ROB CROSS knows he must show zero respect to Phil Taylor — despite asking him politely for his photo just two months ago!
The Hastings father-of-three only finished his career as an electrician in 2016 to focus full-time on the professional darts circuit.
Now he faces his idol Taylor for the first time today in the final of the World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace.
Back in November, Cross met Taylor at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton and concedes he showed far too much deference to the greatest player of all-time.
The 27-year-old said: “I got a photo taken with him. It sounds sad now, doesn’t it? He did say to me, ‘You and me in the final at the worlds’. He is like Mystic Meg.
“I have watched Phil since I was a young boy around 12 when I fell in love with the game and we all watch Darts Gold. He is a true legend.
“I am going to play an inspiration and I need to be inspired and be ready.
“I am here to win. I need to bring my A-game. If I am right I have every chance.
180 DEGREES When is the World Darts final, what TV channel is it on, and how many sets will Rob Cross and Phil Taylor play?
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get this opportunity again. If I am aggressive, it won’t be anything personal.
“It is a great privilege playing him in his last match but I have to do what is right for me and whether it is his last game on the stage it does not matter. I want to win.”
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There are eerie parallels between the rise of Taylor and emergence of Cross, who did not have a tour card until this year.
Aged 29, Taylor famously smashed mentor Eric Bristow 6-1 in the 1990 Lakeside final on his debut appearance at world level.
Remarkably, like Cross was at the start of this year, Taylor was a 125/1 outsider.
Cross, who watched last year’s final from his sofa, has won at least £170,000 for reaching the final and is now aiming for a bumper pay day of £400,000 for winning.
And he thanked his uncle Robert for giving him a kick up the backside to take part in a UK Open amateur qualifier in Norwich in February 2016.
PHIL HAS TITLE SHOT
PHIL TAYLOR reckons Barry Hearn will SHOOT him if he becomes world champion in his last pro match.
The Power faces debutant Rob Cross in the final at Ally Pally tonight.
Taylor, 57, is aiming to win a record 17th world crown before retirement.
Victory could leave darts overlord Hearn with a major headache going into 2018 without the best player in the world.
And Taylor joked: “If I can win this title, and bow out with the PDC’s two biggest prizes – the World Championship and the World Matchplay — I think Barry’s going to shoot me!
“It’s ridiculous, I shouldn’t have stood a chance in Blackpool, either, but I won that one in July. But I’ve no regrets, this is it.”
Even if Taylor lifts the Sid Waddell Trophy, he will not get an invite to defend it — and would have to qualify.
Cross said: “I gave up darts a few years back. I didn’t want to play to deprive the family as playing costs money.
“But my uncle dragged me out of bed and cancelled my work one day. He then drove me 200-plus miles to Norwich.
“I reached the semis and rediscovered my love for the game so, I owe him a lot. Without him I wouldn’t be here today.”
Taylor, 57, admitted he has been “lucky” to have reached a 21st world final — but is confident he will handle the emotions of his swansong appearance.
After 29 years, 16 world titles and £7.6million in prize money, The Power is finally hanging up his darts.
But he is realistic enough to know that fortune has smiled on him over the last three weeks.
He said: “At face value, getting to a world championship final at 57 is my greatest achievement of all but when you look at what’s happened maybe I’ve just been lucky.
“All the big seeds have fallen by the wayside, from Adrian Lewis and James Wade going out in the first round, Peter Wright going out in the second round, Barney went in the quarter-finals and now Michael van Gerwen has gone too.
“My opponents have been under a bit of pressure because they don’t want to be the bad guy who sends me packing.
“I’m not the best player in the tournament, I’m too old and tired now. I’ve just picked up the pieces and capitalised on others’ mistakes.
“I’ve loved every minute but one more time and that’s me done.
“Don’t worry about me — I can handle the emotions, I’m fine.”
Taylor has kept a low-profile at the event, only doing a handful of TV interviews.
He added: “I’ve never really believed I can win the tournament. I haven’t played well enough, except when I’ve relaxed.
“When I’m tense, I’ve been landing my darts on the wire but when I’m almost slapdash I’ve hit the 180s and finishes.
“I still don’t think I’m going to win it — but I’m going to enjoy it.”
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