Darts legend Phil Taylor has a new career and a new nickname after taking up work on a building site helping to construct a pub.
The 16-time world champion is now known as ‘The Power Drill’ and he loves driving diggers and chopping timber as a labourer.
The greatest darts player of all time jokes that the best thing about the hard graft is ‘going home’ at the end of each day but he wouldn’t swap it for anything – not even a return to the oche where he once reigned supreme.
Work is still ongoing to complete ‘Taylor’s Bar’ which is adjacent to Charlie Bassetts pub in Stoke-on-Trent.
Taylor has Swapped the Oche for Labouring
Taylor, 65, 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.
“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.
“It can be tough, I wouldn’t say I am full-time. But I really, really enjoy 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.”
The pub is situated in Burslem, in rural Staffordshire. A campsite next door means the boozer is regularly full and Taylor’s Bar of course has a dartboard.
Taylor said “Working up here is incredible. The views are spectacular, the work is honest and one day you can be wearing a T-shirt and shorts and the next you need a thick jumper and a coat to keep out the cold.
“Sometimes you have to keep knocking off regularly just to keep warm. But I love it.”
The legendary arrowsmith achieved the inimitable during a 1993 UK Matchplay showdown with Jockie Wilson.
Taylor: ‘I don’t Even Own a Pair of Darts’
Taylor won the PDC World Darts Championship eight years in a row between 1995 and 2002 and was world number one from 2006 to 2013.
In all, ‘The Power’ landed a record haul of 87 major titles and is regarded as the greatest darts player of all time.
He joked: “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.
“There is a dartboard in the pub but I don’t use it. The pub is a great place to be. 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!”
Former FIFA referee Darren Cann has cast a strong verdict on the decision that saw Enzo Fernandez given his marching orders for a second yellow card during the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday night.
Just moments after the Argentina star had been shown a first caution for a heavy tackle on his Spain opponent, the Chelsea midfielder then received a second for showing dissent.
It is unconfirmed that was the case for why the second booking was issued, but commentary seemed to believe so, despite the tackle itself being described by Wayne Rooney as ‘silly’ as well.
Former Referee Casts Verdict on Enzo Fernandez Dismissal in World Cup Final
Maria Lysaker /IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
Cann, who himself has managed the high-pressure situation of officiating a World Cup final, said while live on duty for the BBC’s coverage:
“Correct, no argument guys, it’s a clear second yellow card for Enzo [Fernandez], and the red card is absolutely correct in my opinion. I do not expect the VAR to intervene.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was always going to be massive, with the introduction of more teams and more games across three nations. However, long before a ball had even been kicked, the main talking point for fans was the ticket pricing.
Tickets were originally being sold for a normal cost, but thanks to resellers and FIFA’s new dynamic ticket pricing model, ordinary group stage matches were costing fans thousands to attend. Tickets for the final had been selling for hundreds of thousands; however, the most expensive of all were the VIP tickets, which were being sold for $1million.
What Does a World Cup Final VIP Seat Look Like?
New York/New Jersey Stadium via Reuters
Whilst there was an array of VIP experiences available to fans throughout the tournament, the hospitality provider at MetLife Stadium took it to another level.
Tickets were labelled as ‘on-the-pitch seating’, with 12 luxury seats positioned at eye level with the pitch on the halfway line. The images also appeared to show fans given hats to deal with the fun.
Sports Knightsbridge Circle, a luxury concierge firm, also offered a $4 million hospitality package for those wanting to splash the cash in New Jersey. They sold six front-row seats on the halfway line, with fans given access to the pitch during the trophy ceremony.
The images above show how extreme FIFA have gone with their hospitality packages. Whilst the tickets do allow the fans to get up close to some of the game’s biggest stars, $1 million for a 90-minute, potentially 120-minute, game of football doesn’t seem like a good sign of things to come in the finances of football.
Fan Reaction to $1 Million VIP Seats
New York/New Jersey Stadium via Reuters
After seeing images of the seats posted to VIP seats, fans were quick to reply with their thoughts on the most expensive tickets in football history.
One fan wrote: “Probably the worst view for a football game. It might work for the NBA or NFL.”
A second wrote: “All that to sit on a polyester Amazon Couch…”
Another wrote: “Stupid people who think basketball courtside seats are best applies to football too. These are s****y seats. But hey, f*** you all if you are willing to pay a million bucks for a football match seat.
A fifth said: “Worst seats and view, but let’s be real, anyone buying those tickets are not there for the football.”
You scored
out of 20
Clearly, to the average fan, these VIP tickets aren’t worth the price just to sit up close to the pitch, even it is the biggest game in international football. Whichever side of the debate you may be, the numbers from this tournament paint a horrid picture. For a game that was once for the fans and built around accessibility, it has now became a game based on revenue and tickets that are worth four times the price. FIFA will argue the model is fair and has worked, with high attendances to most games, but the debate around ticket pricing has almost become more talked about than the 90 minutes on the pitch itself.
Leeds have opened talks to sign a new midfielder in the summer transfer window as they look to bolster Daniel Farke’s options in the middle of the park.
Reports have claimed that Leeds remain confident that they will sign the Northern Ireland international, with a deal close to reaching a positive conclusion.
Whether Leeds are in the market for another midfielder after that remains to be seen, but they have opened talks to secure another signing.
Leeds have completed two new additions in the summer transfer window so far, signing Harry Wilson on a free and Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo.
It remains to be seen whether Musah is being eyed as an alternative to Charles in case they fail to get a deal over the line, or whether they are looking to sign both this summer.
AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim wants to evaluate the American international in pre-season after he spent the previous campaign on loan at Atalanta.
The Italian club could be willing to let Musah leave on loan once again, while Leeds face competition from the likes of Lazio for his signature.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Musah deal could raise doubts over other targets
Daniele Mascolo-REUTERS
Leeds’ potential pursuit of Musah could raise doubts over whether they are going to get a deal over the line for other targets.
Signing both Charles and Brandt, followed by Musah, feels unlikely, so they may be simply preparing for the worst in case the likes of Charles or Brandt don’t arrive.
Either way, it certainly feels like a move to sign a midfielder is their next priority after securing deals for both Wilson and Muharemovic earlier in the window.
