With Michael "Bully Boy" Smith taking home the 2023 PDC World Darts Championship title on Tuesday, the sport is sure to experience a spike of interest in his native St Helens.
The ECHO headed down to St Helens Darts Shop the morning after Michael's big win. The store and training centre is where the 32-year-old darts ace learned his trade, just off the East Lancs Road. Owner Karl Holden and other members of staff take it upon themselves to help train the younger generation of darts players, as they did with Bully Boy when he was a teenager.
I decided to try my hand, and stepped up to the oche to see if I had any chance of being the next Bully Boy. Growing up in a town that has produced so many darts stars, such as Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting, it could be that there's something in the water in St Helens- so perhaps I could be next.
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Now obviously, the level of success Michael achieved comes with years of hard work and determination, but there needs to be some natural talent, maybe I could have been blessed with incredible darts skills, despite having never really played?
These thoughts were dashed however, as soon as I threw the first dart. I did manage to make it onto the board- barely- but it really demonstrated how easy the professionals make it look when you're watching on TV.
The second dart I threw strayed slightly off the board, and the third stuck firmly in 12. I think I was more focused on actually reaching the board than getting any particular score- the distance to the board seems so much farther than when you're watching at home.
With another 12, I took my grand total of 24, hardly a 180, but I'll take it. It's a far cry from Michael Smith's incredible nine darter in the final, but with the support offered here at St Helens Dart Shop, it's clear to see how someone with some natural ability could be nurtured into a star, just maybe not me.
I caught up with owner Karl after my attempts, as he spoke to me about the hard graft and determination needed to make it big in the world of darts. He said: "I'm not surprised to see Michael do so well, not with the effort he puts in. Not many darts players have the commitment he has.
"A lot do try hard but you need the ability too, and you need sheer bottle- and he definitely had that last night. I think his win will inspire many more people to get into darts, especially around here."
A career in darts may not be for me it seems, but with the training and support offered here, I don't think Michael Smith will be the last darts superstar St Helens creates.
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