Chris Dobey hails Gary Anderson for launching him towards brink of darts glory
Chris Dobey has hailed the influence of Gary Anderson and the key Scottish connection which launched him to the brink of World glory.
The Geordie faces Michael Van Gerwen in Thursday night’s Ally Pally semi-final. Dobey insists dumping Gerwyn Price was another huge career step and that he can go all the way at the Paddy Power World Championship. It was Scots hero Anderson and his manager Tommy Gilmour who mentored and managed him at a young age.
Dobey said: “Honestly, what Gary and Tommy did for me when I first started, I appreciate everything. They took me into their stable.
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“If it wasn’t for them I might not be doing it now. They gave me that chance and you have to respect that. I used to go down to Gary’s house. Actually got him to practice as well and he doesn’t practise. I went down there. Just getting over that winning line, honestly, it’s hard work and it’s a massive, massive achievement in my career. I’ve literally taken that next step.
“I do believe I can go on and win it. I just need to keep performing the way I am. I know Masters is a big title, TV title, but this is the biggest competition of them all. The prize money is a massive boost to your rankings. I’m in the top 10 now and, hopefully, there’s no stopping me now.”
Dobey is guaranteed a £100,000 for making the semis and it’s a long way from laying traffic cones in his past life. He smiled: “I do miss the craic. A great set of lads who I worked with. When there was work to be done, it was hard work. This was a hobby 10 years ago, maybe a little bit more, now it is my job, I am trying to provide for my family.”
The Sid Waddell Trophy would mean most to Dobey, though, as he said: “Sid was a north east lad. It would mean a hell of a lot to me to pick up that trophy with his name on it.
“I am good friends with his nephew, I met a couple of occasions. If I could pick that trophy up with his name on it, not just for me but for the North East and Sid’s family, it would be brilliant. He is from Lynemouth, not far from me.”
The formidable Van Gerwen, who beat 5-0 in the last-eight two years ago, stands in Dobey’s way, but he said: “There is no pressure on me. I have beaten him multiple times on the stage against him. I know I can do it. I will look forward to it. I know the hiding he gave me a couple of years ago. I will be gunning for him.”