DARTS legend Dennis Priestley turns 60 on Friday - and is determined to be the oldest swinger in town at the StanJames.com World Matchplay in Blackpool.
Priestley will enjoy a low-key celebration with 'a pint and a bit of practice' in his local pub in Mexborough after being drawn to face Vincent van der Voort in the World Matchplay's opening game on Saturday night.
The two-time World Champion will emulate John Lowe and Bob Anderson by continuing to compete beyond his 60th birthday when he steps on stage at the Winter Gardens, where he is looking to claim the £100,000 title.
"It would be nice to be the oldest player to have a good run in one of these events and still play well," he said. "I remember John playing well in the UK Open when he was nearly 60 and Bob Anderson in the World Championship a couple of years ago.
"The problem I have now is that I'm not consistent. Obviously I can still play a bit because I've won a few tournaments in the last year, and to do that shows I can still play, but it was on a good day.
"When it comes to the televised events you've got to be on a good day five times and it's about achieving that consistency."
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"It would be nice to be the oldest player to have a good run in one of these events," Dennis Priestley |
"At one stage, when you're diagnosed and told you've got cancer, you don't think you're going to see 60," he said. "But the treatments have come on tremendously and they're doing a great job.
"I got the all-clear in April from my latest test and I'll go again in October. It will be nice when they say not to come back for a year, but I suppose I'd be happy to keep going every six months if it doesn't come back.
"It was hard playing during the treatment, because I got very tired. It's that as well as age to be honest, because I'm no spring chicken.
"I suppose it's an achievement to have kept myself up in the top 16 despite everything that's happened, I hope people look at it like that anyway."
Priestley is planning to celebrate in his home town of Mexborough before travelling across to Blackpool on Saturday morning for his clash with van der Voort.
"It's not going to be a big celebration, like my 50th was!" he said. "We're planning to go out as a family for a meal and then maybe to the local pub for a drink, and I'll probably even have a practice in there.
"I've still got to try and be professional about the job and prepare myself to play Vincent."
Priestley reached the World Matchplay final in the first three years of the event, from 1994-1996, and begins his challenge for another memorable run against Dutchman van der Voort in a clash of contrasting styles.
"Vincent is probably the fastest player on the circuit and I'm classed as very sedate," said Priestley, wryly referring to his slow but deliberate action.
"He's going to have to adapt and play at my pace, because it's not going to bother me one bit.
"I won't be rushing about because you can soon get into that rhythm and it's no good to me - I'd be out of breath!"
The StanJames.com World Matchplay is being held from July 17-25 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Limited tickets are still available on 0844 856 1111.