Colin Lloyd can look back with pride on his achievements in darts, says Rod Studd
Thursday 14 January 2016 17:43, UK
After Colin Lloyd decided to step away from the PDC circuit, Rod Studd has looked back at the darts career of the popular player known as 'Jaws'.
I've got a lot of fond memories of Colin, one of the old guard, sadly departing the game at least temporarily. I don't think I have seen anyone throw quite as aggressively as Colin. He had a no-nonsense style, the way he hurled the darts into the board.
For a period in the mid-2000s, he was probably the second best player in the world to Phil Taylor. I say he was the second best, but in 2005 he was ranked world No 1. That was predominantly to do with the ranking system, because Colin played a lot of tournaments on the circuit that Phil didn't, but I know Colin found it quite irritating that people didn't give him the respect he deserved for reaching the No 1 spot.
He was certainly the second best player to Phil Taylor in 2004-05, there was no doubt about that. That was evidenced by his two major wins, which were the 2004 World Grand Prix, and his most memorable triumph at the World Matchplay in 2005.
People might remember Sid saying: 'Lloydy my son, you've done it,' which summed it up as only Sid could.
Still now, only seven players have ever won the World Matchplay, so Colin is very much in an elite and exclusive club. People will remember the final with John Part predominantly for his 170 checkout to win the tournament, which still resonates to this day. It is very emotional and was enhanced by Sid's wonderful commentary. People might remember Sid saying: 'Lloydy my son, you've done it', which summed it up as only Sid could.
The 'Jaws' nickname came from his unique set of teeth and he used to love that. He would bare his teeth during the walk-on when he entered to the film's theme tune.
He is a lovely fellow who is entertaining and good company, but he could be ultra-aggressive on the oche. At the World Championship in 2011, he got completely wound up in a game against Andree Welge and ended up punching the board at Alexandra Palace, and almost put it clean through the wall. I remember commentating at the time and saying: "He's throwing more punches than Audley Harrison," after one of his pugilistic displays of pacifism.
The angrier he got, the better he played, and in many ways he quite enjoyed being stoked by the crowd or by his opponent.
The following year in 2012, he lost to Gary Anderson at the World Championship and took his shirt off. He had a rotating celebration, when he went round like a whirling dervish, and hurled his water into the crowd. He then threw his shirt off to reveal his masculine figure and that was certainly memorable as well.
Colin's darting history could have been different if he not missed four darts to beat Raymond van Barneveld in the second round at the 2007 World Championship. Barney went on to win the world title that year, beating Phil Taylor. I often wonder what would have happened if Colin hit any of those four darts. Maybe he would have gone on to win the world title. The whole darting landscape could have been different.
In reality, he's won two major tournaments and one of them is one of the most prestigious, the World Matchplay. It's been a very good career for Colin and if it does end now, he's got a lot to be proud of and look back fondly on.
