SOUR POWER

Taylor reveals he’s been keeping a low profile because ‘if I tell the truth I get slated’

PHIL TAYLOR will be relieved when the curtain falls on his incredible career – because he is tired of being “slated” on social media.

The Power resumes his crusade for a Hollywood finale at the William Hill PDC darts world championship tonight against Keegan Brown, admitting some of the backchat and Snapchat is “killing” him.

Taylor is still dreaming of closing a golden age for arrows with an astonishing 17th crown at the age of 57.

He has become increasingly outspoken – with world No.1 Michael van Gerwen often in the firing line – and the tidal waves of goodwill towards a retiring legend have washed up assorted flotsam and jetsam from his social media critics.

To limit the potential for controversial distractions, he has restricted his post-match commitments at Alexandra Palace to a minimum.

But even after trouncing Justin Pipe 4-0 in the second round before Christmas, his interview with Sky Sports anchorman Dave Clark turned into a wayward ramble.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to finishing, but I also really want to win it one more time, if that makes sense. I’ve got Keegan Brown next and he’s got 30 years on me, and I’ve got to play him at his own game. “When I saw who I’d got in the first round (promising Chris Dobey), I was thinking, ‘Here we go’ – I’ve never been beaten in the first round of a world championship and it couldn’t have been much harder. “If you’re looking for the future of our sport, there’s your future – Chris and Keegan Brown.” Taylor then revealed the reason for his silence between rounds at Ally Pally. The Power has grown weary of the knives out for him on chatroom forums.

“Every time I tell the truth, I get slated,” he groaned. “I don’t want to say anything because, if I tell you what I’ve done for the sport, I get hammered. I don’t want patting on the back for it – I would rather just walk away and that will do for me.

“I’ve had a fantastic career, I’ve done fantastic, and I’ve tried my best to give everybody everything I can.

“For 25 years I’ve never run another player down but, even though I’ve done it recently, it’s not just me because we’re all in the same boat. We’re all trying to win a world championship, but the way it’s going is killing me.”