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attempting to do this time. Could history be about to repeat itself for the modern day 125-1 man?
“I never expected this rise. I am just a normal working boy,” said Cross.
Incredibly, not until November’s Grand Slam in Wolverhampton had Cross even met Taylor.
He said: “I got a photo with him. It sounds sad now, doesn’t it? He did say to me, ‘You and me in the final in the worlds’. I have watched Phil since being a young boy of around 12 when I fell in love with the game. He is an inspiration.”
But Cross, who lives in Hastings, is not here by luck. He reached the quarter-final of the Grand Slam, was runner-up in the European Championship and made the Players Championship semi-finals.
Since February 1, he has become the new star of world darts. A former electrician, he joined the professional PDC tour on that date and has progressed so quickly through the ranks that he started the tournament as world No20 and his odds just before the event had shortened to 14-1.
And, in the early hours of yesterday morning, with a dart soaring magnificently into double eight, Cross beat the defending champion and world No1 Michael van Gerwen 6-5 in a sudden death shoot-out after an extraordinary semi-final.
“Friends locally put money on at 125-1 and one guy got 250-1. He is sitting on a pretty portion. Knowing him, he would have put on quite a bit,” said Cross.
“I believe in my own ability. I feel I can be better than I am. I have always been able to throw darts but since having three kids and the responsibility, I know what it is like to graft for money. It changes you. Hopefully when I finish darts I can give my family a better life. I never play for money but the more you can bring in for them… I am not here for the fame.”
Whatever happens tonight will be his biggest pay day, with the winner banking £400,000 and the runner-up collecting £170,000.
It truly is the hottest ticket in sport, because when MC John McDonald clears his throat to launch into his renowned “16-times champion of the woooooooorld!” welcome and the booming of The Power by Snap roars out, it will be the last time as a professional that Taylor will make his way to the stage.
Those missing out are the 65 nations not showing the match... because PDC chairman Barry Hearn revealed that it is being countries.
Hearn said: “We all reach our sell-by date. Phil has reached his and he is a big enough man to admit it. Getting to the final is amazing achievement for a man of his age. It would not surprise if he won it. That is Taylor. He is a winner.
“The curtain comes down on what has been an illustrious career and we should say thank you.”
Almost five months into his 58th year, Taylor’s enthusiasm and desire to win the title for the first time since 2013 are as great as ever, as he showed with his fist-pumping on the way to knocking out Jamie Lewis 6-1 in their semi-final.
Taylor said: “Can I tell you a secret? I’ve never really believed I can win this beamed live into tournament. I still don’t think I’m going to win it – but I am going to enjoy it.
“At face value, getting to a world championship final at 57 is my greatest achievement of all but when you look at what’s happened over the past two weeks, maybe I’ve just been lucky.
“All the big seeds have fallen by the wayside. Let’s be honest, I’m not the best player in the tournament. I’m too old and too tired now.”
And will there be tears? “I’m sure there will be,” said Taylor. “One more time, and that’s me done.
“Don’t worry about me – I can handle the emotions, I’m fine.”
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