STAN JAMES WORLD MATCHPLAY champion James Wade will return to work as a part-time mechanic this week, despite claiming the £50,000 title at the Winter Gardens on Saturday.
Wade quit his job at a garage in Aldershot last summer to become a full-time professional, but has returned to his role with Kwik Fit recently to occupy his time in between practice sessions.
The 24-year-old defeated Terry Jenkins 18-7 in the final of the World Matchplay in Blackpool on Saturday to claim his first major title, and move up to third in the world behind Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld.
He has now earned over £120,000 in prize money over the past two years, but will find himself back under an engine when he returns to work on Tuesday.
"I gave up the job for about three months but then I was bored when I wasn't doing anything," said Wade. "So I've gone back to doing about two or three days a week with Kwik Fit.
"I practice with my dad and a friend in Aldershot as well as Andy Jenkins in Portsmouth, and also went up to Stoke to practice with Adrian Lewis for a couple of days before the World Matchplay."
Wade also paid tribute to his parents after becoming the youngest ever winner of a major PDC tournament.
"My dad got me into the game and my mum and dad have gone without a lot to see me play darts," Wade said.
"In the early days, when I didn't have a sponsor, they would pay for me to go away. I'll be taking them out for a good meal after this!"
Wade produced some of the finest displays of finishing in darting history on his way to the World Matchplay title, and celebrated his win by collapsing onto the oche at the Winter Gardens from a mixture of relief and delight.
"You hate the game while you're playing but it's the feeling afterwards that makes the effort worthwhile," he admitted.
"It's been a dream of mine to win a TV tournament, and this is the second biggest in the world. I still can't believe I've won it."