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Phil Taylor believes Bedlington darts ace Chris Dobey poses a ‘big challenge’ ahead of their meeting in the first round of the World Championships this evening.
The 16-time World Champion will retire from professional darts after this year’s tournament, ending 30 years at the top of the sport.
Bowing out by winning a 17th World title would be the fairytale ending for the greatest player of all time, but the 57-year-old is under no illusions about the threat the north-east star poses.
“It will be a big challenge for me,” Taylor told the PDC’s official website.
“Chris has made massive strides in the last couple of years and is wanting to make his mark, but I can go up there relaxed because I’ve nothing to lose.
“It’s my final World Championship and I want to enjoy it.”
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Bedlington darts ace Chris Dobey admits it is a ‘big thing’ to be playing Phil Taylor in a World Championship but is motivated by the prospect of being ‘The Power’s’ final ever professional opponent.
Taylor, who has been crowned World Champion an incredible 16 times, will retire after this month’s World Championship, bringing the curtain down on a career that has spanned over 30 years.
‘The Power’ has won over 80 TV major titles during his illustrious career and won his first World title 27 years ago - four-and-half months before Dobey was born.
The pair meet for the first time on a televised stage this evening, and while Dobey is excited to play a ‘legend of the game’, he is determined to make a name for himself and become the final man to beat the most decorated player of all time.
“I was happy with the draw,” Dobey told ChronicleLive.
“I knew it was always going to be a tough one but with it being Phil’s last year, it’s nice to say you have played Phil in a World Championship.
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The 25th edition of the PDC World Championships rolls into town on Thursday, as darts fans are treated to 18 days of pure tungsten theatre.
72 players will compete for the famous ‘Sid Waddell Trophy’ - named after the Geordie darts commentator who helped transform the game into the global brand it is today.
Michael van Gerwen became a two-time World Champion last year as he beat Gary Anderson in an exhilarating final, and he arrives at the Alexandra Palace in London, as the overwhelming favourite for a third world title.
He opens the show this evening against 2012 BDO World Champion Christian Kist, who has struggled badly through injury this year, and is unlikely to prove too much of a hurdle in MVG’s pursuit of the £400,000 first prize.
Emerging stars Mensur Suljovic and Daryl Gurney will be confident of success after winning major titles in 2017, while the rise of debutant Rob Cross this year has seen him competing at the latter-end of major tournaments.
All three players are in van Gerwen’s half of the draw, however, as is five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld - who famously knocked van Gerwen out in 2015.
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A burglar is behind bars for Christmas thanks to quick action by local residents in Newcastle.
At around 11.45pm officers on the Newcastle North Neighbourhood Policing Team received a report that a man was attempting to break into vehicles and garages on the Great Park estate.
Officers responded and a man was arrested nearby matching the description provided by the public.
Karl Devlin, 27, of no fixed abode, was charged with burglary other than dwelling, two counts of interfering with a motor vehicle and two counts of possession of a class B drug.
And at Bedlington Magistrates Court this morning (Tues) Devlin pleaded guilty to the charges against him and was sentenced to 17 weeks in prison.
He is one of a number of burglars convicted as part of Operation Sleigh – Northumbria Police’s festive campaign to put burglars behind bars this Christmas.
PC Gareth Welsh said: “We just want to say thank you to residents in Great Park who were vigilant and reported this incident to police.
“We were able to respond quickly and identify a suspect in the area before anything of significant value was stolen.
“As a result of their quick action a burglar is now behind bars for Christmas and he won’t be able to ruin this time of the year for any other members of our local communities.
“It is always really positive when the public can work together with police to help us take opportunist thieves like Karl Devlin off the streets.”
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The 25th edition of the PDC World Championships rolls into town on Thursday, as darts fans are treated to 18 days of pure tungsten theatre.
Michael van Gerwen became a two-time World Champion last year as he beat Gary Anderson in an exhilarating final, and he arrives at the Alexandra Palace in London, gunning for a third world title.
Anderson, a two-time World Champion himself, and number two seed Peter Wright are likely to be riding on van Gerwen’s coat-tails as this year’ competition promises to be the most exciting yet.
Retiring darts legend Phil Taylor looking forward to Newcastle swansong in the Premier League
16-time World Champion Phil Taylor will call time on his illustrious career after this year’s tournament and he will be keen to sign off with a 17th triumph on the world stage.
However, we have a vested interest of our own in Taylor’s progress, as he takes on Bedlington star Chris Dobey in the first round.
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We asked readers to share a photograph of their Christmas tree - and what a fabulous display there is to see!
Over 800 readers showed off their Christmas pride and joy - and then voted for their favourite trees from those posted on the Newcastle Chronicle Facebook page. And here are are top 20.
Thanks to all who shared some Christmas joy - from huge, blazing beauties to treasured family heirlooms. As you can see, there is a huge range of trees, with fibre-optics or handmade decorations and unusual colour schemes. And there are lots of ideas for dressing your own tree if yours has yet to go up.
This article features the favourites from our Facebook page by 9am on Thursday - but we will feature more later this week in further galleries, so do look out for them!
1. Seb Howarth in Whitley Bay topped our poll with 262 reactions to his wonderful, traditional-style tree, glowing with hundreds of tiny lights and topped by a little Christmas fairy. He said: "This is our first Christmas in our new home." Congratulations on a marvellous tree!
2. Steph Craig's Newcastle tree was very popular too, with 206 reactions - a huge vote from those who love the stylish bright, white look at Christmastime. The big bows are a fashionable addition which those who haven't got their tree dressed yet might like to imitate.


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