"Great times and something I’ll always fondly look back on”: Colin Lloyd reflects on World Matchplay triumph in 2005

Colin Lloyd became World Matchplay champion in 2005 picking up his second major title with a 18-12 win over two-time World Champion John Part.

Lloyd recently appeared on a podcast ‘Weekly Dartscast’ where discussed the pairs build up to the game. “We were upstairs in the practice room having a bit of banter, having a laugh. An hour before that’s when it got a little bit serious…John said to me I’ll never recognise you as world number one or champion, unless you beat me in this final.”

"It was clear that Part was trying to wind me up and get under my skin...it didn’t really work. I started laughing, you’re having a laugh aren’t you, my record speaks for itself.”

Lloyd had previously won the World Grand Prix before and had established a winning pedigree. Although a little taken back by Parts tactics, “I thought to myself don’t think you’re going to walk up to that Oche (John) and I’m just going to roll over”.

Leading up to the game Lloyd had been in good form, winning the Bob Anderson Classic, “I knew how I was playing." Both players had endless amounts of respect for each other, “we both smiled and shook hands”, as the game proceeded and quickly Lloyd established himself in the game and was in a comfortable position leading 17-9 needing just one more leg to be crowned World Matchplay Champion and pick up his second major title, one that would write his name in history.

“All of a sudden it went from 17-9 to 17-12” Lloyd had let a few legs slips, leaving doubt in his own mind whether or not he was going to get this over the line. “If I don’t win this leg now were going to an Ad break, all the momentum is with John.”

“Fortunately, I took the leg with a memorable 170 finish” to win the game 18-12 and for the first time take the title of World Matchplay Champion against John who that year was one of the best players in the world, competing in the Premier League.

Part never managed to get his hands on the Matchplay title, losing previously in 2002 to Phil Taylor who won the title a record breaking 16 times. Lloyd’s title was the only Matchplay title Taylor did not win between 2000 and 2006. The title was one of only two major wins for Lloyd: “It showed how much it meant to me, I didn’t even put my arms up in the air, I just turned around went to shake John’s hand and gave him a hug”

Despite all the fun and games leading up to the final, Part showed sportsmanship. “Great person and lad John is, he just gave me a hug and said you were great, you played brilliant.” Looking back on the importance of this title, Lloyd stated “I won my second major, great times and something I'll always fondly look back on.”