Darts icon Dave Clark says Phil Taylor could STILL win major titles… as he nears 60th birthday
POPULAR TV presenter Dave Clark believes retired Phil Taylor could still win trophies – months before his 60th birthday.
The 16-time world darts champion, who is involved in tonight’s Paddy Power virtual charity match against old rival Raymond van Barneveld, retired from professional darts after losing the 2018 world final to Rob Cross.
Respected Sky Sports broadcaster Clark will be involved in the build-up with pre-match analysis with South African player Devon Petersen.
Clark reckons The Power, 59, has lost none of his power and could easily beat the world’s best.
The Voice of Darts told SunSport: “Taylor still has the game to win a tournament.
“Taylor is fantastic. He scores heavily and practises hard. He’s amazing.
“There is no reason why he cannot reach quarter-finals of major tournaments at least. Perhaps even go all the way.
“It’s incredible – he is still playing at a very high level. Taylor would be favourite against Barney.
“When they played each other in the Premier League, your clothes moved because of the sound waves generated by the crowd.
“I’ll remember being on stage in Dublin once in front of 10,000 people. The walk-ons, The Power by Snap came on, the lightning sound effects. I miss those two on stage.
Barney wanted to do three things – beat Phil Taylor, get a nine-darter and win the world championships. He did it in nine months. It revved up Taylor’s career. Sport is all about personality – those two had it in bucketloads.
Dave Clark
“I cannot wait for Thursday night. I’m just yearning for sport. I’m getting withdrawal symptoms. Even when you work it in, it’s amazing how much you miss it. You take it for granted.
“Barney and Taylor are the biggest rivalry in world darts over the last 20 years. One of the greatest in professional sport. It’s fantastic. Really exciting.
“I’ll always remember the 2007 world final when Barney beat Taylor.
“The Circus Tavern in Essex was a small venue. There were two absolute titans of the sport, knocking hell out of each other. The way it finished, going to the last-leg decider had everything. It put darts on the map.
“Barney came over to the PDC and said he wanted to do three things – beat Phil Taylor, get a nine-darter and win the world championships. He did it all in nine months.
“It revved up Taylor’s career. He knew he had to go to another level.
“Sport is all about personality – and those two had it in bucketloads.”
Barney and Taylor will face each other on Thursday night over the internet on the Target Nexus Electronic Dartboard.
Virtual darts live from players’ living rooms could be the next big thing while the country is in lockdown from COVID-19.
But Clark can’t wait for the sport to return, adding: “The Nexus is amazing and scores itself.
“But darts needs a crowd. The 180 signs, the fancy dress, the amazing atmosphere.
“It’s not the same without the crowd – but this is second best.
“There will be a massive celebration when darts returns to a big arenas maybe August or September time. It would mean this crisis is behind us.”
Yorkshireman Clark was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 10 years ago.
He is planning to donate his brain to medical science to help find a cure for the disease.
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Clark said: “We will find a cure for this virus in the next few years. With Parkinson’s, we discovered it 200 years ago and still looking for a cure. It’s a one-way street.
“Imperial College have a brain bank. They analyse brains. What greatest gift could you give to mankind than the brain which is the one which finds a cure for Parkinson’s.”
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