
The 1983 world champion was seeded second for finals night after he and
Deller and Anderson had fought out the final on both the first two nights of action in
However,
Deller took full advantage of the struggles of the man who had pipped him to the title last year, enjoying a comfortable success against Cliff Lazarenko before coming out on top in a decider against John Lowe.
He then recorded a highly respectable average of 88.32 in the final against George, who had whitewashed Dave Whitcombe with a 5-0 triumph in the opening match of the evening.
“I’m really pleased to be the 2009 Betfred.com League of
“All the players are so competitive and I tried my absolute hardest to win. I knew I had a good shout and I think I deserved it. The best player in each year has won.
“Bob is such a true professional and it’s nice to take the title from a great champion and a really good bloke. It really means a lot to me because I didn’t want to be runner-up two years running.
“It’s been a fantastic two years in the League of
Deller also collected the Sharon Henderson Memorial Trophy for achieving the most 180s during this year's series, nine in total.
The trophy was awarded in remembrance of tournament director Lee Henderson's wife Sharon, who tragically died in February 2009 at the age of 39, and presented to Deller by their son Joel.
John Lowe won the prize for the highest checkout during the series, a 160 against Cliff Lazarenko on night two in Middlesbrough.

Two of the Legends will warm up for their bid for glory on finals night when they visit a Betfred shop in
Customers can win some superb prizes by challenging
The deadly duo are challenging members of the public to try to outscore them on the dartboard, with the professionals only allowed three darts against each punter to record as high a total as possible.
If the punter beats the pro’s total with three darts they will win a £1 free yankee bet (worth £11); if they fail to beat the pro with three darts but do so with six, they will win a 50p free yankee bet (worth £5.50). And nobody will go away empty-handed as consolation prizes are available!
There will also be the chance to win tickets for the Betfred.com League of
Betfred spokesman
“I know they have both been practising hard and are determined not to let any of the punters beat them!”
The fun takes place at:
Betfred, 36 Westbourne Terrace, Shiney Row,
(strictly over-18s only)

The 1983 world champion, runner-up to
This year’s League of
Deller ensured he put himself on top of the initial table by winning the Leicester final 5-4 against Anderson, achieving a highly respectable three-dart average of 86.70, the best of the night, in doing so.
“I feel as though I’m playing better now than when I left the PDC,” said the 49-year-old from
“Bob has been my bogey player for 25 years and he usually plays brilliantly against me but this time it was my turn. I was 3-0 down in the final but I told myself I could come back and I deserved to win in the end.”
The night began with
Dave Whitcombe won 5-2 against Bobby George and there was a popular victory for Eric Bristow as the five-time former world champion took out Cliff Lazarenko, again in a decider.
Bristow was no match for Deller in the semi-finals as the Bury St
“I think it’s good for the League of

‘The Limestone Cowboy’ won the live-televised inaugural League of
The line-up has remained unchanged for this year although the format is different, with the competition being played out over three nights in October, each of which contributes to the final standings although there will also be a winner of each individual show.
Last year’s event proved extremely close with the semi-final places only being confirmed on the seventh and final night of league action, and
“I think it will be even more competitive this year as the other seven players will be determined to do better and to beat me,” said the 61-year-old from Clevedon. “But I’m determined to do just as well too.
“I know John Lowe in particular has been practising hard. I’ve played him quite a few times this year and I think he’s sure to improve on last year’s performance.
“The new format doesn’t make any difference to me – I will approach every match in the same fashion as last year, and the potential to play three times in one night will suit me as I like to build up a rhythm.”
2009 BETFRED.COM LEAGUE OF LEGENDS FACTFILE
Who
Cliff Lazarenko
Peter Evison
Eric Bristow
Bobby George
John Lowe
Dave Whitcombe
Where and when
Friday, October 2: Athena, Queen’s Street,
Friday, October 30: Marton Country Club,
Saturday, October 31: Rainton Meadows Arena,
Competition format and schedule (all matches best of nine legs)
Night 1
Quarter-finals
1:
2: Bobby George v Dave Whitcombe
3: Eric Bristow v Cliff Lazarenko
4:
Semi-finals
5: Winner of 1 v Winner of 2
6: Winner of 3 v Winner of 4
Final
7: Winner of 5 v Winner of 6
Night 2
Quarter-finals
1: Cliff Lazarenko v John Lowe
2: Eric Bristow v
3:
4: Bobby George v Dave Whitcombe
Semi-finals
5: Winner of 1 v Winner of 2
6: Winner of 3 v Winner of 4
Final
7: Winner of 5 v Winner of 6
Results on these two nights will formulate a league table which will determine the schedule of play on Night 3. Points will be awarded on the following basis:
Quarter-final defeat: 1 point
Semi-final defeat: 2 points
Runner-up: 3 points
Winner: 4 points
Any ties for league positions after Night 2 will be resolved by the following criteria in order: leg difference; legs won; head-to-head record between tied players; head-to-head record with highest-ranked player where both tied players have faced that opponent the same number of times; one-leg play-off.
Finals night
Quarter-finals
1: 1st in league v 8th in league
2: 4th in league v 5th in league
3: 2nd in league v 7th in league
4: 3rd in league v 6th in league
Semi-finals
5: Winner of 1 v Winner of 2
6: Winner of 3 v Winner of 4
Final
7: Winner of 5 v Winner of 6
Prizemoney
Nights 1 and 2
Quarter-finalists: £625
Semi-finalists: £1,000
Runner-up: £2,000
Winner: £3,500
Finals night
Quarter-finalists: £750
Semi-finalists: £1,250
Runner-up: £2,250
Winner: £4,250
Bonuses
Highest checkout in series: £1,500
Most 180s in series: £1,500