EDDIE Dootson has said he will realise a dream when he rubs shoulders with the best players in the world, writes Andrew Simpson.
He fulfilled a long-held ambition on Thursday when he became the latest thrower from St Helens to secure a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) tour card.
And he did so after graduating from Qualifying School, a pre-season tournament that this year attracted close to 450 entries.
WINNER | St Helens' Eddie Dootson is our second PDC Tour Card Winner from the UK Qualifying School Day One, defeating Nathan Aspinall 5-2 in their decider.
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 18, 2018
Full results: https://t.co/yK7Lj2wV4C pic.twitter.com/qm6geepv5d
“I’ve been playing for more than 40 years and this tops everything I’ve ever done,” said the 56-year-old.
“It’s fantastic, and I’ve shown that I can compete with all these young lads.
“When your heart is in the game, then you can compete and it means the world to me.”
Dootson, a specialist tyre technician, won more matches at Robin Park Tennis Centre this week than during two previous bids to make the cut.
He overcame Matthew Dicken and Cody Harris (both 5-4) in deciding legs before seeing off John Goldie (5-3), David Pallett (5-3), Lee Turle (5-2), Simon Preston (5-4) and Nathan Aspinall (5-2) to complete a memorable day.
His reward is to join Michael Smith, Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting on the PDC ProTour for the next two years.
@deadlydoots congrats Eddie. Well deserved mate. See you on the tour.
— Stephen Bunting (@sbunting180) January 18, 2018
And Dootson dedicated his success to the first of those, who will return to the Premier League in 2018.
“If it wasn’t for Michael I don’t think I’d be here,” he said.
“We practice together all the time and have taught each other so much.
“When I’m throwing with him and my son Daniel, I just want to compete.
“To get a tour card is unbelievable, a darter’s dream.”
EDDIE DOOTSONNNNNNNNNNNNN
— Michael Smith (@BullyBoy180) January 18, 2018
Dootson, who reached the last 16 at the UK Open in 2015, has enrolled at Q School in each of the past four years.
He added: “Hopefully this will spur me on now.
“My next goal is to qualify for the UK Open Finals and get back to Minehead again.”
Play at Q School continues on Friday afternoon, when a further two tour cards are on offer in the UK alongside ranking points for the Q School Order of Merit.
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