“A digger is easy to drive, easier than a car and I love it" - Phil Taylor swaps darts for manual construction

Phil Taylor has since gone on to do new things after his retirement from the sport. The 16-time world champion is now playing his trade as a builder as he works on building site helping to construct a pub.

'The Power' has switched his nickname to ‘The Power Drill’ on site as he enjoys his switch in career. The pub is named after the 65-year-old, with it being called Taylor’s Bar in Stoke-on-Trent, which is where he resides from.

It is not just the pub that is set to be the main attraction. The site also features a nearby campsite and there are also plans for fun family activities including a petting zoo and children’s play park. Taylor is having fun in his new career, swapping darts for diggers. “A digger is easy to drive, easier than a car and I love it," Taylor told GiveMeSport.

“I am labouring away. I have been doing shuttering, helping with fencing because they want to set up a petting zoo for the kids near the pub. Shire horses, goats, ducks for the pond, pheasants and a park for the kids."

A chance to leave the house and get his hands dirty is an appetising task for Taylor. “I just love being out in the fresh air and doing something physical. I have had my day in darts, the game has moved on from me and good luck to them. I like getting my hands dirty and having something to do. I am not an office person and I was never going to do nothing after retiring from darts."

While the days are tough, the main thing is that he is enjoying himself. “It can be tough, I wouldn’t say I am full-time. But I really, really enjoy it," he admitted. “I am using muscles that I haven’t used for 40 years and at first it was quite hard and I really ached. But it’s like going to the gym. It doesn’t take long, your body gets used to it.”

The site is located in Burslem, in rural Staffordshire. Business is good with merry campers taking the time to visit the pub which obviously has a dart board situated inside.

“Working up here is incredible," he continued. "The views are spectacular, the work is honest and one day you can be wearing a T-shirt and shorts and the next you need a thick jumper and a coat to keep out the cold. Sometimes you have to keep knocking off regularly just to keep warm. But I love it.”

From once being the greatest player to throw a dart, Taylor admits that he does not even own a set anymore. This is taking a big step away from the profession that he mastered for so many years.

“I don’t even own a set of darts now. I certainly don’t practice anymore. I do have some somewhere but I don’t play," he said.

“I think my last game was beating Martin Adams in the seniors last year. I am done with darts. There is a dartboard in the pub but I don’t use it. The pub is a great place to be. There is beer, food, entertainment and quiz nights. Loads of stuff. The scenery is beautiful with an old Roman church nearby too. It beats Ally Pally and the Circus Tavern - just!”