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Gary Anderson savours special 10 year darts anniversary a decade on from making Phil Taylor eat his words
Evergreen Gary Anderson is set to savour a special 10-year anniversary at the Ally Pally.
The Scottish hero returns to the famous Paddy Power World Championship stage a decade on from winning the first of his back-to-back crowns. Anderson did it in style in January 2015 by sinking 16-times king Phil Taylor and the recollection of that special success still stirs epic memories as he prepares for his latest title tilt. The five-time finalist said: “Is it 10 years? I mean, I was up there, I’m the underdog, just buzzing because I’m playing Phil Taylor on a stage that he’s owned for decades.
“You know, if Phil had battered me, I don’t think I would have been disappointed. I’ve been in the final against Phil and that’s what meant the most to me, just playing Taylor on that stage in the final. It’s was one of those things to go up there and it was a first time ever.
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"Phil used to have a thing when you’d go for bull-up. You’d miss the bull, he’d hit it and he’d say, 'you have the darts'. And I used to say to him 'am I getting the darts? No?' And the only time he gave me the darts was at the World Championships. And I went 'Big mistake, Phil!' Just as a bit of banter!”
A decade prior to that famous win, Anderson was in the BDO ranks building his career without knowledge of where he’d end up in the game. He said: “I don’t know, I just played darts. That’s the way I done it. I used to do well in the BDO. I played a few times in the Lakeside and absolutely died the death so many times on that stage.
“I came to one of the PDC tours, the Grand Slam. And that’s why I love the Grand Slam because it was my first kind of invite from the PDC to play in one of their tournaments. I loved it, the crowd. I went from the BDO, nice and quiet and everyone just watches darts to a complete party. And it was a culture shock. It was chalk and cheese. Even today, I wish I came across a bit sooner than what I did, but I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Anderson now returns to the Palace a decade after beating Taylor aiming for a third crown. Having defeated Adrian Lewis to win it for a second-successive year in 2016, the Tartan ace has recaptured some of his best form this year going into the event.
Asked how if feels to be going back still a huge contender, Anderson, who will face either Jeffrey De Graaf or Rashad Sweeting in his first match, said: “Couple of shirt sizes a bit bigger, a few more grey hairs, but, listen, I’m still plodding on!
“You know, I get a bit of grief about saying that I don’t put a lot of time in it. Listen, I’ve done it 30 years. I’m 54 on my match that I play in December. I think I’m allowed to take it a wee bit easy now. But I still love it, I’ve got myself sorted out.
“I absolutely love doing the Pro Tours. Europeans, yes I’ve only done two, but I’ve been across doing the Pro Tours in Germany, so I’ve done a few of them this year and I’ve enjoyed it. It’s good. Like I say, win or lose, doesn’t really matter. I’m just enjoying playing darts and that’s what it’s all about.
“It’s always great to get back. The Ally Pally, people say what’s it like. It’s kind of nothing until you start driving up that road. I said it before, you come up that sweeping road, you’ve got the Palace sitting up there and then that’s when the butterflies start kicking in. So looking forward to it. It’s going to be a cracking year. Some good, good players now. So it’s going to be good.”
