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IT has been six years and a long climb back to the World Championship stage for Alan Tabern ­— but the Grange Park darter is looking forward to his return to Alexandra Palace.

Tabern will take on Australia’s first time qualifier Raymond Smith ­— a player with World Series experience ­— in Friday afternoon’s session.

And if he clears that hurdle, the 52-year-old will tackle number one seed Michael van Gerwen in Saturday night’s final match of the session.

Formerly ranked in the World top 10, Tabern found himself drifting away from the sport and admitted to spending weeks on end where he did not even touch his darts.

But he never lost the knack of hitting the trebles and finishes.

And after being encouraged to start a bit of daily practice again with no pressure, Tabern found himself back in the winning groove.

A good start to 2018 saw him earn qualification to the prestigious £2.5million tournament which runs from December 13-January 1

Tabern, who joins fellow St Helens darters Michael Smith, Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting in the tournament, explains: “When I first started I could see the ladder I could climb, rung by rung, and I did it.

“My highest ranking in the world was number seven in 2008/9.

“But when I packed in it was like that ship had sailed.

“I kind of packed in the darts but just did it for fun.

“I did quite well on the Challenge Tour, winning without practising and earning a place in Q school.

“My mate said ‘there’s not much wrong with your game that an hour’s practice won’t sort out’.

“So I started doing that and played so well at Q School it was unreal.

“I have got back into by playing well without practising, and I have been taking each game has it comes.

“It feels like my first season again since 2012 really.

“To get in I am a bit proud of myself. I worked it out that to qualify for the Worlds I have only played 40 days in the year. The big guns are playing 24/7

“For me it is a decent achievement.”

Alas, Tabern did admit that his dad being diagnosed with cancer and dying understandably caused him to lose focus in the last six months, but he had done enough to qualify.

And so it is on to Ally Pally where he does not look past Raymond Smith.

“Of the first round draws I think I have got one of the hardest ones you could pick.

“He has played in the World Series and beat James Wade, so I am under no illusions but that makes me get my head on.

“It is not a game I should win, it is one I have to earn.

“That may help me in some respects,” he said.

He has had plenty of good wishes and has been backed for this championship by Karl at A180, Kenzie’s Toy appeal, Hattons Travel and DN Brickwork - all taking patches on his shirt to help pay for his hotel and travel to London.

Although his last Worlds was back in 2012, Tabern still boasts a good opening round record - one he is hoping to maintain in order to face van Gerwen.

“I never lost in the Worlds first round out of the eight I have taken part in.

“I was asked by someone in Europe, via Facebook, how I would feel playing van Gerwen.

“I replied, ‘no different than anybody else’.

“I don’t think they realised how many times I had played him – and who else I have played in the main event.”

He does boast a good record against the Dutch master - six wins from 13.

He will come back onto a big stage in a sport that is booming - with a plethora of new talent always knocking on the door.

Tabern said: “I am on the comeback trail, so let’s see what happens.

“I have no expectations ­— I am just trying to enjoy it and see what I can do with it.

“It is unreal to see the new players coming through and living on the dart board.

“And in some ways I regard darts as the new boxing.

“In the olden days to get out of the bad times and the slums you took up boxing, now you can pick up a set of darts and become a millionaire.

“The mechanism is there for you. And you don’t get hurt,” he said.

In his six-year absence from the Worlds, Messrs Smith, Chisnall and Bunting have all kept the flag flying for the town.

But his returns brings will mean a quartet of Sintelliners on the Ally Pally oche - no mean achievement for the town.

"Darts has always been big in St Helens and I always shout up for the town when I can.

"A few years ago there was just Gary Welding on the stage, then I followed off the back of that.

"Bunty, Chizzy and young Mike all came along then.

"It has always been a hotbed of darts, but we are waiting for someone to take that big leap and believe in themselves and do something," he said.