BOOYAH!
You don’t want to hear that when playing against Gerwyn Price. Chances are, he’s taken out a clutch checkout and is in his groove.
Welcome to Darts in Football Terms.
Our first topic is the 2021 World Champion, ‘The Iceman’ Gerwyn Price.
Price has just won Night Three of the 2025 Premier League, and sits second in the table. He hasn’t been the most consistent player in recent years – it’s his first nightly win in the Premier League since Night 11 of 2023 – but when he’s in form, Price is one of the hardest to beat in the sport.
Embed from Getty ImagesFor the football fans, Price is comparable to Napoli or Atletico Madrid. His loud antics and showman persona often make him the villain in his matches, as the Welshman frequently finds himself less popular than his opponent.
He plays with his heart on his sleeve. Pressure can get to him, but when he’s firing, he can outclass anyone.
Embed from Getty ImagesTake the 2023 World Championship quarter-finals as example. After being subject to boos against his opponent Gabriel Clemens and falling behind 3-1, Price returned from a break wearing ear defenders.
A sign of weakness in front of the raucous crowd? Perhaps. But, in typical Gerwyn Price fashion, his first throw was a 180, and the Welshman roared.
“I’ve literally never seen the like of it,” Sky Sports commentator Rod Studd said. Ear defenders were subsequently banned by the PDC following this incident.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut they weren’t banned because they helped Price. He lost the next two sets and was dumped out the tournament 5-1.
Embed from Getty ImagesAt that time, Price was ranked number one in the world. It’s rare for darts’ top-ranked player to be villainized as Price was (and still is). The only football comparison I can think of in this aspect is Jose Mourinho – both enjoy being provocative, but their antics can sometimes lead to their downfall.
The last two years have seen Price drop in the rankings to ninth, following the rise of Luke Humphries and Luke Littler. The Lukes are ranked first and second respectively, dominating the darts scene of today.
It was some surprise, then, that Price beat them both on his way to winning Night Three in the Premier League in Dublin this Thursday. Clearly, ‘the Iceman’ hasn’t lost it.
“I want to be a tough nut to crack for everyone, that is what I used to be. That is where I was two or three years ago, and I’ve maybe slipped off the radar a little bit but I am coming back,” Price told Sky Sports after beating Littler in the quarter-finals. He has now beaten Littler in each of their last five meetings – no mean feat.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe’s a bit like Emi Martinez. He’s loved by some, and disliked by many, but undeniably talented.
And he does what he wants. Usually, Premier League nightly winners stay for a post-match interview with Sky Sports. But Price? He legged it off-stage. Like Mourinho, sometimes Price also prefers not to speak.
Darts is a better place when Price plays well, and undoubtedly more entertaining.
Never change, Gezzy.