North East darts star selected as part of Premier League Darts line-up
North East darts star Chris Dobey is "buzzing" to be part of the 2025 Premier League Darts line-up alongside world champion Luke Littler.
The eight-strong line-up was announced on Monday with Bedlington-born Dobey joined by Littler, Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, Rob Cross, Gerwen Price, Stephen Bunting, and Nathan Aspinall in the touring competition.
The league stage moves around the country with an event set to be held in Newcastle in March.
"I'm buzzing to be part of it, it's another step in the right direction for my career," Dobey told The Northern Echo.
(Image: Zac Goodwin / PA) "You get to play with the elite week in, week out.
"You play at the big, massive arenas and it's one that everyone keeps an eye on.
"It's similar to the World Championships. Everybody wants to be watching the Premier League."
The black-and-white wearing player has had some words of congratulations from previous Premier League winner Glen Durrant - another North East star. Dobey said 'Duzza' sent him a message after the line-up was announced and hopes he can win to "get Glen off my back!"
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Dobey is particularly looking forward to returning to Newcastle Arena. The Toon fan said playing in front of a home crowd was "unbelievable" and he could not wait to get back there.
"It's something special, and something I'm definitely looking forward to" he said.
Dobey plans to change his walk-on song back to Geordie anthem 'Local Hero' - which he used in previous appearances at Newcastle Premier League nights. A lover of Newcastle United, Dobey is willing to swap out his usual song by two other Geordie legends, Ant and Dec, to make the night even more special.
Of course, sporting events are not without controversy and the announcement of the line-up has caused concern with some darts fans who were unhappy that players like World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker, and UK Open champion Dimitri van den Berg were left out.
"It is a hard one to take. I was in that situation last year where I felt that I played pretty well consistently and was just overlooked. But they make their decisions for their own reasons.
"I thought Mike was in with a good shout, but I think if he would have gone a couple steps further in the World Championships then he would have been involved.
"But I'm sure they'll be back tougher and stronger than ever and wanting to get back there."
The Premier League kicks off with a trip to Belfast on February 6.
