Chris Dobey left seething as Jonny Clayton plays brutal prank during European Darts Open 2025

Chris Dobey was left fuming after unknowingly stepping onto the oche with a Liverpool FC flight in his setup – the result of a cheeky prank by Jonny Clayton. But despite the joke, the Welshman’s stunt might just mark the start of a new superstition for the Englishman.

‘Hollywood’ narrowly scraped through his second-round clash at the European Darts Open in Leverkusen, edging out German hopeful Niko Springer 6-5 after trailing 4-1. The world number seven fired in five 180s and averaged 91.27 in an impressive comeback display.

Yet all the post-match chatter centred not around the result, but around Dobey’s unusual equipment. Commentator Dan Dawson revealed that Clayton had secretly slipped a Liverpool-themed flight into Dobey’s darts case – and the Newcastle fan didn’t notice until he was already on stage.

“Dobey only found this out when he was up on stage. Immediately he had to cover it up with a towel in case the cameras picked up on it," Dawson revealed. "But the thing is he won the game coming back from 4-1 down. He has to keep it as a superstition! He was not happy about it."

The joke cut particularly deep for Dobey, a passionate Newcastle United supporter. His beloved club famously beat Liverpool 2-1 earlier this year in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley – ending a 56-year wait for silverware.

“I’ve got two kids, but that was still one of the best feelings in the world! We’ve been in finals, but not been getting there. To do it against the best team around, it always tops it off," Dobey said of Newcastle's cup win at the time. “I do remember everything from Wembley. I had to do a bit at BOXPARK with the ex-pros on stage, get the atmosphere. It was a great feeling before the game.Then to the match sitting in with the fans. It was such a buzz all around. What a win. I came straight back home on the night. I made sure I came back, I couldn’t be away that long!”

The former Masters champion started 2025 in red-hot form, reaching the final of Players Championship 2 before clinching the title at the third event. A brief dip in form followed, but Dobey bounced back in style with a Premier League victory on Night 11 in Rotterdam. Last month, he also reached the quarter-finals of the Austrian Darts Open.

Now 34, Dobey appears to be rediscovering his rhythm – and who knows, that dreaded Liverpool flight might just become a symbol of success. Stranger superstitions have taken hold in the world of darts.