Dennis: “Mission impossible” to stop Taylor glory

By Phil Lanning

EXCLUSIVE

DENNIS PRIESTLEY admits it will be “mission impossible” to stop Phil Taylor winning yet another darts title.

The two-times World Champion will join up with the new World Seniors event alongside old foe Taylor, Andy Fordham, Keith Deller, Bob Anderson and Ted Hankey.

Priestley, now 70, says he is only likely to be in an ambassador role and not playing due to a pending knee operation.

The Menace featured in five World Championship finals with big rival and friend Taylor between 1994 and 2000, winning only the first one, the inaugural PDC final 6-1.

But he doesn’t fancy locking horns with The Power yet again, revealing: “I had enough of being smashed by Phil in the 90s, let alone again in the 2020s!

“I would love to play but it would be tough for me so it’s much more likely to be in an ambassador role. 

“To be quite honest, Phil will take some stopping. He’s still a top player. Most of us have just been on the exhibition circuit which isn’t the same. I would think it will be mission impossible to stop Phil winning again.

Priestley was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2007 but after the all-clear remarkably returned to the PDC circuit in May 2008, reaching the semi-finals of the World Matchplay, losing out to Taylor.

He last played in the PDC World Championships in 2013, losing in the first round to Ronnie Baxter. 

He added: “I haven’t picked up a dart for over year now because of the pandemic so it would be hard for me whatever. I’ve had both my jabs now so hopefully I’m going to be safe.

“I’ve also had a knee issue. I’ve been putting it off for a good 20 years. I’ve said as long as I can stand the pain I’m not having a new right knee put in. But it’s got to the stage where it’s bad now. 

“Now it’s down to whenever they send for me. Maybe there’s a backlog because of the pandemic but we’ll see.”

It was also announced earlier on Wednesday that two-time BDO World Champ ‘The Count’ Hankey would also be part of the Seniors title event.

The controversial character said on Twitter: “Well it has been a while. But I am coming back like a ‘Bat out of hell’. Invite accepted to the World Seniors. The time has come.”