Dutch five-times darts world champion is hoping to bring the noise again after a difficult spell before a rowdy Ally Pally audience
There are not many players left standing in the world of darts who remember the days of old, but Raymond van Barneveld will never forget what the sport was like before his life changed for ever. The 55-year-old, who is the Netherlands’ greatest tungsten technician, will be part of an exclusive club of two, along with Steve Beaton, to play in 30 world championships – of which he was won five – when he makes his return to the Alexandra Palace for the latest edition of the tournament, which begins on Thursday night.
It is a remarkable feat of longevity in an ever-changing sport, one not even the great Phil Taylor could accomplish. It is a story that began all the way back in 1991, when darts was a very different game to the one that will be given the full bells-and-whistles treatment on Sky Sports and have sold-out crowds at Ally Pally night after night.