Deller on dedication to World Seniors Darts Championship: "We aren't treating it like a glorified exhibition"

Keith Deller is part of the field for the World Seniors Darts Championship which is set to take place next year and is nearly sold out already at the Circus Tavern.

Deller as 1983 World Champion is looking forward to it and the excitement was all to see as he listed off the names involved.

"I can't wait. When I got the phone call from Jason Francis to say that there's a World Seniors event, we'll have TV, it's going to be big do you want to play, I said yes please. I just couldn't wait to say yes," said Deller to Online Darts.

"When you see the players in the event it's going to back to when you think the second World Champion, John Lowe. Bob Anderson, three World Masters on the trot. Myself 1983 biggest viewing figures for a World Final when I beat Eric (Bristow). Then you start going up through the years. Martin Adams, Mr Lakeside and you've got Wayne Warren who won the last one, Trina Gulliver nine times Ladies World Champion, Richie Burnett. There's so many players we can say, it's going to be a very big event."

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Personal dedication

For Deller, it all starts now with retirement meaning that only exhibitions have been played, he is looking at playing tournaments to get his sharpness back.

"I've started already because you've got to put the effort in and if you do, you've got more chance of playing better on the night," he added.

"I'm going to play tournaments to get some sharpness. Simon Whitlock when his form dropped, he kept playing in opens, he got his form back because he got back to playing under pressure and I think that's what I need to do. Maybe more than other players."

"I'm treating it like I did in 1983, we aren't treating it like a glorified exhibition."

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Eyes on Taylor

Also he was pleased that Phil Taylor is involved to heighten the credability of the tournament but of course wants to be the one who stops him becoming World Champion.

"I just feel we are very fortunate that we've got Phil Taylor because I don't think this would have possibly happened without Phil because when you've got the best player of all time - gives the tournament so much more credability."

"I would like to stop him. I think there's going to be quite a few players you're gonna have to stop being on that trophy. I keep having a joke with him that I keep having these dreams every night I said I keep beating you and you keep missing doubles."