ANDY JENKINS was recently the special guest at The News' Sports Awards in Portsmouth, where he rubbed shoulders with Harry Redknapp.
The News is the main newspaper in Portsmouth, and major followers of Jenkins' progress in the darts world.
Jenkins' run to the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship saw him receive backing from Portsmouth FC manager Redknapp and the Fratton Park players.
Whilst that achievement came too late for him to be nominated in this round of The News' Sports Awards, he was invited as a guest to the Awards Dinner.
He was interviewed by compere Fred Dinenage, and led a darts exhibition during the evening which also featured former world swimming champion Katy Sexton and Hampshire cricketer Greg Lamb.
"It was a lovely night and a pleasure to be involved," said Jenkins.
"I was honoured just to be invited and that kind of recognition is nice. The News give me great support and it was amazing the number of people who came up to me and said they'd seen me during the World Championship.
"It was good to see Harry and the players again too. He rang me before my semi-final and then I was invited down to a Pompey game over the New Year."