Phil Taylor is determined to put on a show for Inverness darts supporters and prove to rival Ted Hankey that you should be careful what you wish for.
Hankey, the 2009 British Darts Organisation world champion, has long challenged 15-time Professional Darts Council world champion Taylor – and will now get his wish in the Highland capital.
The pair have been kept apart for almost 20 years due to the rival organisations in the sport but the Scottish crowds are in for a rare treat at the Inverness Ice Centre on Wednesday.
Taylor is well known as “The Power” and the charismatic Hankey is nicknamed “The Count” because of his passion for Dracula movies. He even drives to events in a hearse.
Last year he said: “Taylor is scared. He knows that I have the game to beat him.”
But Taylor is ready to make his rival eat his words.
Taylor said: “Ted has been calling out for this match for some time but I do not think there was much demand from television.
“They see it as a bit of a mismatch because they expect me to smash him up. They are probably right. Maybe if Ted can win a few more BDO world championships then it would happen.
“Ted said a few things last year, such as he had space for me in the back of his hearse, but it was all taken in jest. I am sure he will be the one dead and buried in Inverness.
“I am really looking forward to it. I cannot even remember the last time I played Ted, it has been so long.”
Taylor can normally rely on a warm reception north of the border. He added: “I remember being in Inverness in the early 1990s not long after winning my first world championship.
“But is was such a long time ago I don’t have many recollections of the trip, so I am hoping that being here will bring back some of the memories and let me see how the place has changed and grown since it became a city.
“I always enjoy playing in Scotland. We always have a bit of fun. I usually get some stick from the Scottish supporters but it is good-natured. I love seeing people enjoy themselves and the Scottish crowd certainly know how to do that. It should be a great night.”
Taylor’s match with Hankey is the main attraction but there is plenty more to catch the interest.
Aberdeen’s John Henderson taking on 2008 BDO world champion Mark Webster is another encounter and then there is the meeting of the two best women players in the world as Anastasia Dobromyslova faces Deta Hedman. Taylor said: “It should be a cracking night.
“Henderson is a good player and will have plenty of backing and everyone knows how good Webster is.
“The women’s match should be a real treat.
“Anastasia is a great talent but she will have her work cut out against Deta.”