Anderson Swallows Bitter Pill

A legend set in Limestone steps back from the limelight.

Bob Anderson,1988 World Champion and three time World Master, is calling time on TV competitive darts at the Senior Masters at its new home of Westlands in Yeovil.

The last active member of darts original ‘Fab Four’ has finally concluded:

“It was a difficult decision; I must be honest and not one I really wanted to make. But I realised that I am no longer as competitive as I used to be, and it was a bitter pill to swallow.”

Since rejoining the fray last year, to help put the World Seniors Darts Tour on a sound footing, The Limestone Cowboy has provided several iconic moments to cherish, especially that final throw 180 and finger point at the inaugural Seniors World Championship, but overall he seems disappointed with how he has fared in the events themselves.

“It’s been a thrill to get back into the arena but a disappointment at the same time, I would compete when I felt competitive and that feeling is not there which is very sad. But, I always give it my best and I intend to do so in Yeovil.”

You only need to look back at the, thankfully plentiful, footage of Anderson in his pomp to see just how competitive the former javelin thrower is by nature and he will be no different in his final broadcast event.

Anderson will face Richie Howson in the Final match of the opening session, with the 75-year-old looking forward to his walk-on at Westlands.

“I’m looking forward to the walk on more than I am to the walk off, I’m nervous about it but then again, I always did feel nervous before a tournament and I think it’s a good sign, if I’m feeling nervous then it shows that I’m thinking about what I must do.”

Some of our sport’s original audience will once more tune in and hope to see that legendary finger point and perhaps even that determined snarl again. His 3-in-a-row (from the floor to the title) at the Winmau World Masters was never and will never be matched and the WSDT equivalent seems an appropriate event for him to wave goodbye from.

Many have grown up with Bob as a leading figure and have passed that respect on to younger fans so it won’t just be the grey haired amongst us that feel a pang of sadness as the Limestone Cowboy rides off into the sunset.

Allied to that sadness should be a deep sense of gratitude to a man who contributed hugely to our first golden age, helped found the modern era of the PDC and then assisted in ensuring that, like his own career, there is a place for those who have contributed so much after their time at the top table is complete.

YouTube player — Listen to Bob Anderson’s full interview

The World Senior Masters starts on the 25^th-26^th ^of June from Westlands in Yeovil, with 16 players including defending champion David Cameron and 2-time reigning Senior Masters Champion Robert Thornton all hunting down the trophy in set play format.