January 2, 2024 will mark the 30-year anniversary of the first ever PDC World Championship final, which saw Dennis Priestley triumph in an event that changed the darting landscape forever.
The 1994 World Darts Championship took place at the Circus Tavern following 18 months of controversy within the sport, after 16 players left the BDO to form the PDC – formerly known as the World Darts Council.
Priestley – originally a coal merchant by trade - dismantled his old adversary Phil Taylor 6-1 in sets to clinch the inaugural title, marking the dawn of a new darting era.
“I went into that World Championship without any great expectations,” conceded Priestley, who had previously lifted the BDO World Championship title in 1991.
“My form hadn’t been good all year, but I played better as the tournament went on which is always a good sign, and I ended up being the champion!
“It was a massive moment. Whether it’s darts, boxing or even athletics – just being known as the World Champion. It’s the pinnacle.
“It never even dawned on me until people said: ‘You’re the first ever PDC World Champion. Nobody will ever be able to take that away from you’.”
That historic contest remains Taylor’s joint-heaviest defeat in PDC World Darts Championship history, although the 16-time World Champion avenged that result in some style over the following years.
The pair contested further World Championship finals in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000, but despite Priestley’s best efforts, an irrepressible Taylor prevailed on all four occasions.
“The 1996 final was probably the best one between me and Phil,” added the Yorkshireman, who succumbed with a 101.48 average – the first ton-plus average recorded in a PDC world final.
“It was great to be involved in, and it’s always special to set records, although I wasn’t keen on the losing part!
“I’ve been quoted many times as saying I created the monster that Phil Taylor became, and you have to admire what Phil went on to achieve.
“Normally you look at a sport and if somebody has dominated for a decade they’ve done quite well, but Phil dominated for two decades, which shows the desire and the commitment of the man.”
Priestley also enjoyed impressive longevity at the sport’s top level, defying a slump in form in the early 2000s to earn a place in the lucrative Premier League in 2007.
The man nicknamed ‘The Menace’ was then diagnosed with prostate cancer later that year, although his indomitable spirit was underlined by his refusal to walk away from the sport.
He eventually retired at the conclusion of the 2014/2015 season, and he admits to being blown away by the sport’s global growth throughout the last decade.
“I never expected the game to grow to the level it has,” revealed Priestley, who pocketed £16,000 for his World Championship success in 1994.
“I thought when Phil [Taylor] walked away there may be a bit of a lull, but fair play to the youngsters and the other top professionals who have kept the game moving forwards.
“The game has gone from strength-to-strength. The PDC have always been one step ahead and they’ve kept evolving. It’s absolutely marvellous.”
Earlier this week, Priestley conducted the draw for this year’s Alexandra Palace extravaganza alongside Taylor, ahead of the 30th anniversary of the inaugural PDC World Championship.
The 73-year-old also helped to launch ‘The Big 180’ campaign, which has seen title sponsor Paddy Power pledge to donate £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every maximum hit in this year’s tournament.
“It is so generous it is unbelievable,” added the two-time World Champion, a PDC Hall of Fame inductee.
"Nearly all cancers can be beaten if caught early enough, including prostate cancer. I'm the proof after 16 years that if you get it diagnosed early enough you can beat it.
“This will make a massive difference to what Prostate Cancer UK are able to do, so it is fantastic news.”