''If it hadn't been for alcohol, I probably wouldn't have won anything in the sport" - Dennis Priestley makes striking confession

Two-time world champion Dennis Priestley doesn't think he could have achieved his successes without the help of alcohol. He makes that startling admission in conversation with OLBG.

Priestley was one of the best players in the world in the 1990s. He became world champion at Lakeside in 1991 by defeating Eric Bristow 6-0 in the final. In 1994, "The Menace" played in the very first final of the PDC World Darts Championship and there, he defeated Phil Taylor 6-1.

Read also

"I created the monster that Phil Taylor became" - Dennis Priestley believes he played a big part in 'The Power's' two decades of dominance

Consuming alcohol helped Priestley control his nerves. ''If it hadn't been for alcohol, I probably wouldn't have won anything in the sport,'' stated the now 73-year-old Englishman. "You've just got to know exactly the right amount you need to keep a steady nerve.”

"When I won my first World Championship, I probably had three or four bottles of Holsten Pils during the build-up to coming on stage. It just calms the nerves."

According to Priestley, even today there are hardly any players who do not drink prior to a match. ''Players will definitely be drinking before games, even at this year's tournament. There aren't many that go on stage without having a drink before they play. If you can name a handful of players who haven't had a drop of alcohol before their games this year, I'll be gobsmacked."

Read also

Michael van Gerwen thinks he's "probably deserved four or five" World Darts Championship titles already: "But I’ve still got plenty of time"