He goes on last because he is the biggest draw. If he had the power (arf) and influence people suggest he has, he'd surely be going on earlier, given his age. He is a bit of a tw@, evidently, but Manley was a tool and deserved all he got. Only one sportsman measures up to Taylor in terms of longevity at the top of their profession and that's Tony McCoy.

I agree with the original post about Taylor, and don't really understand why people dislike him. He's the most relentless winning machine I've ever seen in any sport and is always hungry for more no matter what he has already achieved. He's a phenomenon.

On saying all that though, I wanted van Gerwen to win last night. That lad is just pure excitement to watch, and his quarter final V Lewis was unreal. I know Taylor is far from finished as winning his 16th World title proves, and even Barney got to the semi and won the last major, so he's still got a bit left in the tank too, but given their ages and the quality of the MVG and Lewis match hopefully those two will be the future of the game and the major rivals going for big honours constantly of the next ten years.

THIS.. really couldn't agree more...

Much prefer Ted "The Count (possible spelling mistake

)" Hankey. A true pantomine villan if ever there was one!

Have we ever had the "is Darts a sport" debate on here? Jamie Peacock commented the other day that anything that can be played in a pub can't be a sport.

Incredibly skillful "sportsmen" though but as a person, yes, Taylor is a nipple.

....Yes, he's a top 'sportsman', isn't he??

I can't wait for him to appear on the next edition of 'Superstars' that the Beeb will undoubtedly do again in the future....That will prove all the Darts doubters wrong, when 'The Power' is seen defeating all comers in the pool, on his bike, around the track, and in the gym test....

I once beat an England bar billiards international at pool, so Jamie Peacock can knob off, I am by virtue of this achievement, unarguably a world class sportsman.

[size=50(The international bar billiards competitions consist of England vs Jersey. And that's it).[/size

Not a big fan of Taylor at all, can tell he's from Stoke, must be one of the most depressing places in the UK and that's saying something.

That said he's one brilliant darts player, and yes it is a sport.

Darts simply is not a sport, end of. Neither for that matter are dominoes, tiddlywinks, bar billiards, shove ha'penny, buckaroo, mousetrap or cluedo!

Quite enjoyed Superstars although not quite as exciting as the good old days (the 70's not the popular old time music hall TV show).

Keith Fielding did really well at it and I've no doubt modern RL players would show up really well if the programme was revived, might do the game some good a national audience?

Oh yes and darts isn't a sport and Phil Taylor is a bell

Didn't Taylor get voted as runner up in the BBC sportsman of the year award the other year? Similar to Jessica this year!! Even coming higher than Murray, Mo Farrah etc



What does Peacock know about anything-He is a neanderthal

I can only imagine it was a dire year for British sport on the occasion that Taylor came second.

Peacock may appear to be a neanderthal, but his criteria for what qualifies as a sport is as good as any argument for or against, than I've heard before.

Darts is no more of a sport than Poker or Dominoes.....Yes, there is a skill to it, but that doesn't make it a sport - I really don't get why people seem so determined that it be recognised as a sport. Does it really matter??

Personally, I'd say that Ballroom dancing, or even the old Gladiatiors TV programme, are more of a sport than Darts, but that doesn't mean I don't acknowledge the level of skill or dedication that people like Phil Taylor show.