ROB A 125-1 OUTSIDER WHO WANTS THE THRONE BEHIND THE POWER
ELECTRICIAN Rob Cross was a 125-1 outsider to win the world title in February – the same odds Phil Taylor overturned to wear the crown 28 years ago.
Tonight, in the PDC World Championship final at London’s Alexandra Palace, he takes on ‘The Power’ as equals again, just six weeks after posing for a photo with Taylor in a moment of starstruck hero-worship.
Cross, 27, became an overnight sensation when he toppled reigning champion Michael van Gerwen in a pulsating sudden-death semi-final, one of the greatest darts thrillers of all time. And the shooting star from Hastings – where they have specialised in arrows ever since King Harold
copped one in the eye from William The Conqueror in 1066 – believes the meeting of master and heir to the throne is just the start of him doing “some real damage” on the oche.
Cross (right) said: “I have never played Phil before but I have written my own book over the last year so why can’t I write it again?
“The first time I spoke to him was at the Grand Slam six weeks ago and I got my photo taken with him. It sounds sad now, doesn’t it?
“But he did say ‘You and me in the final at the World Championship, bud’ – he must be Mystic Meg. I’ve watched Phil play on TV since I was about 12 and I fell in love with darts. He is an inspiration and I am going to be playing an inspiration in the final so I need to be inspired.
“Some friends put money on me to win the world title when my odds were 125-1, and one guy got on at 250-1. He is sitting on a pretty portion if I win and, knowing him, he would have staked quite a bit.
“I won’t be disrespectful to Phil but I have to be myself.
“I am quite aggressive when I play and the fact that it’s his last game on stage doesn’t matter to me. It’s a great privilege to be playing him in his last match, but I am here to win.
“I have always been able to throw darts but I had to give up a few years ago to provide for my family. Since having three kids, and the responsibility that goes with it, I know what it’s like to graft for money.
“I am not here for the fame, but I can still improve my game by 30 per cent.
“Then I know I can do some real damage.”