Chris Dobey on the Newcastle badge
Chris Dobey is hoping to bring the World Championship trophy back to the north-east
Chris Dobey is chasing another congratulations message from Alan Shearer, as well as the World Darts Championship title.
The devoted Newcastle United fan couldn't contain his joy upon receiving a text from the Magpies icon after his Masters victory in 2023, an achievement that also landed him a spot in that year's Premier League. Capturing the Sid Waddell Trophy on January 3 would be an even more significant feat and would almost certainly prompt Shearer to send Dobey another 'well done' message.
He'd probably also get to parade the trophy around St James' Park. The Bedlington thrower, 34, who kicks off his challenge today (Saturday), still cherishes the communication he received from one of his heroes. He told to Sky Sports: "It was great to get a text from Alan Shearer on the Monday morning.
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"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."
Recalling his earliest Magpies memories, he said: “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 two crossed paths at a Magpies game. He added: “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.”
Dobey's 2024 season has been a rollercoaster with strong outings in the Players Championship, where he secured a top seeding position for the Finals weekend in Minehead, only to be dumped out by Nathan Aspinall in the first round.
Meanwhile, Dobey's recent Ally Pally record is a mixture of promise and heartbreak. Last year, he took out big names like Ross Smith and defending champion Michael Smith, but lost in the quarter-finals to Rob Cross after squandering 4-0 lead.
Dobey is feeling good ahead of this year's tournament, saying: “They’ll not want to play me. If my scoring and finishing can come together, I can go deep.”