Chris Dobey is bidding to ignite his Cazoo Premier League Play-Off push in Berlin on Thursday, after enjoying an incredible homecoming in Newcastle on Night Eight.
Dobey was the star attraction at the Utilita Arena last Thursday, and he received a rapturous reception on Tyneside as he made his entrance to Newcastle United anthem ‘Local Hero’.
Members of Newcastle United supporter group ‘Wor Flags’ also put on a special display to accompany Dobey’s walk-on, and the 32-year-old admits it was a night to remember.
“It was special. It means a lot to me being a big Newcastle fan, having them come and do that with the flags for me was breathtaking,” reflected Dobey.
“I didn’t expect it to be like that. I just had to take a moment when I got on stage to get my head around it.
“Normally I go to St James’ Park and it’s for everybody in the ground. That was for me and that meant a lot.
“I was feeling the pressure 100 per cent, I can’t lie. I’m normally as calm as anything but I felt it.
“I think you could see in my performances, I wasn’t settled in any of my games, but I loved every minute.”
Dobey delighted his partisan home support with a quarter-final victory over World Champion Michael Smith, recovering from 3-1 down to defeat the St Helens star for a second straight week.
Dobey’s five-year-old son Cole was among the 8,000 fans roaring the Masters champion on to victory over the world number one, and he almost produced more comeback heroics in the semi-finals.
The Masters champion trailed 5-2 against Gerwyn Price before reducing the arrears to 5-4, although the Welshman eventually ran out a 6-4 winner in a repeat of Nottingham’s Night Seven showpiece.
“To have my little boy there meant more than anything,” added Dobey, who leapfrogged Dimitri Van den Bergh into fifth spot following Night Eight.
“He doesn’t come very often, so to live that moment on stage, it just meant the world.
“The crowd were brilliant. I was just glad to get that first win under my belt for myself and the fans.
“They gave me the motivation to keep going when I was struggling [against Gezzy]. They kept believing in me.”
Dobey enjoyed the dream start to his debut campaign with Night One success in Belfast, but this was followed by a run of five successive quarter-final exits.
However, the 32-year-old has responded by claiming five points in the last two weeks, and he’s just two points adrift of the top four places at the halfway point of this year’s league phase.
The Bedlington thrower will take on third-placed Nathan Aspinall at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Thursday, in a clash which could have major repercussions in the battle for Play-Off qualification.
Dobey defeated Aspinall en route to victory in Belfast, although the Stockport star gained revenge on Night Six in Liverpool, converting all six of his double attempts to triumph in a thrilling quarter-final.
“I think the occasion got the better of me last week, but I will put that right in Berlin,” Dobey declared.
“There is more to come from me. Obviously, I won that first week, and I believe I can play better.
“I’ve played well [so far]. My performances have been pretty solid. I’m happy with where my game is at, and I will 100% be better this week.”