I’ve stopped partying to try to keep hold of this trophy... it belongs to me

THE name Michael Smith is etched into the plaque at the base of the giant World Darts Championship trophy — and the champion is staring at it in raptures.

- Matt Majendie

As he did at Ally Pally back in January, the 33-year-old again lifts it aloft for the cameras, but this time with his name officially alongside other greats of his sport.

“The last time there was no plaque on it, so seeing my name on it, little butterflies kick back in,” said the Englishman. “I’m like a child again.”

Before becoming world champion — twice previously he finished runner-up — he would never allow himself to touch it, his thinking being it was not his to lay his hands on.

“It didn’t belong to me, so I couldn’t put my hands on it,” he said. “But now it’s different, it belongs to me now.”

For how much longer remains to be seen. Smith does, though, have the knowledge that, “I’ve done it before, so I can do it again”.

Things have not gone to plan since. He won another tournament just a few days later and had early-season successes, but then the long runs in the televised tournaments evaporated, not that Smith is unduly fussed.