SAM Allardyce had better beware. His darts mentor is ready to call in a favour a little sooner than expected.

PDC World Champion John Part last month joined Phil Taylor at the Reebok Stadium in a bid to coach the Wanderers boss to victory in the UK Open qualifiers.

Ultimately the pair were unsuccessful, with the 'Dark Dudley Destroyer' soundly beaten by Peter Castle in the first qualifying round, but Canadian Part is still keen to claim his reward -- a place in the Wanderers team!

The man known affectionately as 'Darth Maple' wants a run out in the Premiership to complete the job swap.

"I'm sure Sam can use his power to get me a game. It's the least he can do. After I've helped him break into darts, he can help me break into football," he joked after giving Big Sam a few pointers.

Okay, so the step up in fitness from the oche to top flight football may be a little too steep for a realistic chance of cross pollination.

But the darts world is working tirelessly to vanquish the game's beer-fuelled slobbish stereotype and Part is leading the new breed of leaner and meaner stars in an infinitely more professional era.

Gone are the days of knocking back 20 doubles before aiming for double 20, with most top players staying sober before the performance and spending countless hours at the practice board honing their skills.

But Part remains partial to the occasional pre-match tipple and is keen to avoid a total revolution which cuts the sport from its roots in the pubs and clubs.

"I think every sport has a recreational level. Most local soccer players will have a pint before and after the game, so darts is no different," he explains.

"Because darts is originally a pub game, you do tend to get tarred and feathered but we shouldn't run away from that. We should embrace it a little more and have fun with it.

"I've been in tournaments on the North American circuit when I've gone into a match not knowing exactly what I'm doing there because I've had a few too many.

"But many players still have a quick drink before a game and it doesn't have a destructive effect, so maybe other sportsmen are just jealous!"

Part first shot to darts fame by taking the Embassy World Championship in 1994 before making the lucrative switch to the rival ranks of the Professional Darts Council.

His road to that code's world crown has been lengthy but understandable as Phil 'The Power' Taylor's stranglehold of the showpiece event brought him ten straight world titles.

But he lost his grip against Part in a terrific final earlier this year, in a result which sent shockwaves around the world.

And Part reckons his stunning victory has opened the door for the rest of darts' elite, now Taylor's psychological hold is broken.

"I always felt that if I played Phil enough times, I would beat him. The worry was that he would retire before that day came," he said.

"I don't know what's going to happen to Phil now. For years no-one thought he was beatable but now everyone will be thinking they've got a chance and will be giving him a much tougher time. He will not get an easy ride against anyone.

"But I'm still wary of him and know what he can do. He's certainly capable of bouncing back strongly."

Taylor's irrepressible nature will ensure a fascinating duel between the pair throughout this year, particularly as his number one ranking is now under serious threat.

And Part admits toppling Taylor has become his major career target.

"Defending my title next year is a major goal but I'd really love to be ranked number one in the world," he said.

"I think I have a realistic chance of that when the next official rankings come out this summer.

"There are a lot of big tournaments between now and then so anything can happen. I think it's essential to perform well in those. It's all down to how we both play over the next few months."