"Ill miss everyone but Im sure we will keep in touch and I know they will still be cheering me on."
Glen Durrant
Glen started his first full-time contract as a housing benefit clerk on 1 February 1989, at what was then Langbaurgh Borough Council. In 1996, having been promoted two years earlier, Glen took a sidestep to become a housing officer at the Grangetown office, in the heart of the community in which he grew up. During this period Glen was also working six nights a week at karaoke events to make ends meet.
Following the large-scale voluntary transfer of council housing from Redcar & Cleveland Council to Coast & Country Housing in 2001, Glen was once again promoted to senior housing advisor.
Glen said: “2002 was the year I got my dream job it was the one that made me really ‘grow up’.
“Being a Grangetown lad, it’s fitting that I finish my time here in the same office.”
2005 was the year that Glen had his first taste of darts success, when he reached the last eight of the World Masters live on BBC Grandstand. From there he went from strength to strength in the darts world, travelling as far as Canada in his quest to become a champion and winning a BDO World Master title in 2015 before eventually becoming BDO World Champion in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 2019 was also the year he won his first PDC title and decided to turn professional.
Glen said: “I have had an incredible career in housing, first with Langbaurgh, then Redcar & Cleveland Council, Coast & Country and most recently Beyond Housing. It’s been an incredible journey and I’ve made wonderful friends along the way. But now it’s time for me to focus on being the best I can be at darts.
“The support I have had from management and colleagues has been tremendous and without that I wouldn’t have been able to pursue my darts career. I’ll miss everyone but I’m sure we will keep in touch and I know they will still be cheering me on.”
Lesley Conroy, Head of Communities at Beyond Housing, said: “Glen has been a dedicated and inspirational colleague for more than 30 years. He has made such a positive impact on the lives of both fellow workers and residents in his unassuming and humble way.
“Of course, we will miss him, but we wish him the very best and look forward to celebrating his victories every step of the way.”
