I'VE been dodging more arrows than General Custer!

And all because of a sporty yedscratter from Parr reader Wallace Storey, asking if anyone could confirm that darts player Harry Leadbetter had once brought the prestigious News of the World championship trophy back to St Helens.

Customers of this column, always to be relied upon to come up with the goods, produced an avalanche of response.

I'm especially grateful to Harold Greenall of Billinge -- son-in-law of the late darting superstar -- who produced Harry's medals and magnificent foot-high replica of the trophy, marking that 1948 triumph over Durham darter T.Small.

All the memorabilia, including pictures of Harry with jubilant Windle Labour Club supporters -- I intend to publish one soon -- are in the proud possession of Harry's daughter, Joyce.

An attendance close to the event's record gate of 17,000 watched Harry's night of triumph at Wembley's Empire Pool.