BULLY BOY’S FINALFANTASY
MICHAEL SMITH is ready for redemption as he aims to fulfil his childhood dream.
Bully Boy is into his second William Hill World Championship Final after sinking James Wade to reach the 2022 Ally Pally showpiece.
Three years ago, Smith felt he was ready to take down Michael van Gerwen and live his ambition of reaching the summit.
But it all went wrong against the Dutchman and the St Helens slinger was left distraught.
Smith can now put it right at the age of 31 and said: “I went into that final thinking I’d won it.
“I knew I was playing Michael who was in ridiculous form but if you looked at the stats, I was winning everything.
“He then beat me but I had darts to win six of the sets. If I had the belief and what I think now, I might not have missed them.
“But I’ve said that’s the past. The only thing I can change is the future.
“Hopefully, I can win and rectify 2019 and live a childhood dream.”
Smith was always in control as he consigned Wade to a fourth semifinal defeat at the Palace.
Bully led 2-0 and although he was broken in the third, he hit straight back to re-establish his advantage at 3-1.
Wade was resilient and battled but Smith came through on a 6-3 scoreline and said: “That was a tough game. I knew he’d push me.”
Smith now wants to finish the job to change the lives of his two sons Junior and Casper.
He said: “I have both their passport photos stuck in my darts case.
“Even a year ago, I’d given up but we’d just bought a new houses.
“If I miss mortgages, we’re out on the streets. We are homeless. It’s keeping me focused.”