SCOTT Mitchell says Dorset’s debut in the top league of county darts will be an “iconic day” as they prepare to face reigning champions Lancashire.

Newly-promoted Dorset have been dealt the toughest of tasks as their squad of 36 head up to Wigan this weekend to start their first Premiership season.

Dorset, who play home matches on Ashley Road in Parkstone, sealed their spot at the level after decades of trying on the final day of last season and will now get their crack at the country’s best.

“It’s a huge day,” 2015 BDO world champion Mitchell told the Daily Echo.

“No matter what the result is, it’s going to be a massive day for us. It’s an iconic day and I just hope everyone enjoys it, because when people are enjoying it, you play your best.

“We’ve got our county manager, John Clark, who actually played the first ever game for Dorset. He was 17 years old and he’s in his 60s now.

“So for him it’s been a 48-year wait.

“There are many legends that have played throughout Dorset history with hundreds of caps, but a lot of them have never, ever played in the Premier."

Asked how Dorset finally managed to break through this year, Mitchell explained: “I think we’ve just been more solid as a team.

“It’s been there for the last three or four years and we just haven’t managed to get over the line.

“It’s experience more than anything that got us over the line, using the experience we’ve had in the past of failing and it’s just such an exciting time for us, knowing we’re the first guys to do it.

“We are the 36 players that have this superb opportunity to be the first guys and make history. That’s the excitement, for me.”

Mitchell is the standout name of the squad, highlighted by the fact this fixture is sandwiched in between upcoming televised appearances at the Seniors Matchplay last weekend and the PDC Euro Tour later this month.

Discussing how much he still values his county role, amid his other commitments, the 53-year-old said: “I’m a loyal person, change doesn’t suit me very often.

“Dorset made me, to get up there on that stage. And I failed a few times, it didn’t all go right. They stuck by me and kept picking me.

“For me it’s a thing that I really enjoy doing, I really enjoy playing and it feels like home every time I appear, whether I’m winning or losing.

“I feel like I’m doing the right thing and my bit for our county, because it hasn’t always been that I was the top star there.”

But Mitchell is under no illusions of the challenge posed by back-to-back champions Lancashire first up.

“They’re always in the top two, year after year,” he said.

“It’s a very tough first game to have, but it’s one that we’ve got to enjoy.

“It’s a massive experience and we’re the first Dorset darters ever in our history to get to do it and we should appreciate that.”