GARY ANDERSON has spoken of his pride in winning the William Hill World Championship title to complete his darting renaissance following a remarkable 12 months.
The Scottish star had slipped out of the world's top 16 at the end of 2013 following a dip in form and the loss of his father and brother, and despite winning the 2011 Premier League had finished at the foot of the table for the following two seasons.
Having also relinquished a 3-1 lead to Michael van Gerwen during the 2014 World Championship, Anderson had vowed to return to his best - and was true to his word in an amazing year which culminated in Sunday's Alexandra Palace triumph.
Anderson firstly won seven PDC ProTour titles during 2014 to top the ProTour Order of Merit - ahead of van Gerwen - and then went on to win the Cash Converters Players Championship Finals in Minehead at the end of November.
That success was followed by Anderson's stunning World Championship triumph, which saw him land a tournament record 62 180s during his six matches before he edged out Taylor 7-6 in their memorable final.
Anderson also avenged his defeat to van Gerwen of a year ago on the Alexandra Palace stage with a semi-final win over the reigning champion, and had also come from 3-1 down to win 4-3 against another Dutchman, Jelle Klaasen, in the second round.
"It's not sunk in yet, but it's feeling good so far and I'm going to enjoy this because it's been a long time coming for me," said Anderson. "I've had a really good year.
"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, and I feel okay on the stage now.
"It's nice to get my hands on the trophy. I've been playing for a long time and people were starting to doubt me - and I was starting to doubt myself - but I've 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."
A see-saw final had seen Taylor twice hit back from two sets behind to level - at 3-3 and 6-6 - before the Scot swept through the deciding set to deny his rival a 17th World Championship crown.
"I was in the lead and feeling comfortable but when Phil got back to six-all I was feeling the pressure," admitted the 44-year-old.
"When you're playing Phil, he's got so much experience of closing it out in the final set. He's there best player there ever will be, and that's how he's won 16 World Championship titles, but every dog has his day!"
Anderson's success saw him become the third player to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy, which is named in memory of the late former Sky Sports 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.
"He was absolutely fantastic, and it's people like Sid who helped put darts where it is.
"There's Phil Taylor, Sid, 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."