OWEN BINKS needed strong maths skills to keep tally of how many jobs he had after university.
Now he is using his quick arithmetic to keep score at the oche.
https://www.instagram.com/binksowen/Owen Binks is loving life as a darts referee[/caption]
https://x.com/BinksOwenThe Colchester fan got a selfie with Ipswich-mad Ed Sheeran at Ally Pally[/caption]
GettyBinks regularly takes to the stage and rubs shoulders with Luke Littler[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/binksowen/He marks scores and spots as well as having the microphone in hand[/caption]
Binks is still only 27 but rattled through a whopping 21 different jobs between leaving uni and an all-important phone call four years ago.
That included a stint on the trolleys at Sainsbury’s, recruitment consulting and dealing with customers who had just had car crashes.
He received a bell from darts tournament organisers Modus Super Series offering him a job.
And not only has it given him settled employment.
But it also means he is rubbing shoulders with Luke Littler – and even got a selfie with Ed Sheeran.
Binks told the BBC: “Modus asked me, ‘Can you leave your job and be a full-time referee for us?’
“I was like, ‘Yes, absolutely’ – so I quit my job on the spot.
“I knew that’s what I wanted to do and I’ve been living my dream ever since.
“I’ve got a lot to thank them for because that call changed my life.”
Binks has ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – which meant he found office-based jobs tricky, especially as he missed key details from drivers after their accidents.
However, he has channelled his ADHD to help him in darts officiating – where he can combine his “hyperfocus” and his quickfire mental maths.
Binks has marked scores and acted as a spotter at the World Darts Championship – telling TV directors which camera to switch to for the next shot.
He was on stage with Littler as he marked scores for the Nuke’s win over Michael van Gerwen at the 2025 Dutch Masters.
And he will be involved in the upcoming Premier League Darts season as both a marker and spotter.
But the best part of his job is umpiring matches.
He added: “I’ve always been good at mental maths, but you need darts maths to be an expert in this field.
“A lot of it is knowing the patterns, although you have to be on your toes for someone like Luke Littler who sprays around the board.
It’s such a privilege. I get the best seat in the house to watch the best players. It’s the greatest sport on earth.
Owen Binks
“When I was growing up I was always in trouble at school, being the class clown and getting sent out.
“It really helps when you have a hyper-focus on the thing you love. For me, that’s darts numbers – how random is that?
“Maybe it does help becoming obsessed with that and knowing my game to the best I can.”
Binks, from Colchester, managed to meet Sheeran at Alexandra Palace at the recent world champs won by Littler and even got a selfie with the award-winning singer – taking a cheeky swipe at his beloved Ipswich Town.
But after so many jobs following the completion of his studies, Binks was certainly counting his blessings as he helped play his part in one of sport’s best events.
He added: “It’s such a privilege to be up on stage as there’s no better crowds than the crowds at Ally Pally.
“The best thing is I get the best seat in the house to watch the best players in the world do the most amazing things.
“It’s definitely a sport. It’s the greatest sport on earth.”
https://www.instagram.com/binksowen/Binks revealed his ADHD helps with his rapid mental arithmetic[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/binksowen/He went through 21 jobs before the phone call from Modus[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/binksowen/Binks is set to be part of the 2025 Premier League[/caption]
Instagram / binksowenBinks has officiated for some of the sport’s biggest names including Michael van Gerwen[/caption]
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