Well, my old mate Sid Waddell has been hard at work with his own Top 10 darts stars of all-time and his Top 10 entertainers, so how about this for an alternative…..a twist in the list if you like!
I thought it would be good to draw up my own lists…..but with a difference! First, this is my top 10 from the last five years. I have been following the sport of darts for over 30 years, since the early days of the old ‘Embassy’ when Bristow, Lowe, Evans, Wilson and Rees weaved their darting magic but after five years in the Sky Sports commentary box, let’s have a modern-era Top 10…..
You can’t argue with Taylor and Barneveld at the very top…..Nobody will come close to Taylor’s achievements and although some may argue that at the moment, Barney is the better player, ‘The Power’ is simply the best.
Barneveld has been brilliant since switching to the PDC only 18 months ago….He has already won four ‘Majors’ and his battles with Taylor have all been fantastic sporting entertainment.
My number three would have to be John Part….if it hadn’t been for Taylor, the Canadian would have dominated the world of PDC darts. He is a class act and he is one player I would pay money to watch.
The rest of the top 10 is my opinion. I am going on what I have seen, pure talent, natural ability and box office. For me, this list has to be about the whole package.
There are bound to be disagreements and differences of opinion and putting Martin Adams at No.10 may raise a few eyebrows but until the BDO World Champion competes against the best in the world on a regular basis, it is difficult to judge.
1 – Phil Taylor
2 – Raymond Van Barneveld
3 – John Part
4 – Wayne Mardle
5 – Michael van Gerwen
6 – Mervyn King
7 – Colin Lloyd
8 – James Wade
9 – Peter Manley
10 – Martin Adams
It was a tough choice….to leave out the likes of Lewis, Terry Jenkins, Scholten, Mason, Painter, Priestley and Baxter was difficult but hey, this is a personal choice!
My second list was perhaps even harder to put together…..it is all hypothetical but it is my list predicting the top 10 in the World in the PDC Order of Merit in five years time. Who will be among the elite in world darts in 2012?
1 – Raymond Van Barneveld
2 – Michael Van Gerwen
3 – Phil Taylor
4 – Mervyn King
5 – James Wade
6 – Colin Osborne
7 – Terry Jenkins
8 – Andy Hamilton
9 – Adrian Lewis
10 – Simon Whitlock
And don’t get your knickers in a twist! It is only my opinion – but it would be good to hear what you think…..who is in your Top 10 over the last five years? And who will make up the Top 10 in five years time? Let me know!