"If I'd been playing now, I'd be fined all the time": Former World Matchplay winner misses fiery personalities like Gerwyn Price in darts
PDC
Former World Matchplay champion Peter Evison believes today's top darters have become too nice. According to Evison, there is an urgent need for more fiery figures like Gerwyn Price.
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The frequency with which top darters compete against each other, especially in events such as the Premier League, has perhaps toned down the feuds that used to be common. And according to Peter Evison, winner of the 1996 World Matchplay, this has made the game less entertaining. Evison sees players nowadays fooling around and hugging each other more after a match.
He feels the sport lacks fiery personalities and calls on players to be more ruthless, even at the risk of fines. Evison himself was a controversial figure during his heyday, so he knows a thing or two about the subject.
"We need characters like we had in the 80s and 90s, a bit of fun. It's taken too seriously now," he told the Daily Express. "If I'd been playing now, I'd be fined all the time probably.
"Why be pally? At the end of the day, they're taking money off you. These people are playing you and if they beat you, they're taking the bread and butter out of your mouth. I'd rather talk to no-one, get on with no-one and get out there and earn the money for myself. People are too friendly, too nicey-nicey. You've got to be ruthless, I'm afraid."
Price caused quite a bit of controversy especially in his early years, but has mellowed over the years. One of the most famous matches in which Price caused consternation was the 2018 Grand Slam final against Gary Anderson. It ultimately earned "The Iceman" a fine of 11,500 pounds.
"Gerwyn Price, that's the way you've got to be," added Evison. "They've [the PDC] changed him. They've told him not to act like that, do this, do that.
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"If I was him, I'd act like that, pay my fine. I wouldn't care, as long as I was getting up people's noses and winning. He's a character of the game."
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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