Chris Dobey is hopeful another message from Alan Shearer after the World Darts Championship. The die-hard Newcastle United supporter was over the moon when he received a text from the Tyneside icon following his Masters victory in 2023, which also clinched him a spot in that year's Premier League.
Should Dobey claim the Sid Waddell Trophy on January 3, it would eclipse that success and almost certainly prompt Shearer to send another congratulatory text. Dobey, who kicks off his 2025 Worlds bid today (Saturday), described the elation of receiving a message from Shearer, telling Sky Sports: "It was great to get a text from Alan Shearer on Monday morning.
"To wake up to a text from him was amazing. I've looked up to him for so many years. In the north-east, if you kick a football around, the name Shearer always follows. He's a legend and to get a text from him was something special."
The darts ace's passion for the sport intertwines with his love of football. He reminisced about his first Newcastle match experience, adding: "I can remember my granddad taking me years ago.
"We beat Everton in the FA Cup 4-1. It was a great game and obviously nice to get the win in my first game as well."
Dobey’s admiration for Shearer only grew when the pair crossed paths at St James' Park. He recalled: "After one game, I saw him in the elevator. I had the little boy with me and I said, 'Do you mind having a picture? ' He [his son] absolutely loved it."
The 2024 season has seen its share of triumphs and setbacks for Dobey. Consistently strong displays on the floor in the Players Championship earned him a top-seed spot for the Finals in Minehead, only to be knocked out by Nathan Aspinall in the first round.
Dobey's recent outings at Ally Pally have also been a mixed bag of promise and disappointment. Last year, he took out Ross Smith and reigning champion Michael Smith with a resounding 4-0 victory.
However, his dreams were shattered when he lost 5-4 to Rob Cross in the last eight after losing a 4-0 lead. This time around, Dobey finds himself in a tough quarter of the draw, with potential match-ups against Joe Cullen, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton and Michael Smith.
But he has managed to steer clear of the tournament's most formidable opponents, Luke Humphries and Luke Littler. He said: "They'll not want to play me. If my scoring and finishing can come together, I can go deep."
Dobey remains buoyed by Shearer's words of encouragement, driving him to unleash a blockbuster performance befitting his 'Hollywood' nickname.