Darts player Michael Smith is closing in on glory, but where is he from and why does he attend so many Preston North End games?
All eyes will be on Alexandra Palace tonight as Smith takes on Michael van Gerwen in the World Darts Championship final.
Smith advanced to a second final in a row by beating German Gabriel Clemens in the semi-finals on Monday night.
Smith lost to Peter Wright in last year’s final and will hope to avoid a repeat against the Dutch machine Van Gerwen.
Preston North End fans have taken a liking to Smith over recent years, but just why is that?
Let’s explore Smith’s background and just why he has that PNE connection…
Where is darts player Michael Smith from?
Smith hails from St Helens, just about 14 miles away from Liverpool.
The 32-year-old gave up on a potential career in joinery to focus on darts and you have to say it’s paid off.
The 2022 Grand Slam winner has a chance to win the big prize tonight and cement himself as one of the top darts players in the game.
Does Michael Smith support Preston North End?
Smith has become a notable name amongst PNE fans in recent times.
Back in 2020, Smith took part in a couple of videos with North End players, taking part in a 9-dart challenge against each other before Paul Gallagher came out on top and faced Smith in the final.
That was the start of Smith’s connection with North End and he has struck up a particular friendship with PNE defender Patrick Bauer.
Smith came to Deepdale to watch Bauer in action against Peterborough United in 2021 before returning a week later for North End’s clash with Swansea City.
Smith was even at Deepdale for the 1-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers last month, continuing to show his support for PNE and Bauer.
Bauer is even considered a ‘brother’ to Smith at this point with the pair often seen talking on social media.
Smith isn’t actually a PNE fan though – he has previously admitted that he is a Manchester United fan despite being so close to Liverpool.
PNE are surely Smith’s second team at this point though and many North End fans will be cheering him on against Van Gerwen.