Remember, Bristow was taking on the likes of John Lowe, Jocky Wilson and Bob Anderson at the height of their careers.

Taylor proved he could live with the best when he beat Bristow (6-1) in 1990. He also won the battle of nerves on the world's most famous stage in a thrilling battle with Mike Gregory in 1993 - eventually winning 6-5.

Since then he has won all but one of the PDC Skol events.

Bristow secured his five Embassy crowns in the space of seven years, but would Taylor have claimed seven had he not traded the Frimley Green oche for Purfleet? Probably not!

For the last eight years Taylor has, in the main, been taking on the same old faces in the PDC's version of the world championship.

Uncomfortable

The British Darts Organisation's qualification system - including the play-offs for the last five or six places - ensures top quality "unknowns" make the first round.

These are the players who may well have had a say in Taylor's fortunes had he stayed put.

Taylor is truly phenomenal but if he has a weakness at all it is against opponents he is not so familiar with in the early part of the championship when less sets are played.

He looked distinctly uncomfortable against England's Les Fitton in the opening round of the Skol Championships last December and got a bigger shock in the first round of the Swedish Open in 1999 when he was KO'd by 15-year-old Markus Korhonen over five legs.

Once past the first stage it takes a minor miracle to prevent him picking up the winner's cheque, but if what if regular opening opponents had been the likes of Bristow and Lowe?

Thankfully, there is one thing Taylor and Bristow have over most other sportsmen competing for top spot in the Hall of Fame - they are great friends.

In fact it was the arrogant but hugely popular Crafty Cockney who first noticed the talents of Taylor and changed the path of his life by becoming his sponsor.

Taylor admitted: "It was difficult playing him. In those days he was intimidating, he was a wind-up merchant and wound you right up even before the match, but I learnt a lot at that time.

"It was Eric who made me into a winner. He became my sponsor and second best was not good enough for him. He wanted you to win and it was no good presenting him with a cheque for second place.

"I have always said if the England football team wants to win then make Eric the manager! They would not dare lose!"

If it's down to stats Taylor would come out on top. But ask 10 people who has been the greatest player to ever grace the oche and you may get a Crafty answer!