Phil Taylor, the 16-time world champion, has traded his darts for a hard hat and high-vis, working on a building site in Stoke-on-Trent helping to construct a pub named after him. The 65-year-old, now going by the nickname ‘The Power Drill’ on site, is enjoying his new career in manual construction.
The pub, called Taylor’s Bar, is located in Burslem, rural Staffordshire, and is part of a larger site that also includes a nearby campsite and plans for family activities such as a petting zoo and children’s play park. Taylor told GiveMeSport: “A digger is easy to drive, easier than a car and I love it. I am labouring away. I have been doing shuttering, helping with fencing because they want to set up a petting zoo for the kids near the pub. Shire horses, goats, ducks for the pond, pheasants and a park for the kids.”
Taylor, who has stepped away from the sport he dominated, said: “I just love being out in the fresh air and doing something physical. I have had my day in darts, the game has moved on from me and good luck to them. I like getting my hands dirty and having something to do. I am not an office person and I was never going to do nothing after retiring from darts.” He admitted the work can be tough but that he really enjoys it: “I am using muscles that I haven’t used for 40 years and at first it was quite hard and I really ached. But it’s like going to the gym. It doesn’t take long, your body gets used to it.”
Taylor also revealed he no longer owns a set of darts: “I don’t even own a set of darts now. I certainly don’t practice anymore. I do have some somewhere but I don’t play. I think my last game was beating Martin Adams in the seniors last year. I am done with darts.” Despite a dartboard being present in the pub, he doesn’t use it, preferring the scenery and atmosphere: “There is beer, food, entertainment and quiz nights. Loads of stuff. The scenery is beautiful with an old Roman church nearby too. It beats Ally Pally and the Circus Tavern – just!”
