"I'll tell you what, it was hard work being a lorry driver": Ross Smith not complaining about darts schedule compared to previous job

After a year full of bumps and missed chances, Ross Smith was back where he feels most at home: on stage, under the lights, with the crowd on its feet.

The Englishman, a former major champion and a ProTour mainstay, showed in Poland that he still has the game and mentality to compete at the highest level. His win over two-time world champion Daryl Gurney therefore felt like more than just a victory in an early round of the European Tour.

“Yeah, to be fair, I wasn’t even thinking about how I was playing and stuff like that. Obviously, Daryl’s beaten me last year and the last couple of times on stage, so I was thinking I just need to get the job done and get the win," said Smith afterwards. "What I most respect is Daryl and the things he’s done in the game. Even at 5-0, I know he can pull it back if I’m not on my game.”

Smith knows better than anyone what Gurney brings to the oche. The Northern Irishman has won the World Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals in the past and is a tough opponent, especially on the big stage. Even with a comfortable lead, he remains dangerous.

“Yeah, possibly, but again, Daryl’s a top professional. He’s won so many things in the game. He might not have turned up as well as he can do today, but we all know what Daryl can do. I was fortunate enough to punish him today because he’s punished me a few times now.”

The fact that Smith produced a convincing win against a player of that calibre underlines his renewed confidence. The Englishman endured a difficult period with fluctuating form and results, but believes he is moving in the right direction.

Smith carried his good form into the latest run of events, and the question remains whether he is returning to top form. He is cautiously optimistic.

“Yeah, I feel like I’m getting there. The draw was a bit kinder, I was at number 16, but they keep playing Luke Littler at the moment, so I need to get out of that 16 spot. Actually, I think I’ve now jumped to 15 after today, but then I had the lovely Luke Humphries, didn’t I? So, yeah, it gets great, doesn’t it? But no, it is what it is and I just keep pushing forward and doing my best.”

That 16th place in the world rankings can be a double-edged sword. You are seeded, but you run straight into an elite player early on. Smith, however, does not shy away from those challenges.

“I back myself against Luke, even though I haven’t won yet. I think I play bloody well against him. He brings the best out of me. At the end of the day, I know I can win tournaments. I know I play well against Luke. If he gets through today and I play him tomorrow, hopefully I’ll bring my A-game and hopefully it’s enough.”

For Smith, the European Tour events are invaluable. The prize money weighs heavily in the world rankings and can be the difference between being seeded or not for major TV tournaments.

“They’re absolutely massive, to be fair. The Euros, I’ve won one game there and I think that’s virtually the equivalent of a semi-final in a Players Championship event on the floor. It just shows how important the Europeans are. They have been for years. Even when I was going through the qualifiers myself, I used to say I need to get at least half of them to even stand a chance of getting the TV events. They’re huge, absolutely huge.”

While some top players manage their schedules carefully, that is not Smith’s approach.

“For me, I’m just playing as much as I can. The only way I’m pulling out of a tournament is if I’m seriously ill or something like that, not a sniffle or anything. At the end of the day, I’ve been a lorry driver and I’ve worked in a supermarket and all sorts of stuff. The money that’s on offer now is incredible and I’m grateful to be where I am. There’s no way I’m pulling out of any tournament because I’m too busy or I’m tired or anything like that.”

That mindset is shaped by his past. Before making a living from darts, Smith worked long hours in other jobs and understands how fortunate he is to now compete at this level.

“No, no, exactly. I’ll tell you what, it was hard work being a lorry driver. Again, I’m grateful to be where we are and that’s down to everyone at Matchroom and the PDC for what they do. I remember being in the holiday camps and stuff like that to now playing in Poland in arenas like this. It’s absolutely incredible and I feel like I’m dreaming, so I’m very grateful.”

His gratitude is genuine. “Definitely. I do pinch myself because I’ve worked my arse off and I’m getting paid nowhere near what I’m getting now. I’m travelling the world, I’m hanging around with my best mates. You can almost call them family because you see each other more than family. I travel the world, hang around with my mates and get paid an unbelievable wage. I’m very grateful and very lucky. It’s a pinch-yourself moment and I’m dreaming.”

The tournament in Poland, a relatively new stop on the darts calendar, made an impression on the Englishman.

“It was great. It’s great being here. Definitely a new experience and I’m absolutely loving it. Full credit to the PDC and Matchroom for getting us over here. Full credit to the crowd. You’ve got an unbelievable crowd there. I was just saying on stage, they’ve been so respectful today, for me and for Daryl. I can’t argue whatsoever. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

Compared to some of the louder arenas on the circuit, the atmosphere was calmer, but Smith appreciated the respect shown.

“The atmosphere here is very respectful. A bit quiet. I think we’re used to a bit more liveliness. But at the same time, certain players will moan that there’s whistling and booing, so you can’t win, can you? The crowd here have been really respectful. They seem to be enjoying themselves, which is fantastic. That’s what it’s all about.”

He certainly sees potential for growth. “Yeah, I do. At the end of the day, you’ve got a crowd like that today, 2,000, 3,000 in each session. Why not? They’ve been so respectful and they’re turning up in numbers. It’s fantastic. It’s nice to be somewhere different as well. There’s nothing wrong with Germany, but we play there a lot, probably half of it. So it’s nice to explore and go to other places.”