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Adam Atkinson may be a little lad from Hartlepool just trying to achieve a dream by his own admission but he’s amongst hundreds of players attempting to fulfil lifelong ambitions as PDC Qualifying School gets underway at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.
Atkinson landed two ADC Championship Tour accolades last season and emerged as one of the breakthrough talents in the amateur game, averaging 102 to win the North Ormesby Open and being denied by fully-fledged professional Chris Dobey in the East Middlesbrough Open final.
‘The Poolie’ made his Qualifying School debut twelve months ago and reached the Final Stage despite not making his mark, although former Premier League champion Glen Durrant has named him as his underrated player to come through the seven-day event this year.
“I’m not playing as consistent as I was last year, but I am full of confidence that I can turn it on when needed,” an honest Atkinson admitted. “As shown last year, I am capable of the standard needed to secure a tour card and ready for the challenge.
“My motto is ‘you need to keep turning up because you never know when it’s going to click’. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my friends, family and fiancee back at home as I’ve had amazing support over the last year or so.
Atkinson added: “The ADC last year was amazing for me. It allowed me to travel around the UK and test myself against an amazing field of players that helped my game improve massively.
“Those behind it have done an amazing job so far and it’s only going to get better. Averaging 103.43 in the 6-1 win over Adam Smith-Neale in tour event seven to take my second title was the highlight of the season for me.”
Nevertheless, one of the most demoralising moments of Atkinson’s season was being turned away from a local tournament following his debut in what is now known as the Modus Super Series, which involves the best players outside of the professional game.
“It was a local competition in my hometown that is done every year and I’ve supported it for a long time,” explained Atkinson. “Being turned away because I’m trying to achieve a dream of being a professional darts player was heartbreaking at the time.
“Close friends have warned me over the year that that stuff might happen, but I never thought it would, and it was mostly because of appearing at the Modus league in Southampton so they classed me as a professional.”
Atkinson defeated eventual champion Raymond Smith during his most recent appearance in the Modus Super Series with a 164 checkout, but it was the annual Newcastle Masters exhibition where his talents were made known to those in attendance.
He reached the final and constructed an opportunity to defeat Michael van Gerwen in the final, with the former world champion later taking to social media to praise him. “Huge to credit to Adam,” he said. “If he carries on like this we will hear a lot more of him.”
Reflecting on that experience and the encouragement from the three-time world champion, Atkinson expressed: “To nearly beat one of the greatest players in the sport and then hear the words that MVG said was a great thing as being a professional is my dream.
“Just to get the final itself in Newcastle was a great night for me, but playing MVG was an experience I certainly will take with me. He was amazing in that final and I had two match darts against him to take the title. I only have myself to blame as he punished me with a 108 average to my 99.”
In addition, Atkinson, who is backed by the same sponsor who took Ryan Joyce from a local talent to a seasoned professional, has received aforementioned support from three-time Lakeside world champion Durrant.
“Glen has to one of the nicest guys I’ve met in darts and he’s a North East legend,” the 28-year-old added. “He’s messaged me a few months back to offer his advice if I need it and I think in the near future I will certainly ask for it.”
Durrant is amongst numerous who believe his fellow North East thrower has the attributes to come through the gruelling Qualifying School and succeed as a professional, with Atkinson having the capability to realise his dreams this week in Milton Keynes.
