Darts: Great and good pay homage to Taylor
SIR Clive Woodward, who coached England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, was among those who was impressed as 52-year-old Taylor came from behind to claim his 16th world crown.
Sir Clive tweeted: "Wow – what is the Power eating after each game? Some food company should brand it....what a comeback."
The knight of the realm also explained just why darts is far more than a pub game.
He explained: "Darts is definitely a sport – most top sports allow true champions to show how they perform under pressure. Darts has this in abundance."
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Stoke City's former England striker Michael Owen had backed Taylor from the start. He said Taylor's iron resolve had proved the difference in the 7-4 victory.
He said: "Average ending. Thought MVG gave in slightly in those last couple of sets. In every sport, skill gets you so far but mental strength is the key."
Owen wasn't the only Stoke player watching the darts final. Defender Andy Wilkinson settled down in his pyjamas to watch the game with his children, much to the amusement of his wife Emma who posted a picture of them.
She tweeted: "So this wasn't what I had planned for a romantic night in, oh plus the darts."
England women's cricketer Danielle Wyatt, from the Westlands, was at the Alexandra Palace to cheer on Taylor in the final.
She made clear she was supporting her fellow North Staffordshire sports star.
She said: "Amazing atmosphere! Buzzing! Come on Stoke!"
The England all-rounder was also impressed with Taylor's fancy footwork as he celebrated winning key moments of the match.
She added: "Liking the Stoke-on-Trent shimmee. Wait till he pulls out Gangnam Style!"
Adrian Lewis, who won the world title in 2011 and 2012, was close with his prediction of a 7-5 Taylor victory.
The darts ace, from Cross Heath, said: "Well done @PhilDTaylor and @MvG180. Great final."
Former Port Vale striker, now BBC pundit, Mark Bright, also paid tribute to fellow Potteries sports star Taylor.
He said: "When Jose and Fausto Elyuhar discovered Tungsten they did so with Phil 'The Power' Taylor in mind. Genius, 16 world titles."
Popular former Stoke City defender Carl Hoefkens was also backing Taylor in the final. He said: "Should be one of the best games ever. Gooooo Phil."
The match didn't disappoint Stephen Fry. He said: "Stayed off Twitter because I'd recorded the darts. Now watched it. Am in bits."
After Taylor's semi-final victory over Raymond van Barneveld, Fry tweeted: "Oh, the Power – such ruthless accuracy."
TV sports presenter Clare Balding was also impressed with Taylor's performance, especially as he had revealed he was under the weather.
She said: "What a comeback from Phil the Power. Wish I had a cold that made me under-perform like that."
Manchester United and England star Rio Ferdinand was also gripped by the final.
He said: "Who's at the darts? Any pics flying about? I want to feel the atmosphere via Twitter!"
Finally, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan would love to see Taylor in Rio in 2016.
He said: "Darts should be in the Olympics."
Follow the Sentinel Sports Team on Twitter – Keith Wales @SentinelSportEd, Michael Baggaley @MBaggers37, Pete Smith @PeteSmith 1983, Guy Pearson @GuyPearson1
Comments
by dougalcross
Saturday, January 05 2013, 2:00PM
“@NOONESHOME,
Phil has certainly added to the prestige of darts, but you should not call it a sport. It is an indoor pastime, like ludo or embroidery (but without the skill levels of the latter).
And will the person who stole my darts from Wolstanton village Tavern in 1970 please return them?”
by NOONESHOME
Friday, January 04 2013, 8:34AM
“Congratulations to the Phil the power on another fantastic achievement,He just keeps astounding everyone.I have never believed in giving honours to sportsmen,or anyone that gets paid to do a job,but you have to say what Taylor has achieved is astonishing to say the least, and would never be done in any other field of sport. Do not forget this sport or pub game for the detractors is played by hundreds of thousands of people,Possibly millions and to be be top of the tree. and win so many titles for so many years beggars belief. While i doubt the snobs of sport,or the queen will ever give Mr Taylor his true recognition,He will always be loved and revered for services to Stoke on Trent.Well done Phil.”