TAYLOR TARGETS WDF RETURN AFTER DRUGS SUSPENSION

DOM TAYLOR has spent more than 100 days clean after completing a stint in rehab following his drugs ban.

The Tower received a six-month suspension after testing positive for banned substances during December’s PDC World Darts Championship.

The Darts Regulation Authority confirmed Taylor admitted breaching anti-doping rules after cocaine and cannabis were found in his sample. 

Taylor had already served a one-month suspension for a previous violation late in 2024, with the latest punishment handed out in line with UK Anti-Doping regulations for a second offence. 

Manager Mac Elkin has revealed the Bristolian has received aftercare from Sporting Chance and is rebuilding his life away from the oche.

Elkin admitted he was left devastated by the situation and did not speak to Taylor for weeks after Alexandre Palace.

He told the Weekly Dartscast: “It’s soul-destroying for me. It was hard to come back from it and it was hard for me to speak to Dom. 

“I think it took about three or four weeks after the Worlds until we spoke. I was so disappointed in him. 

“I am not going to go deep into it but Dom has got a problem. He had a problem. He got done the first time, we thought he was okay, obviously he wasn’t and we didn’t know.

“We couldn’t tell he was on drugs or taking anything. It was a recreational drug so he took it when he was with certain people in certain environments. 

“He never ever took it at darts as far as I believe and when he told me that, I do believe him. 

“When he tested positive it was obviously before the Worlds had started because the reading was so low they could tell when he took it. 

“But again, it was really disappointing because I don’t know why you would jeopardise not just him but my money as well.”

Elkin admits he chose to stand by Taylor through his addiction struggles and revealed a return to competitive action in the WDF is now close. 

He added: “It’s cost me a lot of money because I booked all the hotels and paid for all of it in advance. 

“I have booked this year’s hotels and his flights to Germany this year. I even booked business class for him as a treat. 

“Then that happens. The hotels were fine because I could change it to Adam Gawlas’ name because he has a Tour Card. 

“When I spoke to Dom he was in tears and couldn’t apologise enough. I went, look, at the end of the day I was disappointed because you have done it twice. 

“But I’m not going to judge you, you have got a problem and we need to sort it. The PDPA stepped in and they really looked after him. 

“He went into rehab through Sporting Chance. He spent 28 days in rehab and he has now spent 100 days clean, probably more now actually. 

“He hasn’t drunk, still throwing darts and looking forward to July when he can start playing competitive.

“Who knows where he’ll be in July. He wants to play a few WDF events after July — we are looking at Gibraltar.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.