Darts ace reacts to Wade’s bold claim to be second-best ever for longevity

PAUL NICHOLSON has backed James Wade’s claim to be the second-best player of all time when it comes to longevity.

The world No5 made the bold statement at the recent World Grand Prix after once again proving he can mix it with the best by reaching the semi-final before falling 5-3 to eventual champion Luke Humphries.

Former pro Nicholson agrees Wade has a strong case, although he insists Gary Anderson is breathing down his neck.

The Machine has won 11 major titles, three more than Anderson, but his biggest stumbling block remains his record at the World Championship.

Wade has never lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy or reached a final at Alexandra Palace since making his debut back in 2005.

Anderson, by contrast, has twice been crowned world champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.

The Flying Scotsman also reached the semi-finals at the most recent edition at the age of 55.

Wade, however, has spread his major title wins across three different decades, while Anderson’s major-winning spell was concentrated in a shorter window between 2011 and 2018.

Nicholson gives Wade the nod over Anderson in the longevity debate, ranking him behind only 16-time world champion Phil Taylor.

He told Sporting Life: “James Wade may have said he’s second in this list ‘by a country mile’ but it’s certainly a lot closer than that when you look at the career of Gary Anderson.

“Indeed, some fans may have Anderson slightly higher than Wade on this metric. But either way, it’s extremely close.

“But before we get into longevity, here’s a mind-blowing fact for you. They’ve never met in a final on a stage! Between them they’ve reached 50 PDC major finals as well as an additional 11 on the World Series and 12 on the European Tour – but never have they battled it out against each other for those titles.

“They’ve met 68 times in their careers and the last time they met in a final of any kind was a UK Open qualifier back in 2016!

“We don’t know how much longer Gary is going to stick around but just when we first thought he was about to retire, he came back and started winning titles on the Players Championship and European Tours and has posted seasonal averages to rival the likes of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.

“The only thing that’s been missing over the past few seasons is a run to a major final, which hasn’t happened since the 2021 World Championship.

“Sure, he’s won two world titles compared to Wade's none, but three fewer majors overall and his haul came in a shorter window of time. So that’s why I’m giving the slight edge to James.”

Wade has not lifted a major trophy since 2021, but he has still reached three major finals in the past two years, losing all three to Luke Littler.

The Aldershot slinger has added a European Tour title, World Series and another Players Championship crown to his collection this season.

Nicholson insists Wade deserves recognition for his remarkable staying power.

He added: “He is ‘only’ 43 yet it feels like he’s been around forever having first burst onto the PDC scene back at the 2006 World Matchplay when he reached the final on debut, and since then he’s gone on to win 11 majors across three different decades – the fourth best tally of all time.

“His 18 major final defeats have pretty much all come across the greats of the game; seven times to Taylor, four to Michael van Gerwen, three times to Littler and twice to Peter Wright.

“The two finals he lost at the hands of Scott Waits and Jose de Sousa at the 2010 and 2020 Grand Slams respectively will probably sting but overall he’s never stopped testing himself against legendary talents.

“Throw in the fact he’s desperate to reach a World Championship final, it’s a potent mix that will ensure he’s going to stick around at the top for many years to come.

“And that’s what we must remember. His story is far from finished. I've said on record that I don't think he's going to win a world title.

“But now I’m starting to eat my words because he's going to go into the tournament this year as one of the favourites.

“When you think how much younger he is than the age Peter Wright was when he finally won a world title, it’s certainly a distinct possibility.”

Image: Taylor Lanning