THE CHAINSAW MASSACRE
Gary aims to cut rivals down to size
GARY ANDERSON plans to cut through an entire Ally Pally field now he’s a dab hand with his chainsaw.
The two-time world champion is in chop form as he begins against Adrian Lewis tonight. Anderson is chilled out after spending time working away around his recently acquired fishing lakes. The 50-year-old doesn’t mind a bit of graft, having been in the building trade for a spell before hitting the heights in the PDC. He said: “I love it, I love being out in the fresh air. “In the summer I was out 12 or 14 hours a day. “It’s peace and quiet, not having to talk to anybody. “I’m not actually fishing much. It’s just tree work, getting the old strimmer and chainsaws out. “I have four lakes over 14 acres. It’s staying on top of stuff. I really do enjoy it – it’s good for the blood pressure. “I was a grate builder for 19 years, humping slabs of marble about. I think when you’ve been in the building trade, you still like to get the tools out. “Even in this weather I’m out at 7am until it gets dark. I smile a lot there.” Anderson goes into the Worlds unfancied for glory, having failed to chalk up a major success this year, but the Scottish hero comes alive at the Palace.
Anderson has reached five finals and said: “I lost to Adie [Lewis], beat Phil [Taylor], beat Adie, lost to Michael [van Gerwen] and to Gerwyn [Price]. I need to get to another one, so that’s six, and win it so it’s 50/50.
“What preys on minds is that they don’t know which Gary is going to turn up – is it the one who wants to play?
“It’s playing on stage time as well. These boys are all playing the Europeans with crowds.
“At the Grand Slam, up on stage I was nervous as hell.
“It’s like starting again. Maybe that’s a good thing.”
Anderson puts himself under no pressure these days. Alongside his work at the lakes, his young family keep him occupied.
Son Tai is a budding footballer and Anderson added: “I enjoy taking him to his games.
“He plays Saturday and Sunday and trains Monday, Tuesday and Friday. He loves it.
“He’ll never be a dart player, I’ll make sure he’s not.”
Anderson may be approaching the twilight of his career but there are no plans to walk away from the sport.
He said: “I’ll not retire. I’ll just stop or have a long break.
“Then if I want to come back, I’ll have never stopped playing. It will just have been time off.”