Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld: Darting giants to play virtual match on Thursday to raise money for coronavirus charities

By Chris Hammer

20:38 · THU April 09, 2020

Darts legends Phil Taylor and Raymond Van Barneveld are all set to renew their epic rivalry on Thursday night - only this time they'll both be playing for charity from their own homes.

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The pair met on 83 occasions during their glittering careers and although the Power bossed the head-to-head record with 61 victories, Barney did land some notable blows of his own - not least the iconic 2007 World Championship final after just one season with the PDC.

BEVan Barneveld v Taylor - 2007 World Championship Final

This virtual meeting will take place via Target's electronic soft tip Nexus board, which has a built-in webcam and microphone that allows players to see their opponent wherever they happen to be in the world.

The best-of-13-legs match will start at 7pm and be shown on Paddy Power’s social media channels, while Sky Sports presenter Dave Clark will host the show, with legendary MC John McDonald even announcing their respective walk-ons from their kitchens.

Donations from viewers will be encouraged while Paddy Power will donate £1,000 for every 180 thrown to the charity Heroes in the battle against the Covid-19 crisis.

The 16-time world darts champion told the Sun: "This is more for the NHS, I’m not bothered whether I win, lose or draw, it’s all about raising money."

Taylor, who retired after his defeat to Rob Cross in the 2018 final, also admitted he's not tempted about a return to the competitive ranks on a permanent basis although there's a small chance he may give the 2021 UK Open a crack if he feels up to going through the Rileys Amateur Qualifiers.

He added: "A comeback? I’m too old now, I’ve got arthritis in my right hip. I’ve got to have a new hip fitted when all this dies down. I pulled my back.

"I’m not fit enough to compete against these youngsters now and put the practice in.

"If the UK Open is on next year, I might have a little go at the local Riley’s club, why not? I do [fancy my chances] on what I saw last year, the amount of texts I get saying: 'You can still win this Taylor, get your darts out.' I’m thinking 'get lost.' After next year I’m retiring fully, so it’s pipe and slippers after that one."

As for his rivalry with five-time world champion Barney, the 59-year-old still feels a sense of frustration of a couple of the notable defeats, despite his overall domination.

He said: I've loved it over the years, in fairness, and it’s strange that it’s the first time we’ve actually going to work together, playing against each other on nice terms, where we’re not battling against each other.

"I should have never lost that [2007 final]. I’m sitting here now thinking that’s money I’ve thrown away there that I could have used now.

“One of the best ones, even though I lost it, was the UK Open in Bolton in 2006, when he went jumping round the stage like a kangaroo. He went out on 97. I’d just missed, I think, three at double top to win it and he went out on 97.

"It was the most talked about rivalry. Sky would put up “Taylor vs Barneveld” and they had a clock ticking down for a few weeks."

CLICK HERE FOR MATCH REPORT AND VIDEO OF WHAT HAPPENED IN BARNEY v TAYLOR 'AT HOME'

Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld: Head-to-head

Overall H2H: 61-18, 4 draws
TV Meetings Since Barney joined PDC in 2006: 39-14, 4 draws
World Championship Meetings: 3-2
All PDC Finals: 11-2
Televised Finals: 9-2
Major TV Finals: 5-1
18-12: 2010 World Matchplay
6-3: 2009 World Grand Prix
13-11: 2009 Las Vegas Desert Classic
7-1: 2009 World Championshio
6-2: 2008 World Grand Prix
6-7: 2007 World Championship
Meetings from 2016-2017: 8-3

Phil Taylor career highlights

77 major titles (72 in PDC)
101 TV titles (96 in PDC)
237 overall titles (185 in PDC)
11 televised nine-darters

PDC Major titles

14 x PDC World Champion (1995-2002, 2004-2006, 2009, 2010, 2013)
16 x World Matchplay champion (1995, 1997, 2000-2004, 2006, 2008-2014, 2017)
11 x World Grand Prix champion (1998-2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013)
5 x UK Open champion (2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013)
6 x Grand Slam of Darts champion (2007-2009, 2011, 2013, 2014)
6 x Premier League champion (2005-2008, 2010, 2012)
4 x European Champion (2008-2011)
3 x Players Championship Finals champion (2009, 2011, 2012)
Masters champion (2013)
Champions League of Darts winner (2016)
5x Las Vegas Desert Classic (2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009)
Masters of Darts (2005)
4x World Cup winner (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016)

BDO Major Titles