Smith receives sponsorship from world champion

SIXTEEN-TIME world champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor has thrown his weight behind Swindon darts player Dennis Smith’s bid to force his way back up the PDC rankings.

The pair have been close friends for more than 20 years and now Taylor, who won the UK Open in Bolton recently, has stepped in to sponsor the former world number five and help him break back into the top 32.

Taylor is convinced his old friend still has what it takes to compete at the top of the sport, and hopes by taking the financial pressures of competing on the tour away from him, Smith will be able to concentrate on simply playing darts.

 “I’ve sponsored Dennis because I love him to bits, and I think he is a great lad, a great player and a lovely person, and I hope he does really well,” he told the Advertiser.

“He’s taken his time and he’s had to build himself back up again, and he’s doing it, he’s qualifying for the majors now and he is giving people a good game, so he shouldn’t be so hard on himself because it’s still early doors.

“I will keep backing him, and maybe we should practice together a little bit more, but he is one of my best friends on the circuit, a proper friend.

“When I play him he is still my friend, but I try and beat him 9-0 like he would me, or at least I hope he would.

“He needs to keep what he’s doing and get more and more confidence back, and that is all he has to do.

“I wouldn’t back him if I didn’t think he could do it, although it may take another 12 months or so, but if he keeps going and works hard then he will be alright.”

Smith, who has started the 2013 season in good form, is flattered by the support his friend has given him, and believes his passion for the sport will help him get back to where he once was.

“It’s great to be able play darts without any financial pressure on my back, and I listen to Phil and take his advice because he is obviously the best there is,” he said.

“He inspires you with the way he plays and everyone always writes him off and he proves them wrong, and he just goes to show what you can achieve if you work hard.

“Phil has known me for years and knows I am not just playing darts to have some fun and sign a few autographs, and he knows I love the game and have a passion for it, and he knows I will listen.

“It’s nice to be able to get on with it and play darts, and to have someone behind you who can have a word and help out is great.”

Smith is in action in a European Tour qualifier in Crawley tonight before he takes part in the Players Championship at the K2 Centre over the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday represents the last chance to earn money towards qualifying for the World Matchplay, with Smith needing a strong weekend to make it.