CHRIS DOBEY used to place traffic cones out on the motorway late at night – now he is in the fast lane towards world glory.
And the man nicknamed Hollywood wants to lift the Sid Waddell trophy on Friday in honour of the great commentator’s family.
The biggest payday of Dobey’s career – the £100,000 is £35,000 more than what he got for the 2023 Masters win – was earned following a 5-3 win over Gerwyn Price in quarter-final one.
Traffic cones are a regular sight at Ally Pally because it is a cheap fancy-dress option and this brings back memories for Dobey.
Until turning full-time in 2016, the world No.15 worked long hours, sometimes 6pm to 6am, for many years on some of Britain’s busiest roads as a traffic management operative.
Dobby, 34, said: “Honestly, I do miss the craic. It was a great set of lads whom I worked with.
“When there was work to be done, it was hard work. Some of it was easy, some of it was maintenance jobs.
“Darts was a hobby 10 years ago, maybe a little bit more, now it’s my job, I’m trying to provide for my family. Not just for me but also people back home.
“I’ve got over this quarter-final hurdle. I want to do better each year. I do believe I can go all the way. Who knows it might be my year.”
Throwing the winning double was like trying to run through quick-drying cement.
Dobey overturned a 2-0 deficit but felt nervous in the closing moments as memories of his incredible collapse to Rob Cross exactly 12 months ago came flooding back.
That afternoon he led 4-0 but contrived to go out 5-4 to Voltage – one of the biggest comebacks in world championship history.
Price, 39, engaged with the crowd and tried to whip them up into a frenzy, a last-ditch attempt to undermine Dobey.
His sportsmanship antics involved smiling when Dobey missed double one and forcing his opponent to wait to throw as he put out his arms in a theatrical manner.
Dobey – who won on a 92 finish with two double 18s – says he did not notice this as he was in the zone but the Welshman was gracious at the end.
He said: “Where does this rank in my career? It’s definitely at the top. It’s a massive, massive achievement in my career.
“Getting over the defeat last year and getting over the line this year, it means a lot.
“Once again, the fans have been fantastic. I’ve never been so nervous throwing at a winning double than I have today.
“It reminded me of exactly the same as last year against Rob Cross. I thought: ‘Just keep going, you’ll get another chance.’ I’m overwhelmed.
“Thoughts did go through my head: ‘Please not again. Go out there and prove you can do it.’
“Does this banish the demons? It has got to. The hoodoo. It’s forgotten about now. I have taken that next step in my career.”
Dobey hails from Bedlington – a small town in Northumberland – and still plays mid-week Super League darts at the Whitehouse Social Club in Ashington, the place where Bobby and Jack Charlton were born.
Becoming the third successive Englishman to lift the world crown would be special given his common-man roots.
He explained: “Sid Waddell was a North East lad. It would mean a hell of a lot to me to pick up that trophy with his name on it.
“I’m good friends with his nephew, who will have loads and loads of memories of Sid better than what I had.
“If I could pick that trophy up with his name on it, not just for me but for the North East and Sid’s family, it would be brilliant. He is from Lynemouth, not far from us.
“Bedlington is a working-man’s town, where the pits used to be. Everybody knows everybody. It’s great to have had the support we have had over the past few years.”
