Adams ready for 27th World Championship appearance: "To walk away from the Lakeside was the wrong thing to do"

Martin Adams will kick off his 27th World Championship appearance under a new era for the WDF albeit in the home of World Darts itself, the Lakeside.

Adams spoke ahead of the tournament beginning about his Lakeside memories and cannot wait to be back.

"I think it's fantastic. I was so disappointed the year we weren't there when a World Championship was played by the BDO. To walk away from the Lakeside was the wrong thing to do, there were so many people that went there every year. You saw familiar faces every year, so hopefully we will see those lovely faces again," said Adams to Richard Ashdown for the WDF.

As a player sponsored in the past by the venue, he knows the title sponsor and Bob Potter very well.

"He loves it, he sort of counts the days till it's on and one of the amazing things you see. Two days before it starts, there's Bob running around moving tables and chairs. He's got staff to do it but Bob loves doing that. It's amazing to watch him."

Going back, he reached the Quarter-Finals on his debut back in 1994 which brings back fond memories.

"The one thing that always stands out was the first round. I've got Per Skau, first leg done him in 12 darts. Single 20, treble 17, bullseye. Thank you very much, that calms the nerves."

In 2007, Adams won his first of three world titles. In the final he saw Phil Nixon come back from a 6-0 deficit, but in the deciding set Adams managed to finish it off.

"I was 6-0 up. I just didn't think it was the Phill Nixon I knew that was playing. I thought I know Phill plays better than this and you're waiting for him to start and you're waiting and waiting. Come back on for the break and I remember seeing Phill bottom of the stairs, three darts in his hand banged himself on the leg with them and then went out to play.

"He took the next six sets, that was the Phill Nixon I knew. It wasn't until the 54 on 14, tops. Thank you very much. I mean that's the bit that wins it, I'd been chasing that for 14 years and never managed to get there."

Between 1994 and 2020, Adams missed only one World Championship in 2019 but still was part of the punditry team and received adulation from the crowd. "They were absolutely phenomenal and at their loudest, I had to stand there and I'm pushing the ear piece in to hear what is being said to me. It was just amazing."

Want to still head to Lakeside? Click here to buy your tickets for the return to Lakeside if you would rather enjoy the action in person in Frimley Green.