Career
He then went on to reach the quarter finals of the 1997 British Open and the 1997 Isle of Manitoba Open and the semi final of the 1998 Scottish Open before reaching another quarter final in the 1999 Dutch Open and repeated his run in the same event in 2002. Routledge then reached his first final in the 2002 England Open, losing to Brian Derbyshire. He then reached the second round of the 2003 World Darts Trophy, beating Albertino Essers in the first round before losing to Martin Adams.
This was followed by a semi final place in the French Open just a couple of weeks later.
He then reached the second group stage of the 2004 International Darts League. After losing his opening group game to Tony West, he defeated Essers and Bob Taylor to qualify where he lost all three group games to Robert Wagner, Raymond van Barneveld and Darryl Fitton.
He then lost in the first round of the 2004 World Darts Trophy, losing 3-0 to Mervyn King. Routledge qualified for the 2005 BDO International World Darts Championship, losing in the first round to John Walton.
He then lost in the group stages of the 2005 International Darts League, losing all three group games to Adams, Andy Fordham and Company Stompé.
In 2006, Routledge briefly switched to the Personal Digital Cellular, but early exits in the United Kingdom Open Regional Finals in the South West and the Midlands as well as the Bobby Bourn Memorial Players Championship saw Routledge quickly return to the BDO International.
BDO International
2005: 1st Round (lost to John Walton 1-3).
