Blackpool's Winter Gardens buzzed last night as Gary Anderson clinched a hard-fought victory at the World Matchplay, but it wasn't just his performance on the oche that grabbed headlines.
The Flying Scotsman, ever the candid character, launched a scathing attack on the sport's younger generation, longing for a bygone era of camaraderie and banter.
Anderson, eyeing what he admits is a ticking clock on his illustrious career, didn't hold back in his post-match reflections.
"The good old days, that's when darts players were darts players," he reminisced.
"Me, [Adrian] Lewis, [Phil] Taylor, Kevin [Painter] , we used to sit and have a crack and a laugh.
"Aidy Lewis was brilliant, and I wish he comes back. I do miss him."
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What did Gary Anderson say?
His yearning for the past stems from a perceived lack of connection in today's professional circuit.
"Nowadays, nobody talks to anybody. The youngsters are boring, absolutely boring. You talk to them, they’re too busy looking at their phones."
Anderson's frustration is palpable as he contrasts the modern approach with the ethos he grew up with.
"These youngsters, they’re here to do a job. They’ve got to the stage now that they’ve realised, they’ve got a great chance in life to make a lot of bloody money and boost themselves."
Anderson's blunt assessment will undoubtedly spark debate within the darts community.
Is he a negative veteran out of touch with the times, or a wise old head pointing out a genuine shift in the sport's culture?
Either way, his words add another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a captivating World Matchplay.
For now, however, 'The Flying Scotsman' is still flying, albeit with a longing gaze fixed on the past.
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