The Lawyer Who Couldn't Hit Double One Just Helped Rashford Escape Manchester

By Lewis Barnett 26 July, 2025 5 mins read 223 Views

So Marcus Rashford's finally free from Old Trafford. Thank God.

But here's the weird bit nobody's talking about – one of the guys who helped broker this Barcelona deal once had what might be the most embarrassing darts performance in World Championship history. I'm not even exaggerating. Simon Leaf, the Mishcon de Reya lawyer who sorted out Rashford's financial details, genuinely made me cringe watching him on that Lakeside stage back in 2005.

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When Cambridge Met Oxford (And Both Lost)

Picture this: you're at the World Darts Championship, expecting to see some proper tungsten wizardry. Instead, you get two university students who can't finish double one. Double bloody one! My nan could hit that after three pints of bitter.

Leaf was representing Cambridge against some Oxford lad called Mark Carpenter, and honestly? It was painful. They got stuck in this endless loop trying to checkout on the easiest double on the board. The match dragged on so long they had to bring poor Rab Butler a chair because he was knackered from calling their missed shots.

Carpenter eventually found it (barely), then did this awkward hug with teh referee that summed up the whole mess perfectly.

From Dartboard Disasters to Million-Pound Deals

Fast forward twenty years, and this same bloke is helping negotiate Rashford's escape route from United. Life's funny like that, isn't it?

Leaf heads up Mishcon's sport and technology division now – quite the career pivot from missing doubles at Lakeside. Rashford's brother Dwaine Maynard brought him in specifically for the financial side of things, which makes sense. The guy's worked with Premier League clubs, international sports stars, even whole countries on their financial strategies.

Still can't hit double one though. (Sorry Simon, had to.)

Ruben's Cold Shoulder Treatment

Let's be honest – Rashford needed this move desperately. Amorim made it crystal clear the lad wouldn't get a sniff of first-team action while he's in charge. That's brutal, even by football standards.

The Barcelona deal is decent enough: season-long loan with a £26million option to buy next summer. Not earth-shattering money in today's market, but it gets Marcus out of Manchester and back playing actual football.

They've given him the number 14 shirt too – previously worn by Cruyff, Henry, and Koeman. No pressure there then.

Plot Twist: Love Actually

Here's something that caught my attention – Rashford's back with his ex-fiancée Lucia Loi. She was right there at his Barcelona unveiling, taking photos, adjusting his shirt like they never split up.

There's something quite sweet about that, actually. New club, rekindled romance, fresh start away from all the United drama. Good for him.

They even did that cheesy photo shoot by a red British phone box, which is either brilliant marketing or completely naff depending on your perspective.

The Referee Side Hustle

Oh, and get this – Leaf's also a semi-professional football referee. Villa fan who's worked National Conference and Premier League U23 matches. So he's seen football from every angle: player agent negotiations, financial structuring, and actually officiating games.

That's quite the CV when you think about it. Shame about the darts though.

Anyway, Rashford's finally where he needs to be. Barcelona get a proven Premier League goalscorer, Marcus gets to play football again, and somewhere in London, a lawyer who once couldn't finish double one is probably celebrating another successful deal.

Football's weird sometimes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

Statistics

Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.

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How To

Mastering Your Grip & Stance

There's no single "correct" way to hold a dart, but there are definitely wrong ways. Most players use 3 fingers (thumb, index, middle) with the dart resting primarily on the middle finger. Some pros use 4 or even 5 fingers, but I'd suggest starting with 3.

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https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/that-kiss-that-made-blackpool-melt-watching-luke-littler-turn-into-a-proper-romantic