As the dust settled on the recent World Cup in Germany, where England crashed out in their first game to the host nation, darts legend Dennis Priestley weighed in with some tough love. Teenage World Champion Luke Littler struck back, in a since deleted ‘X’ post, questioning The Menace’s career achievements.
Darts World thought another World Champion might offer a view on the rights and wrongs of this tungsten tangle. 1983 Word Champion Keith Deller knows something about being the young gun but also played most of his career with Dennis. We caught up with him for a reaction.
Was Keith shocked at the early exit? And did he think the dream pairing of Humphries and Littler got some unfair criticism? Let’s ask him:
“It was a little surprising, yes. But pairs and singles are so different. You have to wait longer to throw, and it’s not a good rhythm for some. Ideally, you need a duo with a good scorer and a good finisher. I always thought the toughest draw would be against Germany, and Schindler played really well. England began slowly, and after they were put under pressure, they got into trouble.”
Of course, much was said about the criticism of Team England from multiple World Champion Dennis Priestley. The Yorkshire legend didn’t hold back, suggesting that the two Lukes let their country down. As someone who knows Dennis very well, what did Keith think of the comments?
“I don’t agree – it’s ridiculous to say that. If anything, Humphries and Littler let themselves down and just didn’t play to their potential. But they tried their best. You can’t play great all the time and win everything. At the end of the day, they never gelled.
Dennis has his opinion, and he has every right to express it. But the lads also have the right to disagree and respond to it.”
Did the hostile German crowd play a part?
“It probably didn’t help, but those two are used to those kinds of crowds. It’s no worse than they might hear on a regular Premier League night. What bugs me the most is the whistling – I hate it. If I hear it, I just think, get them out. It’s something that really irritates me, and it always seems to happen in Germany. It needs to be looked at.”
Former World Champion Keith Deller and PDC Hall of Famer Russ Bray are coming to the Grosvenor Casino in Luton.
The darting royalty pair will share legendary stories from their years in the game and take part in a live Q&A.
There will even be an opportunity to step up to the oche and challenge the 1983 BDO World Champion – just don’t refuse the bullseye if Deller is sat on 138! You’ll also have the chance to get a photo with these icons.
The event takes place on Sunday, July 13th, from 4 pm. To grab tickets for this unmissable event, simply click on this link.
—–ENDS—–
Images: Winmau
