"Phil had not lost since the competition started": Wade gives his 'Four Before 40' including ending Taylor's 44 match winning run
PDC
James Wade will turn 40 next week and as part of that, he used his latest weekly column on Daily Star to give a four before 40 with some of his best moments including beating Phil Taylor and ending his Premier League Darts run.
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"Ending Phil Taylor’s 44 match unbeaten run in the Premier League in Glasgow in 2008. Phil had not lost since the competition started in 2005 and was achieving an air of invincibility," said Wade as per Daily Star.
"It was really strange because I had a feeling that, on my Premier League debut, I would beat him and I did – with an 8-6 victory. It was a great feeling and really announced my arrival as a Premier League player although the old saying goes "he who laughs last" and we met again in the final that year – with me averaging over 100 and still losing 14-8!"
He followed that up with World Matchplay glory which also holds resonance now with his wife Sammi being from that part of the world.
"In 2007 I arrived at the World Matchplay in Blackpool having made it to the final the previous year. I already loved the place and felt right at home there (interesting seeing as I ended up marrying a Blackpool girl) and was confident I could go one better. I beat the likes of Mervyn King, Adrian Lewis and Terry Jenkins in the final and it was a massive moment for me because it was an achievement, I knew no-one could ever take from me.
But his last two moments see him go from deflation to elation entering The Priory due to mental health struggles only to emerge to win a major again.
"Who thought that one of my list would involve entering the Priory? Well, it is more about leaving. I was in a real state when I was admitted in 2011, and I genuinely thought I might never play darts again.
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"I went to the 2011 UK Open with no expectation (just glad to be there and alive) and it was an amazing feeling to lift the trophy. I had experienced major success before that, but it was probably the first time I really appreciated it and it sunk it the challenges I was facing.
As well as a moment for not only himself but Robert Thornton with the double start nine-darter as 'The Thorn' lost his mother only weeks prior.
"It is a standing joke that whenever there is a nine darter about then James Wade is either throwing it or watching it, and both was the case here!
"Robert Thornton and I did one each in our 2014 encounter in Dublin, and the atmosphere and crowd reaction was unreal. It was poignant as Robert’s mum had recently passed away and he was emotional, and that venue was always vibrant anyway.
"Getting a nine darter with a double start is true perfection, and I was delighted when I hit mine – but I can honestly say I was also chuffed for Robert when he followed suit later in the game."
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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.
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