Care worker from Wales uses up all of holiday and unpaid leave to play darts and now set for PDC World Darts Championship debut

One of the most notable debutants at the upcoming World Darts Championship is David Davies, a 40-year-old NHS manager from Denbigh, in North Wales. Combining his full-time job in healthcare with appearances on the Challenge Tour, the Welshman has secured a coveted spot on the Alexandra Palace stage through the qualifying tournament in early November.

Davies, currently ranked No. 143 in the world, lives the ultimate double life of work and darts passion. While others take vacations to relax, he uses his annual leave days to pursue his dream.

"I have used a few unpaid weeks here and there to go to different things," he said to Daily Star. "It's just when you need annual leave for normal holiday stuff you're running thin because you've used them all for darts."

Qualifying for the World Championship came as a surprise to Davies. At the beginning of the season, he thought his chances were slim precisely because he did not have a Tour Card. "It was never on my mind at the beginning of the year, purely because I didn't have a tour card," Davies added.

It wasn't until the last minute that he decided to sign up for the qualifying tournament. "I like people to keep me under their radar as such, but I'm slowly building a reputation where my name is on people's lips. I didn't really know about the qualifier until another player mentioned it. I was sort of like 'yeah, why not?'. I've been playing good darts, I've won a Challenge Tour this year. I knew my game was there."

Davies has made several appearances on the PDC circuit in recent months. He received several invitations to Players Championship tournaments and made it to the last sixteen of PC25 in August, with wins over Joe Cullen, among others, before being eliminated by Karel Sedlacek.

That constant progression has not only given him confidence, but now a spot on the biggest stage of all. Participation in the World Championships alone will earn him £15,000 - even if he loses in the first round. And who knows what is possible with the right form and some luck.