Bobby George claims peak Phil Taylor would struggle to match Littler & Humphries: 'Phil was in a time where he could win a lot because the standard was not high'

With 16 world titles and 87 major tournament victories between the 1990s and 2017, Phil Taylor is in the books as the most successful dart player of all time. Yet the legendary Bobby George is certain that Taylor would not have had that kind of success if we were playing in today's darts landscape.

According to fan-favourite George, known as 'The King of Bling,' Taylor made his name at a time when the level of competition was not nearly as high as it is today. “He was a good player in tournaments obviously because he won a lot," George begins. “But I think Phil was in a time where he could win a lot because the standard was not high then."

George acknowledges that Taylor trained hard and devoted himself fully to his sport, but points out that his style flourished when given an advantage by his opponent. “He practiced, mind you, and put himself out. Phil is a front runner. He can hit everything when he’s in front," George explains. "But when he gets behind, he goes — because they didn’t hit him heavy enough back then.”

Whereas Taylor often played against a handful of established rivals, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are in an era where every match at the highest level is a major challenge. The younger generation not only has more modern training methods and better equipment, but also a wider field of formidable opponents. “He was a great dart player and Taylor was a guy for pumping the dartboard," George says. “I’ve got to give him credit — hours and hours of practice. He was dedicated. That’s why he won a lot of tournaments."

Still, George doesn't think Taylor would stand a chance against today's top players today. “But the equipment, the training, the level — it’s all changed now. It’s easy to say but I don’t think he really can compete with the guys of today because they are too good now. They are too consistent and playing each other all the time,” concludes the darting icon.