Bob Potter obituary

Bob Potter OBE passed away on April 14th, 2023 at the age of 94.

Bob was an ardent supporter of darts, with his iconic Lakeside Country Club playing host to the Darts World Championships from 1986 to 2019.

The news was announced ‘with great sadness’ by the World Darts Federation (WDF) which confirmed in its obituary that ‘his legacy at the venue’ will be continued over the next three years with the next edition of their World Championship being in December.

The complex was established in 1972, when Bob Potter bought Wharfenden House and the surrounding grounds and lake.

He soon doubled the hall to 1,000 seats principally for hosting comedians and musicians, including North American and internationally acclaimed acts.

The Lakeside had a fire later that decade and re-opened.

Over the years, Potter mixed with royalty and showbiz figures at Lakeside, which he claimed was the inspiration behind Peter Kay’s TV comedy Phoenix Nights, whose character is named Brian Potter.