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Dennis 'The Menace' Priestley

Born in Mexborough in 1950, Dennis Priestley is a true legend of the game who has won World Championships in both the BDO (in 1991, beating Eric Bristow in the final) and the PDC (in 1994, beating Phil Taylor in the final). Priestley's 1994 victory gave him the inaugural PDC World Championship title and was the first of 5 meetings with Taylor in World finals.

Unfortunately for 'The Menace' Taylor won the next 4 (in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000), though 'The Power' has acknowledged in his autobiography that Dennis is the best player he has ever faced, and Taylor's brilliance is the sole reason why the Mexborough man has not tasted more success in live TV tournaments.

Aside from his 1994 World Championship, Priestley's only other major PDC title is the 1995 World Grand Prix pairs event, though he has picked up 3 World Matchplay runners-up medals. Dennis is currently enjoying something of an Indian Summer, however, and has really returned to form in the last couple of years.

Previous UK Open Performances
2003	5th Round
2004	4th Round
2005	4th Round
2006	4th Round

Dennis won the Le Skratch-Sarantos Retsinas Memorial in 2005 before going on to take the Players Championship in January 2006, and he has now picked up over 100 ranking titles in an illustrious career. Confirmation of his revival came in 2006 as he climbed back up to 3rd in the PDC rankings and was invivted to the 2007 Premier League for the first time, and with his familiar mental toughness and slow, measured throwing action, Priestley will certainly be a dangerous opponent in this year's Blue Square UK Open. A player of Dennis's experience and ability must not be written off, and with his recent form he has every chance of snatching a famous, and what would undoubtedly be a very popular, title success.

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