Gary Anderson is offering precious advice to protege Michael Smith after 20 years of pain and glory
Wednesday 23 March 2016 18:55, UK
Gary Anderson admits he never needed a mentor to guide him towards world title glory, but is happy to pass on 20 years of experience to his protégé Michael Smith.
The 45-year-old Scot is enjoying the finest spell of his career, which has seen him collect back-to-back World Championship trophies and he is currently defending his Premier League title.
Anderson has been joined in the Premier League by debutant Smith, a talented 25-year-old who has sought regular advice from the experienced champion.
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When he first made his name in the sport, Anderson was known as the 'Dream Boy' and did not seek any guidance as he pursued his own ambitions.
"I'm one of these folk who is thick-skinned. If I can't do it myself, then I can't do it. That's the way it goes," said Anderson, who signed a new contract with Unicorn Darts last week.
But after a lengthy spell in the sport, Anderson knows full well the commitment and focused mindset needed to succeed on a demanding tour, and tries to steer Smith in the right direction.
"Darts-wise the boy has done it all himself," Anderson said about Smith, another member of Team Unicorn. "I can't even pick a fault with his game. I've said it for years how good the boy is and you'll know what I mean if he finds his feet on the stage.
"I can only help him go down the right roads. Over 20 years, you learn, you watch, you listen, you see things. I just keep him on the straight roads.
I've been on the road a long time now - 20 years. If I don't know my stuff by now, I never will.
"After I've played darts at the weekend, it's back to the hotel, something to eat, you're in the room by about six 'o' clock at night. There are no late nights or anything like that. We're there to work.
"I've been on the road a long time now - 20 years. If I don't know my stuff by now, I never will. I always do my best to help people out, but you can only tell them. If they listen, they listen. If they don't, they don't."
Anderson missed the opening week of the Premier League due to a debilitating virus and fellow-Scot Robert Thornton has also struggled with illness during the campaign.
With the relentless demands of the tour, the players spend much of their week on the road, and Anderson insists the unsettled lifestyle is not conducive to a healthy regime.
"We are all athletes, we're all ripped with six packs and muscles," he joked. "You've got to remember, while you're on your bed sleeping, we're travelling. I'm in the car driving six or seven hundred miles.
"At three 'o' clock in the morning, that's when you have your dinner and it's not the best thing to be eating at that time. It takes a lot out of you. You can only try to keep fit. You're away six days out of seven, so it's quite hard to get that regime going."
A growing television audience witnesses the changing fortunes of the top stars and Anderson regularly locks horns with the likes of world No 1 Michael van Gerwen and the resurgent Phil Taylor.
Even a world champion must endure painful defeats, but Anderson will continue the defence of his trophies with a smile on his face.
"There are times when I didn't enjoy playing darts and it was a struggle," he said. "But I'm back enjoying it. Put in the work and if you're enjoying it, to me that makes a difference.
"If you're up there doing something that you don't want to do, or don't like, it's going to be a struggle. Just enjoy it, even if you're taking it serious, still enjoy it. Of course you get upset if you get beat, but don't let that put you off."
Gary Anderson has signed a new deal with Unicorn Darts, which will take their partnership past the 10-year mark.
