Anderson puts dark days behind him to rule world

GARY ANDERSON is now out to snatch the Premier League after silencing nasty snipers with his brilliant world darts triumph.

The Scot’s final victory over Phil Taylor (below right) on Sunday at Ally Pally drew over one million viewers on Sky Sports.

It completed a remarkable career turnaround for the 44-year-old, who had looked washed up at the end of 2013.

Anderson had slipped out of the world’s top 16 following poor form and the loss of his father and brother.

Despite winning the 2011 Premier League, he had finished at the foot of the table for the following two seasons.

But the world champion is now the man to beat when the tournament starts in Leeds on February 5.

Anderson recalled: “People were saying, ‘He is finished’, but I could not give two monkeys what they think.

“There are some horrible people in the world who keep sniping at you – I just got on with it.

“I’ve done a lot of practice and got my confidence up, and I’m really happy with my game.

“I wasn’t that nervous coming into the final and I’m learning to enjoy my darts. I feel okay on the stage now.

“It’s nice to get my hands on the trophy. I have been playing for a long time and people were starting to doubt me. “I was starting to doubt myself, but I have stuck in there and it’s a fantastic win.

“This is what we all play for and put so much work in for. To finally pick up the trophy is great.”

Anderson’s success saw him become the third player to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy, which is named in memory of the late former commentator.

Anderson was keen to pay tribute to Waddell, saying: “I was in the BDO for years, and when I came across and met Sid I thought he was brilliant.

“It’s people like Sid who helped put darts where it is.

“There’s also Phil Taylor, Eric Bristow and Barry Hearn pushing darts through the roof – and it’s these kind of people who have made us have a sport and a living that we have now.”