susan zimmer - 'shaky the book lady'
In all realms of all sports, leisure and entertainment there are
those fans who collect autographs of the top stars. Darts is no exception but,
as I found out in the summer of 2007, there are darts autograph hunters and then
there is 'Shaky the book Lady'
'Shaky the book Lady'
Her real name is Susan Zimmer and she lives in Romford, Essex.
Sue loves darts and she has been playing since she was a teenager. Currently a
member of the Wickford Ladies’ Super League, Sue also travels hundreds of miles
each year in search of the top players trying to secure not only their
autographs but asking them to reveal other facts about themselves.
I met Sue, 42, for the first time last summer when her and her
father Derek came to visit, to show me her books and to share with me her
enthusiasm for the most popular sport on the planet. Her collection of
autographs is awe-inspiring. These are no ordinary autograph books. They are not
the sort that simply fit into the back pocket. They are large volumes packed
full of data and are a fascinating record of the top-flight players on the
circuit today – and she has tracked down a good number from yesterday.
The collection began in August 2005 when Sue’s brother, also
Derek, gave her the book as a surprise birthday present. Her pursuit of darts
players has been unrelenting ever since. Within a year, Sue had accumulated
autographs of most of the Top 50 PDC players for 2005 (from the Number 1, Colin
Lloyd to the Number 50, Gary Welding) and was busy filling the gaps for 2006.
When we first met in May 2007, I was stunned when Sue asked for my
details as she wished to include a page for ‘Doctor Darts’.
Each entry takes up on full page of Sue’s book. Sue asks each one
for information ranging from date and place of birth, weight and make of darts
used, hobbies and sporting hero, to their favourite football team. Sue’s father
Derek travels with Sue to all the darts venues and takes a photo of Sue with
each of her subjects. The Polaroid photos are then placed on the page, together
with a set of each players ‘name’ flights. The last thing for them to do is then
write a short comment about the book and sign it – and then the page is
complete.
This may sound a long, drawn out process but, so far, no one has
refused. Sue told me, “Andy Fordham was brilliant but to be honest all darts
players, men and women, are very approachable but I always need to time it
right. Sometimes they do not have the time to spend with the detail, so Derek
takes the photo and then they see me later on to fill in the book.” Some
players have been so impressed with Sue’s hobby that they have given her other
memorabilia. For example, Wayne Mardle and Steve Maish each presented her with a
shirt, Mark Dudbridge gave her a set of his named darts whilst Mick Manning
presented her with the Bullshooter trophy he had won in Chicago in 1998. I was
so stunned about being included that I gave Sue one of my limited edition
‘Doctor Darts’ dartboards, produced for me by NODOR in recognition of my award
of PhD in 2006. She was thrilled, genuinely thrilled.
But who might you ask was the most difficult darts person to pin
down to sign her book?
When I met Sue again at the ‘Legends’ night at The Circus Tavern,
Purfleet, last August, Sue was still seeking Eric Bristow’s and John Lowe’s
autographs and was working hard to secure Alan Glazier’s signature. However, Sue
proudly told me, “People said that it would be virtually impossible to get near
the Chairman of the PDC, Barry Hearn, and ask him to sign my book, but I did
it!” Sue added, “I went along to the Leyton Orient football club and contacted
Barry Hearn’s P.A. I explained what I was doing was I was asked to leave the
book with them. The next thing I knew I was being invited to tea with Mr. Hearn
at his office!” Sue added, “When we met, Mr. Hearn told me how impressed he was
with my work. He filled the book in and then had his photograph with me. He was
amazing. I was so happy that he had taken time out of his busy schedule to see
me.”
Nowadays, Sue is a familiar face at darts venues around the
country and is well known amongst the darting fraternity. Everyone who sees or
signs her book is in awe of her work. As Darren Webster wrote on his page in
Sue’s book, ‘This album is one of a kind.’ It is indeed a unique book. Terry
Jenkins wrote ‘We’ve something in common. You’re called Shaky and I’m shaky on
the dartboard.’
But why ‘Shaky the Book Lady’?
Sue explained to me that is has nothing whatsoever to do with any
medical condition – far from it. She told me, “I am known as ‘Shaky the Book
Lady’ because whenever I approach a top darts player with my book and ask for
their autograph I feel nervous and get the shakes.”
Ever modest about her achievements thus far, Sue intends to carry
on with her task, one that appears endless as new players enter the PDC Top 50
on a regular basis. “I love what I do” Sue said, “And I know the players do too.
However, I wouldn’t have got as far as I have without the help of my dad, Derek,
my son Robert (known as 'Shrek') and my brother Derek. Nikky Honey (wife of
Warwickshire professional darter, Dave Honey) has also been a tremendous help to
me. Thanks too to all the dart players, commentators and officials who have
signed my book.”
In time, what Sue is producing will become a valuable social
document of the lives of those involved in the great sport of darts at this
time. When I asked her what her plans were for the future, Sue merely smiled and
replied, “Keep collecting.”
©2007 Patrick Chaplin
This article first appeared in Darts Player 2008 magazine
in December 2007.
Photo of Sue with book ©2007 Chippix
Photo of Sue with Barry Hearn ©2007 Sue Zimmer |
