed that binds all semi-finalists to the event for the following year.
That would preclude him from leaving for the PDC, as Raymond van Barneveld did last year due to a clause he had inserted in his contract.That would preclude him from leaving for the PDC, as Raymond van Barneveld did last year due to a clause he had inserted in his contract.
"Everyone has been in my face all day and that's the last thing I wanted when I had a quarter-final to play," said King."Everyone has been in my face all day and that's the last thing I wanted when I had a quarter-final to play," said King.
"I've said what I had to say to (press officer) Robert Holmes of the BDO (British Darts Organisation) and if that's not good enough for other people then I'm sorry."I've said what I had to say to (press officer) Robert Holmes of the BDO (British Darts Organisation) and if that's not good enough for other people then I'm sorry.
"I'm really not happy with the treatment I've had today, not just from oneperson but from a lot of people who I have known for many years. "I'm really not happy with the treatment I've had today, not just from one person but from a lot of people who I have known for many years.
Mervyn told me he would rather pack up darts than play for the PDC Robert Holmes of the BDO "It's not just the players, it's the organisation as well. What we read inthe papers isn't always true. They have known me for a lot of years. If theyreally need to ask me they don't really know me. Mervyn told me he would rather pack up darts than play for the PDC Robert Holmes of the BDO "It's not just the players, it's the organisation as well. What we read in the papers isn't always true. They have known me for a lot of years. If they really need to ask me they don't really know me.
"Why should I stand here and be put on the spot? If it carries on I'm goingto walk." "Why should I stand here and be put on the spot? If it carries on I'm going to walk."
Holmes dismissed King's walkout threat as "silly", insisting he would play his semi-final against Adams. "That's not Merv, that's just him sounding off after a dramatic game. He will play, don't worry about that.Holmes dismissed King's walkout threat as "silly", insisting he would play his semi-final against Adams. "That's not Merv, that's just him sounding off after a dramatic game. He will play, don't worry about that.
"Mervyn told me (earlier) he would rather pack up darts than play for the PDC, that he was staying with the BDO. We respect him and if he has told me that, I believe him."Mervyn told me (earlier) he would rather pack up darts than play for the PDC, that he was staying with the BDO. We respect him and if he has told me that, I believe him.
"He is now contracted to come back here next year and if he didn't, the BDO would have to take legal action. That's what the contract is all about. But we obviously don't want to do that because Merv has given us his assurance.""He is now contracted to come back here next year and if he didn't, the BDO would have to take legal action. That's what the contract is all about. But we obviously don't want to do that because Merv has given us his assurance."