He was one of the most influential protagonists in darts for almost four decades, having set up and run the BDO from its inception in 1973 until he was voted off the board in August 2011.
[3][4] The British Darts Organisation was formed at its inaugural meeting at Croft's home in Creighton Avenue, Muswell Hill in North London on 7 January 1973.
Twelve others attended that meeting including his wife Lorna, Sam Hawkins, Jim Sweeney and James Rogers.
Croft - who was a salaried BDO official and lived rent-free in a BDO-owned property - was quoted as saying, "I don't owe any dart players a kidney stone".
Many of the players that made their way through the county system, joined the PDC as their tournaments offer higher prize money and more chance of making a full-time living from the game.
Passionate debate often raged amongst darts fans as to the relative merits of the BDO and PDC, and Croft's role in the split in the game.
Mike Watterson, the sports promoter who created the Embassy World Professional Championship (and arranged the TV and sponsorship deals), was one of Croft's biggest critics.