Thornton Hunts World Title Hattrick

Robert Thornton comes into the opening Senior Darts Major Tournament as the defending World Champion for the 2^nd year running, as the Circus Tavern hosts the third staging of the Seniors World Darts Championship.

Thornton defeated Richie Howson 5-2 in last year’s Final, whilst also hitting an average of 98.72 in a 3-1 Quarter Final victory over former Lakeside World Champion Neil Duff.

The Scottish international is the only winner of a World Seniors Darts Championship having also won the inaugural tournament, beating 3 Time Lakeside World Champion Martin Adams 5-1 in the Final.

Robert Thornton lifts 2023 World Senior Darts Championship at the Circus Tavern.

The Thorn will hope to return to winning ways on the World Seniors Circuit, having claimed three Major Televised tournaments since the organisation was introduced. The Scottish international has become accustomed to winning in Purfleet, as he hunts down his hat-trick starting on the 15^th ^ofFebruary.

Thornton will open his campaign against Martyn Turner at the Circus Tavern, with Mutts recently reaching the Last 16 of the Lakeside World Championships.

New names will compete in Purfleet including former PDC Tour Card holder Richie Burnett, who will make his debut on the Seniors Stage this weekend. The Prince of Wales reached the Quarter Finals of last year’s UK Open and will hope to replicate that form onto the Seniors Stage.

The Red Dragon player lost his Tour Card at the end of last year having reached the Alexandra Palace 2 years ago, and the Welshman will be raring to go on his return to the Circus Tavern.

The former Lakeside World Champion will take on another former champion in Keith Deller MBE, for a spot in the Last 16.

Leonard Gates was the standout player on the World Seniors Circuit in 2023 after he claimed major successes in the World Seniors Masters, World Seniors Matchplay as well as the inaugural Champion of Champions in Blackpool having won the Golden Ticket competition.

The American will feature in a second consecutive World Seniors Darts Championship, with this a competition Leonard is yet to win. Gates lost out to Richie Howson in the Semi Finals last year, having beaten the likes of 3 Time Lakeside Winner Martin Adams and Tony O’Shea earlier on.

The Winmau player will face Northern Ireland’s Colin McGarry in the Last 32, as the tournament number 2 seed.

Phil Taylor will feature in a Final World Senior Darts Championship, after announcing last year he was retiring from competitive action.

The Power is yet to win a Major on the World Seniors Circuit but reached the Finals in the World Seniors Matchplay and World Senior Masters 2 years ago.

Phil has reached the Quarter Finals in both of his Senior World Championship campaigns at the Circus Tavern and will hope for a better run in 2024, facing Manfred Bilderl in the Last 32.

Former World Championship Finalist Andy Hamilton takes on Tony O’Shea in his opening clash in the World Seniors Circuit, whilst MODUS Super Series Champions Week Winner Matt Clark will face Scott Mitchell.