Darts legend who beat Bristow, Taylor and Priestley plotting comeback after injury woe
EXCLUSIVE: Former World Matchplay champion Peter Evison, 60, opens up about his plans to return to the sport after injury
Peter Evison in action at the World Matchplay which he won in 1996 (Image: Getty)A darts legend who routinely beat greats of the game is plotting a comeback following an injury nightmare. Peter Evison often got the better of Eric Bristow and Phil Taylor in his heyday in the 1980s and 90s, and beat Dennis Priestley in the final of the World Matchplay in 1996.However, in recent times, he has been hampered by a chronic injury in his throwing arm, stemming from suffering a trapped nerve in his neck back in 2012. Now, after a period of rest and some hard work in the gym, Evison is close to playing regularly again.Provided he can throw pain-free, he is pondering entering PDC Q-School next year in a bid to win back a Tour Card or playing on the World Seniors Tour. Explaining his injury, he said: “I was in the gym and I felt something go in my arm, so I stopped. That night, I went to play darts and it felt stiff.Michael van Gerwen chokes back tears after emotional win over Luke LittlerDarts icon was banned from playing mates for making PDC debut at World MatchplayStay up-to-date with the latest Darts newsJoin us on WhatsAppOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy“When I threw the dart, it hit the skirting board, it was nowhere near the dartboard. I thought, ‘what’s going on here?’ I couldn’t throw a dart.“I started doing more in the gym and it was getting a little better. Then I stopped playing, then started again. On the back of the elbow, it went all flabby, like there was no muscle there. Now, it’s nearly back to normal. I look at it near enough every day. With the amount of work I’ve been putting in, in the gym, it’s coming back to normal.”Peter Evison is planning a darts comeback (Image: Getty)Now he can see light at the end of the tunnel, Evison is cautiously preparing for what could be a busy 2025. He said: “In the next few weeks, I will start playing again to see if the muscle has fully repaired. Then I’ll go back, either in the PDC Q-School or the Seniors Tour.“It depends if my arm’s good enough and if I can get my mind back to normal, so I’m not worried about who I play.”AdvertisementQ-School will take place in January while the burgeoning Seniors Tour, which has featured Taylor, will hold its next World Championship at the Circus Tavern in February.Daily Express – Golf NewsletterEnter your email address hereSUBSCRIBEWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy PolicyGary Anderson booed after brutal gesture in World Matchplay defeatLittler dumped out of Matchplay by Van Gerwen as pre-match comments backfireLuke Littler fumes over Michael van Gerwen loss in deleted social media postLatest videos’It’s an illness’ Jane McDonald opens up on shopping addiction as she ‘can’t pass a shop’Anne Robinson questioned about cosmetic surgery after £9,000 faceliftJohn Wayne’s kindness to Sophia Loren on set where she almost died nearly 70 years agoITV Emmerdale ‘exit’ for Kim Tate as fans ‘work out’ villager is killedCaptain Mainwaring star Arthur Lowe said there would be ‘no Dad’s Army’ after one tragedyJudd Trump shows true colours after shock English Open exit to 20-year-old rivalMark Selby fumes at ‘roasting’ English Open snooker venue and gives retirement verdictBBC host Gabby Logan admits son begged her to stop talking about her sex lifeJohn Higgins hits incredible double kiss snooker commentator dubs ‘greatest I’ve seen’Snooker scores LIVE: Mark Allen dumped out of English Open after Judd Trump upsetLuke Littler gives cheeky three-word reply after pulling out of darts event ‘to play FIFA’Ronnie O’Sullivan ‘splits’ from actress fiancee Laila Rouass again after 12 years togetherLuke Littler put on notice by Michael van Gerwen with eight-word darts warningLuke Littler withdraws from Hungarian Darts Trophy and fans think they’ve worked out whyNeil Robertson ‘wasn’t looking forward to snooker matches’ and opens up on rankings dropSnooker scores: Allen defeats Higgins at English Open after icon’s 1000th century
