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Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I'd sit him down for two hours' – Former world darts champion told he is no longer world beater and to consider future
Smith has been on a downward spiral since winning being crowned champion of the world in 2023 IN TREBLE 'I'd sit him down for two hours' – Former world darts champion told he is no longer world beater and to consider future Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MICHAEL SMITH might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Two-time major winner Smith has failed to qualify for the World Matchplay for the first time since 2013. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Michael Smith might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Credit: Getty St Helens thrower Smith sees his run of 60 consecutive appearances at televised ranked events ended. The 34-year-old sits outside the top 20 in the world following a run of poor form since his World Championship win at Ally Pally in early 2023. Former Players Championship Finals winner Nicholson believes Smith's absence from Winter Gardens next week is fair. He told talkSPORT: 'No, he shouldn't be there. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. READ MORE DARTS NEWS SMIRNOFF SLICE Darts icon Bobby George shows off amputated TOE he keeps in vodka 'If you look at the way Ryan Joyce qualified compared to Michael Smith — it's a big gap. 'We're not talking about something like when Mark Webster missed out on the Grand Prix by £50, which happened 14 years ago. 'That's a close call. This is £5,000. That's like making a final on the Pro Tour, or the equivalent of five first-round exits. It's not close.' Nicholson reckons the ProTour ranking system has given Smith a harsh but fair reminder that he needs to do more. 2 Former darts star Paul Nicholson has delved into Smith's downturn Credit: Getty CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He added: 'The Pro Tour ranking system is actually very fair as a reflection of what Michael's done over the past 12 months. 'A lot of people forget—the Matchplay race started last July. It's a one-year ranking. He hasn't done enough to be in the top 16 of that list. So, as far as his absence goes — it's fair. Moment Michael Smith BREAKS dartboard in anger as he issues public apology 'And if Bully Boy had got in, looking at what Ryan Joyce has achieved over the last year — strong Euro Tour runs, consistent floor performances — it would probably be more controversial if Michael was in and Ryan was out.' 'The Asset' sees this as the perfect chance for Smith to reset his career. He revealed: 'I've got a strong opinion on this. I think this is a big opportunity for him. Every piece of adversity brings a chance. 'This is his chance to sit back this summer and ask, 'Where do I go from here? 'If he had scraped in, he might've just said, 'That's okay, we're still moving in the right direction.' He shouldn't be at the World Matchplay. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. Paul Nicholson 'But now he has to step back and really think, 'What do we do now?'' Nicholson suggested that while Smith's talent is unquestionable, his hunger to win might not burn as fiercely as it once did. He said: 'I'd sit him down for two hours and just listen. 'I want to know how hungry he is. I want to know what he wants for the future — and I don't want the stock answers: 'I want to be world champion again,' or 'I want to win the Matchplay.' 'That's not going to happen when you're not in the field. 'Maybe he needs to take a step back and realise — he's no longer a Premier League player. 'He'll always be a world champion — that can't be taken away. But Michael van Gerwen said something very honest earlier this year: 'Judge me on the player I am now, not who I was five or six years ago.' 'Michael was spot on. We have to judge Michael Smith on who he is now, not who he was in 2023. 'So I want to hear how he talks about his career now, and what his genuine goals are. Because they have to be different than they were two years ago.' He's no longer a Premier League player. Paul Nicholson Nicholson says Smith needs to dig deeper than ever to rediscover his best form. He explained: 'We've had Michael on a pedestal for a long time. We know his skill level. And I think what we've praised most in the last 18 to 24 months is his ability to dig deep. 'That's how he became a Grand Slam and World Champion — by being more resilient. 'But this is a whole new level of digging deep. He might have to admit to himself, I'm not one of the top 32 players in the world right now despite what the rankings say. 'So he needs to ask: What got me there? What's going to get me back? What do I need to prioritise to return to being world number one? Hard questions need to be asked, and the answers need to be brutally honest.'
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I'd sit him down for two hours' – Former world darts champion told he is no longer world beater and to consider future
MICHAEL SMITH might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Advertisement 2 Michael Smith might have to admit he is no longer 'one of the world's top 32 players', according to Paul Nicholson. Credit: Getty St Helens thrower Smith sees his run of 60 consecutive appearances at televised ranked events ended. The 34-year-old sits outside the top 20 in the world following a run of poor form since his World Championship win at Ally Pally in early 2023. Former Players Championship Finals winner Nicholson believes Smith's absence from Winter Gardens next week is fair. He told talkSPORT: 'No, he shouldn't be there. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. Advertisement READ MORE DARTS NEWS 'If you look at the way Ryan Joyce qualified compared to 'We're not talking about something like when Mark Webster missed out on the Grand Prix by £50, which happened 14 years ago. 'That's a close call. This is £5,000. That's like making a final on the Pro Tour, or the equivalent of five first-round exits. It's not close.' Nicholson reckons the ProTour ranking system has given Smith a harsh but fair reminder that he needs to do more. Advertisement Most read in Darts Breaking Exclusive 2 Former darts star Paul Nicholson has delved into Smith's downturn Credit: Getty CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He added: 'The Pro Tour ranking system is actually very fair as a reflection of what Michael's done over the past 12 months. 'A lot of people forget—the Matchplay race started last July. It's a one-year ranking. He hasn't done enough to be in the top 16 of that list. So, as far as his absence goes — it's fair. Advertisement Moment Michael Smith BREAKS dartboard in anger as he issues public apology 'And if Bully Boy had got in, looking at what Ryan Joyce has achieved over the last year — strong Euro Tour runs, consistent floor performances — it would probably be more controversial if Michael was in and Ryan was out.' 'The Asset' sees this as the perfect chance for Smith to reset his career. He revealed: 'I've got a strong opinion on this. I think this is a big opportunity for him. Every piece of adversity brings a chance. 'This is his chance to sit back this summer and ask, 'Where do I go from here? Advertisement 'If he had scraped in, he might've just said, 'That's okay, we're still moving in the right direction.' He shouldn't be at the World Matchplay. It's as simple as that. It's not even close. Paul Nicholson talkSPORT 'But now he has to step back and really think, 'What do we do now?'' Nicholson suggested that while Smith's talent is unquestionable, his hunger to win might not burn as fiercely as it once did. He said: 'I'd sit him down for two hours and just listen. Advertisement 'I want to know how hungry he is. I want to know what he wants for the future — and I don't want the stock answers: 'I want to be world champion again,' or 'I want to win the Matchplay.' 'That's not going to happen when you're not in the field. 'Maybe he needs to take a step back and realise — he's no longer a Premier League player. 'He'll always be a world champion — that can't be taken away. But Michael van Gerwen said something very honest earlier this year: 'Judge me on the player I am now, not who I was five or six years ago.' Advertisement 'Michael was spot on. We have to judge 'So I want to hear how he talks about his career now, and what his genuine goals are. Because they have to be different than they were two years ago.' He's no longer a Premier League player. Paul Nicholson talkSPORT Nicholson says Smith needs to dig deeper than ever to rediscover his best form. He explained: 'We've had Michael on a pedestal for a long time. We know his skill level. And I think what we've praised most in the last 18 to 24 months is his ability to dig deep. Advertisement 'That's how he became a Grand Slam and World Champion — by being more resilient. 'But this is a whole new level of digging deep. He might have to admit to himself, I'm not one of the top 32 players in the world right now despite what the rankings say. 'So he needs to ask: What got me there? What's going to get me back? What do I need to prioritise to return to being world number one? Hard questions need to be asked, and the answers need to be brutally honest.' List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Darts star opens up on debilitating health condition that also affects his daughter as he tries to help find a cure
DARTS star Ryan Searle has opened up on his struggles in finding a cure to his and his daughter's debilitating eye disease. Searle, known as Heavy Metal for his love of rock music, chunky 34g arrows and rockstar hair, suffers from Dominant Optic Atrophy. Advertisement 3 Ryan Searle has opened up on his health issues Credit: PA 3 Heavy Metal suffers from a genetic eye condition that gives him blurry vision Credit: Getty The PDC darts star, 37, is the world No19 and has reached the last-16 at the World Championship three times. The genetic condition causes him blurred vision, with Searle admitting he has "learned to live" with its effects. Searle explained to : 'DOA basically means there's reduced blood flow to my damaged optic nerve. 'I wear contact lenses now, so it's not as bad. My vision's not as blurry anymore. Advertisement READ MORE DARTS NEWS 'I don't have to keep stopping to ask what I've scored or what's left, and that's helped my game a lot.' When asked if he was legally blind, Searle joked: 'It's getting there — pretty close. 'But no, not quite. I can still legally drive, just about.' Searle only discovered he had the condition in the past couple of years — after his daughter Amelia was diagnosed. Advertisement Most read in Darts Breaking Exclusive 3 Searle is currently ranked world No19 Credit: Getty He said: 'It comes in different severities — mine's fairly bad, but hers is really bad. 'She's registered as visually impaired and she'll probably never be able to drive. Darts star Ryan Searle says he is not one for the limelight 'I've been speaking with a charity who are trying to raise money to find a cure because there isn't one. Advertisement 'Whatever vision you're born with, that's what you're stuck with. 'I'm going to have a patch on my shirt soon for the charity, to try and raise awareness and hopefully help get closer to a cure.' Despite his rise up the rankings, Heavy Metal is yet to win a major TV tournament. Searle, who also shares a son with wife Sophie Cosh, came closest in 2021, losing in the Players Championship Finals to . Advertisement He previously said: 'I've learned to live with it, but it does affect me - I can't always see where my dart lands. 'That's why you'll often see me asking the referee what I've thrown.'
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Darts star opens up on debilitating health condition that also affects his daughter as he tries to help find a cure
He only discovered he had the condition after his daughter's diagnosis BLURRED ARROWS Darts star opens up on debilitating health condition that also affects his daughter as he tries to help find a cure Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DARTS star Ryan Searle has opened up on his struggles in finding a cure to his and his daughter's debilitating eye disease. Searle, known as Heavy Metal for his love of rock music, chunky 34g arrows and rockstar hair, suffers from Dominant Optic Atrophy. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Ryan Searle has opened up on his health issues Credit: PA 3 Heavy Metal suffers from a genetic eye condition that gives him blurry vision Credit: Getty The PDC darts star, 37, is currently the world No19 and has reached the last-16 at the World Championship three times. The genetic condition causes him blurred vision, with Searle admitting he has "learned to live" with its effects. Searle explained to Darts News: 'DOA basically means there's reduced blood flow to my damaged optic nerve. 'I wear contact lenses now, so it's not as bad. My vision's not as blurry anymore. 'I don't have to keep stopping to ask what I've scored or what's left, and that's helped my game a lot.' When asked if was legally blind, Searle joked: 'It's getting there — pretty close. 'But no, not quite. I can still legally drive, just about.' Searle only discovered he had the condition in the past couple of years — after his daughter Amelia was diagnosed. 3 Searle is currently ranked as the World No19 Credit: Getty He said: 'It comes in different severities — mine's fairly bad, but hers is really bad. 'She's registered as visually impaired and she'll probably never be able to drive. Darts star Ryan Searle says he is not one for the limelight 'I've been speaking with a charity who are trying to raise money to find a cure because there isn't one. 'Whatever vision you're born with, that's what you're stuck with. 'I'm going to have a patch on my shirt soon for the charity, to try and raise awareness and hopefully help get closer to a cure.' Despite his rise up the rankings, Heavy Metal is yet to win a major TV tournament. Searle came closest in 2021, losing in the Players Championship Finals to Peter Wright. He previously said: 'I've learned to live with it, but it does affect me - I can't always see where my dart lands. 'That's why you'll often see me asking the referee what I've thrown.' Searle also shares a son with wife Sophie Cosh.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘His race is run' – Michael van Gerwen warned his time at the top is OVER after worrying darts struggles
MICH DROP 'His race is run' – Michael van Gerwen warned his time at the top is OVER after worrying darts struggles Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has been warned that his time at the top of darts is OVER amid worrying struggles. The three-time world champion on the brink of missing the Premier League play-offs for just the second time in his career. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Michael van Gerwen has been warned that his time at the top of darts is over Credit: PA A loss in the quarter-final on night 15 last Thursday against to Nathan Aspinall - who won in Aberdeen - left Van Gerwen four points outside of the play-offs. The Dutchman must win night 16 in the Premier League and hope Aspinall loses in the quarter-final if he is to seal an unlikely play-offs place. Van Gerwen has also not won a PDC ranked televised event since November 2022 - at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead. The 36-year-old had won at least one ranked TV event each year from 2012 to 2022 with the exception of 2021. READ MORE IN darts LUKE AT THAT Luke Littler, 18, shares surreal footage of what it's like to be a darts star So the lack of success in recent years has caused concern for former player Colin Lloyd. Lloyd, 51, told talkSPORT: "I think his race is run. With what he's achieved in the game, is he that motivated anymore? "He says he is. He says there's plenty left it in him and that when he turns up, he's still the man to beat and one of the best players in the world. "I'm sorry, but I've got to say we haven't seen Michael turn up for a while now. We've seen flashes of brilliance. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "Has it slipped into his head he has other priorities? He loves spending time with the missus and the kids going on holiday." Lloyd, who retired in 2016, added: "Has that little bit of spark gone from Michael's game? Fans sing along to Luke Littler's walk-on song as darts star shares footage from stage "He'll turn up and he's got all the good intentions of how a champion is. You don't turn up to make the numbers up, you turn up to win." But if Lloyd thought Van Gerwen would be stepping away from the oche any time soon, he'd be sorely mistaken. Last December at the World Championships, Van Gerwen vowed to 'be on the scene for a little bit longer'. "If you look at my rankings this year, I'm still in the top four or five," Van Gerwen said. "Can you imagine when I play well again? I will be really dangerous." 2 Colin Lloyd retired from darts in 2016 Credit: Getty
