MANCHESTER LOG-END DARTBOARD
Manchester - Regional Dartboard
There are only a few UK Regional Dartboards that are still played upon regularly. The Yorkshire Dartboard has no trebles and single bullseye, and the Manchester Log-end is smaller and has a unique number system.
As the name suggests, the Manchester Log-end Dartboard is made from wood. It is handmade and smaller than a standard dartboard that many have played upon. The Dartboard measures 10 inches in diameter and is jet black, with a silver wire inlay that makes up the dartboard dividers and numbers.
The number sequence is also like no other. It contains no trebles but only a doubles area measuring 5mm wide, an inner and outer bullseye. It has been said to be the hardest Dartboard to play on due to its size. The main game played on the board is also unique.
The handmade Dartboard is double-sided. It was made using UK Elm; however, in the mid-1970s, the UK suffered from the spread of Dutch Elm Disease. It wiped out millions of trees. Hence, today, the Dartboard is made using other woods, like Poplar/Tulipwood.
The Manchester Log-end Dartboard is still played upon in some parts of Manchester. However, until recently, there seemed to be only one person still making them, Dave Mealey. However, David sadly died in 2023. His son Chris has now taken up the baton and continues making the Dartboard in the traditional fashion for the Manchester Log-end Darts League.
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting David, I had the opportunity to speak to him several times via the phone. He informed me he made up to 400 dartboards annually, all by hand. This involved cutting the board to size, immersing it in water and black dry, and making the numbers and Dartboard divide segments. There were no machines here. The divide segments were hammered directly into the wooden surface using no more than a hammer.
The black-dyed Dartboards have been traditionally used for years as they allowed the wire segments to stand out.
The Dartboard also needs to be kept wet when not played upon. Not only does this help heal the dart holes, but it prevents the Dartboard from splitting. This is no issue for regular players of the Manchester Log-end, as they are used to maintaining the Dartboard this way. However, if you are new to this Dartboard, prepare a container that can hold water and is big enough to hold the Dartboard. Don’t allow the Dartboard to dry out.
Manchester 'Log-end' Dartboard Set-up
Dartboard Setup
The Official Manchester Dartboard set-up, as supplied by the former Chairman of the Manchester Log-end Darts League, John Gwynn. The height of the centre bullseye is 5ft 3ins / 161cm* from the floor. The toe-line or Oche 7ft 6ins / 229 cm shall be clearly marked and at least 18 inches long. The toe line can be just a painted line on the ground or a securely raised line indicator such as wood or metal. The latter is preferable as the thrower has a firm edge to rest their foot against.
* The height of the board can vary depending on the Manchester League. Some leagues set the board height at 5’6”, although the throwing distance remains the same.
The order of play is determined by each player throwing for the centre bullseye, the nearest being the player that throws first. The rules here can vary depending on the league you play; the local rules should always be observed.
| A: Height to Centre Bull | B: Centre Bull to Oche | C: Throw Distance |
| 5ft 3ins / 1.61m | 9ft 2ins / 2.79m | 7ft 6ins / 2.29m |
| * 5ft 6ins / 1.68m | 9ft 3 1/5ins / 2.84m | 7ft 6ins / 2.29m |
Manchester Log-end Dartboard Makers/Suppliers
The Manchester Log-end has a niche market, and although leagues still exist in Manchester, Oldham area of the UK, obtaining the hand-crafted Dartboard is not easy.
Most dartboard retailers no longer stock the Manchester Log-end due mainly to the storage of the board. The boards must be kept wet, or they will split, and since this is a regional dartboard, the game isn't, to my knowledge, played elsewhere in any league format.
Maker Supplier Chris Mealey, son of David Mealey, has followed in his father's footsteps and still produces a version of the Manchester Log-end Dartboard, which is used in the Manchester Log-end Dartboard league. However, Chris's boards are now square, not the traditional circle version that many have become used to playing on. Chris enlightened me that local material suppliers have closed, forcing him to buy log-end panels elsewhere. His current supplier is over 100 miles from his workshop, and the panels are pre-cut, hence the move from round to square.
Chris Mealey (Maker and Supplier of the Manchester Log-end Dartboard)
Chris has also informed me that the Manchester Log-end dartboards his late father and he now make are Square and not the traditional circular version. (the playing area is unchanged).
Chris sighted board supply issues, and previous providers have since closed.
A picture of the Squiare version is shown here.
You can contact Chris On (+44) (0) 7946 426064
Email: DJ Dominoes Logends
Manchester Dartboard Standard Game - Rules
The standard Manchester dartboard game is to hit in order numbers 1 to 20 and at least one double before hitting the Bullseye (inner or outer). Please read on…
Each player throws in turn. If number one is hit with the first dart, they progress to number two. If the player should hit the double of the number they are throwing for, then they progress to the number exceeding the value of that double (if possible). Hitting double one (2) when throwing for one moves the player to number three. Should the player hit double three when throwing for three (6), they move straight to number seven. Once all the numbers have been hit, the first double the player hit must be hit again before hitting the centre bullseye. If no double was hit during the progress around the board, then the player must hit double 20 before hitting the Bullseye.
In the case of this game, the inner and outer Bullseye both count as a single target. It isn't uncommon for the centre bullseye to be removed. However, doing so prevents a 301 game from being played fully.
See local league rules for further information.
301 - Rules
Generally, each player's score must start and finish a game with a double (The narrow outer ring of the board). Competition games, however, are usually played with a straight start (no compulsory double) but with a compulsory double to finish.
The first throw is deducted from the player's start number, e.g. 301 and then from the reduced total. The scorer should show the score obtained for the throw and the reduced total remaining. Should you throw a scorer higher than the remaining, you 'bust' and your throw is over. You return to the previous score upon your next throw.
The inner Bullseye (50) counts as double (25) the outer Bullseye.
Also, see your local league rules for further information.
Historical Manchester Dartboards that are no longer made:
The Man-Lon Dartboard
Normally, a Manchester Log-end Dartboard is made two-sided, i.e. there is a Dartboard Layout on both sides, which prolongs the Dartboard's life. However, a Man-Lon had one side as per a Manchester Dartboard; the other had a mini London dartboard or standard dartboard layout, as some like to now call it.
The Toper Dartboard
The Toper Dartbord was a Manchester Dartboard without the numbers! This sat inside a fixed painted number ring and could turn the Dartboard as per a conventional Dartboard. This allowed better wear.
The Man-Lon wasn't as popular as a double-sided Manchester Dartboard, and this fell out of production.
Although the idea was good, the Toper dartboard went the same way as the Man-Lon. It seemed few changed over to a fixed number ring.
The inner dartboard with a number ring has been used with other dartboards, notably the Knet doubles dartboard. Unlike the Manchester dartboard, the Kent doubles. It is a larger size and has the standard numbering system. This would again be made from wood, and the ability to turn the board would allow for even wear.
