Darts world champion Michael Smith achieved his dream this week before quickly realising another.
‘Bully Boy’ produced a remarkable performance to defeat the mighty Micheal van Gerwen 7-4 to etch his name in history books. The atmosphere at Alexandra Palace was electric as the Englishman rose to the occasion and won his maiden world title in style.
After registering the biggest win of his career, the new world number one was able to take the Sid Waddell trophy to his beloved St Helens. A lifelong fan of the rugby club, Smith took a special photo standing in between both his world title and the Super League title. The snap was taken on the St. Helens’ hallowed turf as the 32-year-old beamed for the camera.
Michael's wish to unite the World Darts and Super League trophies came true as he was joined on the pitch by Saints' Head Coach Paul Wellens. Also on the field were players Jack Welsby, Mark Percival, Alex Walmsley and Jodie Cunnington who also brought the Women's Challenge Cup to make it a trophy treble.
Sports commentator Stuart Pyke tweeted the photo and wrote: “@Michael180Smith had a dream….to be crowned World #Darts Champion and he wanted to take the trophy to his beloved @Saints1890 alongside the #SuperLeague Trophy. Today he realised his dream.” Smith responded to the tweet: “Completed life it’s self now,” along with a heart eyes emoji.
He added: “To finally come back home with the trophy and be world number one with the number one team in the world, it's what dreams are made of. I wasn't good enough to play rugby so I had to find something else. To finally master my sport now dreams finally do come true."
"St Helens is a small community but it's a big community and we stick together, we all support our own. Even when I didn't win last year everyone was giving me support and now that I've got it, it's even sweeter."
Wells weighed in and was delighted to see Smith reach the top of the darts world. "I've known Michael a long time and I know it's been a childhood dream of his to win the world title,” he said.
"Michael has had some set backs over the years and had some failures but off the back of those grew stronger. I think you can only see him going from strength to strength and winning many more titles."
St Helen’s fullback Jodie Cunningham, who is teammates with Smith’s cousin, added: “He's an inspiration. Michael's cousin Paige plays in our women's team so not only were we supporting him because he's a St Helens lad but because he feels like an extended version of our family too."
