The Powe
As a dejected Phil Taylor trudged
off the Ally Pally stage after a
shock second round defeat in
December, the doubters lined up
to write his darting obituary, but
after a three-week sabbatical in
the rocky mountains of Portugal,
a reinvented Power is back to
regain what is rightfully his.
But when you have dominated the
sport as its figurehead ambassador
for the best part of three decades,
that’s easier said than done.
Taylor is a hungry tungsten
predator who feeds off success,
and like a fine wine – the statistics
show he gets better with age.
Instead, he headed for the rocky
mountains of Portugal with a
mystery figure known only as ‘the
Juice Master’ – walking 10-12
miles a day and keeping practice
to a minimum.
Last year, the man from the
Potteries won 102 of his 129
matches with an overall average
of 102.26. He claimed six out of
the nine major televised titles
in what proved one of his most
fruitful seasons, but crucially in
his eyes, paled into insignificance
Taylor is 53, and with more 200
worldwide titles in his armoury,
few would forgive him for packing
away his arrows in favour of a pipe
and slippers.
After losing almost two stones,
a new-look Taylor returned to
base with a new lease of life, and
perhaps more importantly – a new
set of darts.
In a deal reportedly worth up to
£3million, darts’ hottest property
joined team Target on a five-year
deal, showcasing a new set of
darts at an exclusive launch in
London’s Marble Arch.
Slimmer and chirpier than ever
before, Taylor spoke of his
intentions and his current state of
mind, quickly quashing rumours
of an impending retirement
by vowing to play on until
at least the age of 58 – a
frightening prospect for
the rest of the field.
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
Taylor’s move from Unicorn to
Target was perhaps darts’ worst
kept secret, and while it may be
the most lucrative sponsorship
deal in the history of the sport,
it also portrays an emphatic
statement of intent from the man,
who some might say, has nothing
left to prove.
Taylor was not to be seen for
six weeks; no exhibitions, no
media appearances and a notable
absence at the PDC awards dinner.
after a disappointing
Championship campaign.
World
So after bowing out in his title
defending year to Michael Smith,
Ever-driven
by
the
emergence of a new rival
(think Bristow, Priestley,
Part and van Barneveld) The
Power admitted that he owes
Michael van Gerwen a debt of
gratitude for giving him the “kick
up the backside” he needed to get
back to business.