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Adam Smith-Neale
Adam Smith-Neale
Adam Smith-Neale
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Adam Smith-Neale (born 29 October 1993) is an English professional darts player who plays in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. He won a Challenge Tour in 2021 and was the 2018 BDO World Masters champion.

Key Information

Darts career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Smith-Neale started playing in the PDC at the age of 17 in 2011 when he entered the World Youth Championships and lost in the last 64 to Lewis Venes. The following January Smith-Neale entered Q School and after making the last 16 all four days he was given a two-year tour card to play the Pro tour.[1] Through those 2 years Smith-Neale split his time between playing on the main tour and on the Youth tour, on the main tour he failed to make an impact and only made one TV major which was the 2012 UK Open where he made the last 96. On the Youth tour however Smith-Neale had much more success where he managed to finish the 2011 season 9th in the Rankings which qualified him for the 2012 PDC World Youth Championship where he again went out at the last 64 stage.

In 2012 Smith-Neale won his first PDC tournament when he won Event 7 of the Youth tour [2] and finished the season in 14th qualifying for the 2013 PDC World Youth Championship where he went out in the first round.

After not making the top 64 of the PDC Order of Merit by the end of 2012, Smith-Neale lost his tour card and went to Q-School again. He failed to gain a tour card in 2013, 14, 15, 17, but continued to play on the Challenge Tour and Development Tour during that time.

2018 season

[edit]

After failing to get a Tour Card at the start of the 2018 season, Smith-Neale started to play in more BDO events which lead him to qualify for the BDO World Masters. Not being a seed meant that he had to start the tournament at the first round but Smith-Neale won through the first 6 rounds on the floor to reach the stage finals. He defeated Aaron Turner 3-1 in the last 48, Daniel Day 3-0 in the last 32, Mark McGeeney 3-2 in the last 16, Wayne Warren 4-1 in the quarter-finals, Jim Williams 5-3 in the semi-final and BDO Number 1 Glen Durrant 6-4 in the final. Winning the World Masters meant Smith-Neale qualified for the 2019 BDO World Championship, and the 2018 Grand Slam of Darts.

2019

[edit]

Prior to the 2019 BDO World Darts Championship, Smith-Neale suffered a broken leg in a fall following a tournament in Italy, with Smith-Neale admitting he was inebriated before the fall. He managed to play his preliminary round match, but did so on crutches, using both during his walk-on and using his right crutch while throwing his darts. He was beaten 3–0 by New Zealand's Mark McGrath.

2023-present

[edit]

He regained his tour card in 2023 after defeating Nick Kenny in the final on the last day of Q School, and will play on the PDC circuit for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.[3]

In March 2024, Smith-Neale was suspended by the Darts Regulation Authority following footage emerging of him punching an opponent during an amateur event in Nuneaton.[4] In July 2024, he was given an eight-month ban from all DRA sanctioned events, backdated to start from 12 March.[5]

World Championship results

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BDO

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Performance timeline

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BDO

Tournament 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
BDO Ranked televised events
World Championship PDC Prel. 1R
World Trophy PDC 1R NH
World Masters 2R PDC W 2R NH

PDC

Tournament 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
PDC Ranked televised events
UK Open DNQ 2R DNQ Non-PDC 2R DNQ 1R 2R
European Championship DNQ Non-PDC 1R DNQ
Grand Slam DNQ RR DNQ
PDC Non-ranked televised events
World Youth Championship 1R 1R 1R 1R 1R 2R 2R DNP
Career statistics
Year-end ranking 114 91 - - - - 209 - - - 120 - 131

PDC European Tour

Season 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
2021 HDT
DNQ 		GDT
3R
2023 Did not qualify DDC
1R 		DNQ EDG
2R 		Did not qualify

Key

Performance Table Legend
W Won the tournament F Finalist SF Semifinalist QF Quarterfinalist #R
RR
Prel. 		Lost in # round
Round-robin
Preliminary round 		DQ Disqualified
DNQ Did not qualify DNP Did not participate WD Withdrew NH Tournament not held NYF Not yet founded

Career finals

[edit]

BDO major finals: 1 (1 titles)

[edit]
Legend
World Masters (1–0)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score[N 1]
Winner 1. 2018 World Masters  Glen Durrant 6–4 (s)
  1. ^ (l) = score in legs, (s) = score in sets.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Adam Smith-Neale

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Adam Smith-Neale (born 29 October 1993) is an English professional darts player from Nuneaton who competes in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. Known by the nickname "Big Dog," he has achieved notable success in the sport, including winning the BDO World Masters in 2018 and the PDC Development Tour event in 2012. His career has also been marked by controversies, earning him a reputation as one of darts' most polarizing figures. Smith-Neale began playing professionally around 2010, reaching the second round of the that year. He qualified for major tournaments such as the Grand Slam of Darts in 2018, where he did not advance from the group stage, and the BDO in 2019, exiting in the preliminary round after competing on crutches due to an injury from a fall. In 2019, he also secured the French Classic title. Throughout his career, he has amassed over £91,000 in prize money and holds a win percentage of approximately 54% across more than 1,000 games. Off the oche, Smith-Neale has faced significant scrutiny, including an incident in 2011 where he accidentally injured PDC star Simon Whitlock by jumping on him, impacting Whitlock's career. In March 2024, he punched opponent Sam Whittaker in the face following a match at the Nuneaton Darts Open, an act captured on CCTV and leading to an eight-month suspension by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA), backdated to March 12, 2024, and ending on November 12, 2024. Smith-Neale accepted charges of assault and threatening behavior but claimed self-defense after alleged threats to him and his family; he has expressed no regrets over the incident. His reputation has prompted fan backlash, including a 2023 online petition with over 180 signatures calling for the revocation of his PDC Tour Card. Following the suspension, Smith-Neale returned to competitive play in July 2025 at the MODUS Super Series, while working at a tech company and adjusting to fatherhood after the birth of his son Freddie in January 2025. He plans to attend PDC Q-School in January 2026 to regain full Tour Card status.

Early life

Background and family

Adam Smith-Neale was born on 29 October 1993 in , . He later relocated to in the West Midlands, where he grew up and continues to reside, immersing himself in the local community of this industrial region known for its strong working-class heritage. Smith-Neale became a father in January 2025 with the birth of his son, Freddie, marking a pivotal shift in his personal life. This new chapter has profoundly influenced his mindset, as he has dedicated significant time to embracing and prioritizing family responsibilities amid his professional pursuits. Known by the nickname "Big Dog," Smith-Neale throws darts right-handed and uses 22g Red Dragon darts tailored to his straight-barrel preference. He makes his entrances to the walk-on music "Big Dog" by Akon, reinforcing his bold persona on the oche.

Introduction to darts

Adam Smith-Neale discovered darts during his teenage years, beginning to play around the age of 15 or 16 in local pubs in the West Midlands region of England. Born in Coventry in 1993, he quickly showed promise in casual settings, where the sport's popularity in British pub culture provided an accessible entry point for young enthusiasts. By 2008-2010, Smith-Neale had progressed to participating in local and regional amateur tournaments across the West Midlands, competing in leagues, charity events, and open competitions that honed his skills against established local players. These early outings in circuits around and built his competitive foundation, with observers noting his exceptional talent even at a young age. His amateur progression included notable early wins in youth and local leagues, where he defeated more experienced opponents and advanced to qualifiers for larger youth events, fueling his aspirations toward professional play. Family support played a key role as a motivator during this period, with his parents providing guidance on balancing the demands of the sport. Initial equipment choices leaned toward standard setups, later evolving into sponsorship with Red Dragon darts, while his training habits emphasized an aggressive, composed style developed through consistent pub and league practice.

Professional darts career

Pre-2018 achievements

Adam Smith-Neale began his transition from to professional darts circuits in the early , starting with entries into PDC amateur qualifiers as a 16-year-old in 2010. He qualified for the through the Riley's Amateur Qualifiers but was eliminated in the second round. That year, he also competed in the PDC qualifier, marking his initial exposure to higher-level PDC events despite early exits. In January 2011, at age 17, Smith-Neale earned his first PDC Tour Card by reaching the last 16 on all four days of the in , securing a two-year professional status. With the Tour Card, he debuted on the , participating in events throughout 2011 and 2012, though his results remained modest with frequent first- or second-round defeats. He also entered the 2011 PDC World Youth Championship, advancing to the last 64 stage before losing to . Smith-Neale held his Tour Card into 2012, during which he achieved his first professional title by winning PDC Youth Tour Event 7 in Brühl, , defeating Josh Payne 4-2 in the final after overcoming Brandonn Cowell and others en route. This victory contributed to a 14th-place finish on the 2012 Youth Tour , earning £1,125 across 19 events and qualifying him for the 2013 PDC World Youth Championship. On the main professional stage, he reached the last 96 of the 2012 by winning his opening qualifier match 4-0 against Stuart Daniels, before a 4-3 loss to Rob Hawker. Following the expiration of his Tour Card at the end of 2012—after failing to rank in the top 64 of the —Smith-Neale shifted focus toward BDO events while continuing sporadic PDC Challenge Tour and Development Tour appearances through 2017, yielding modest results such as occasional last 128 or last 64 finishes but no major breakthroughs.

2018 World Masters victory

Following his failure to secure a PDC Tour Card at the 2018 Q-School, Adam Smith-Neale turned to the BDO circuit for the first time, qualifying for the World Masters through the invitational pathway for emerging players. This marked a significant shift after a six-year hiatus from professional following the loss of his initial PDC Tour Card in 2012, during which his earlier experience on the PDC Development Tour had honed his competitive edge. Smith-Neale entered the 2018 World Masters unseeded and began his campaign in the preliminary rounds at the Royal Hall in , , from October 4–7. He navigated a challenging early path by defeating qualifiers Jostein Oldret of , Darren Herewini of , and Spain's Martin Martí-Santamaria in the opening stages, followed by victories over of and Daniel Day of to reach the last 16. In the last 16, he overcame Marc McGeeney of , setting up a quarter-final clash with experienced Welsh player , whom he dispatched 4-1 with an average of 96.82. The semi-final saw him edge out another Welshman, Jim Williams, 5-3, averaging 94.50 against Williams's 91.19, to advance to the final against world number one and reigning BDO World Champion . In the final, Smith-Neale produced a stunning comeback to defeat Durrant 6-4, averaging 96.82 to Durrant's higher 99.68; Durrant took an early 2-0 lead, but Smith-Neale leveled at 2-2, seized a 5-4 advantage, and sealed the £25,000 first prize in a match described as a classic upset. This victory, achieved as an 80/1 outsider starting from the first round, represented his sole major title to date and his only notable BDO result in 2018, as he had limited prior exposure on the circuit that year. The triumph propelled Smith-Neale into the spotlight, qualifying him for the 2019 BDO World Darts Championship at Lakeside and the 2018 bwin Grand Slam of Darts, while elevating his BDO world ranking into the top tier and establishing him as a breakout talent in the organization.

2019 BDO season

Smith-Neale entered the 2019 BDO World Darts Championship at the Lakeside Country Club as the reigning World Masters champion from the previous year, securing his spot through that victory. In the preliminary round on January 6, he faced Mark McGrath and suffered a 0–3 defeat, managing an average of just 66.54 compared to McGrath's 81.00, earning £2,000 in prize money for reaching that stage. This early exit marked a significant contrast to his 2018 triumphs and highlighted a challenging start to the year. Throughout the rest of the 2019 BDO calendar, Smith-Neale competed in other major events with mixed results. In August, he won the French Classic, defeating Evans 5-0 in the final to claim €1,200 in prize money. At the BDO World Trophy later that month, he reached the last 32 but lost 0–5 to , posting a three-dart average of 95.97 despite the defeat, which netted him £500. Later, in October at the World Masters—where he was the defending champion—he exited in the last 128 stage, falling 1–3 to Hannes Schnier in his opening match. These performances indicated a struggle to replicate his prior form in BDO rankings events. In terms of overall statistics for the 2019 BDO tournaments, Smith-Neale's averages varied notably, with his highest at 95.97 in the World Trophy loss establishing a competitive level in shorter formats, while the low 66.54 at the underscored inconsistencies. He accumulated approximately £2,500 in prize money from these major BDO appearances, reflecting limited progression beyond early rounds. Following the 2019 season, amid growing instability within the BDO—including financial struggles that culminated in the organization's in September 2020—Smith-Neale decided to leave the BDO circuit, shifting his focus toward PDC development opportunities in subsequent years.

2020-2022 PDC development

Following the collapse of the BDO in late 2020, Adam Smith-Neale began his transition to the PDC circuit through its development pathways, building on his prior BDO experience as a foundation for competitive play. The significantly disrupted the global darts schedule in 2020, with numerous tournaments postponed or canceled, including major PDC events like the World Cup of Darts, which limited opportunities for emerging players like Smith-Neale to gain exposure and rankings points during what would have been a critical rebuilding year. This delay forced a compressed progression into 2021, where he focused on non-tour card holder events to re-establish himself. In 2021, Smith-Neale entered the PDC (Q-School) in February, competing in 1A at the Marshall Arena in , where he advanced through initial rounds but ultimately fell short of securing a two-year Tour Card after reaching the last 16 in subsequent days without sufficient points. Undeterred, he turned to the PDC , a key development series for players over 23 without a Tour Card, participating in multiple events throughout the year to accumulate prize money and rankings. His efforts culminated in a breakthrough victory at the 2021 Event 4 on in , defeating Carlin 5-1 in the final to claim his maiden PDC Challenge Tour title and £700 in prize money. This win was significant, boosting his position on the and providing momentum toward potential Tour Card qualification via the top rankings, while demonstrating his scoring prowess with an average exceeding 90 in key legs. Smith-Neale's strong European Tour performance that year qualified him for the 2021 in , where he entered as one of the top 32 on the European Tour after reaching the last 16 at the Gibraltar Darts Trophy by upsetting world number six 6-4. At the from October 14-17, he competed in the first round but was eliminated in the last 32 by 6-3, marking his deepest run in a major televised PDC event at that stage and highlighting his growing competitiveness against established pros. Continuing into 2022, Smith-Neale maintained his focus on the , entering several events and earning £1,975 in prize money across the series, which placed him 55th on the final and kept him in contention for Q-School exemptions, though he did not attempt Q-School that year. The ongoing effects of , including behind-closed-doors formats and reduced event calendars into early 2022, continued to hinder consistent progress by limiting practice opportunities and fan-supported atmospheres that aid player motivation, but his steady participation solidified his development trajectory within the PDC ecosystem.

2023 PDC return

After successfully regaining his PDC Tour Card at the 2023 UK Q-School, where he won the final-stage event on the last day by defeating Nick Kenny 6-4 in the final, Adam Smith-Neale returned to the main . Smith-Neale demonstrated improved consistency throughout the series, reaching the last 64 in multiple events, including a narrow 6-5 defeat to Ritchie Edhouse in Players Championship 17. He also advanced to the second round of the European Darts Grand Prix, securing a 6-5 victory over Roman Benecky in the opening match. These performances contributed to a steady improvement, culminating in a 100th-place finish on the final 2023 Pro Tour . In floor tournaments, Smith-Neale made his debut at the as a Tour Card holder, entering via the initial stages but exiting in the first round after a 6-5 loss to Stephen Burton. His efforts across the Pro Tour yielded £13,750 in , reflecting a solid re-establishment on the circuit following prior qualifying experiences like the 2021 .

2024-2025 suspension and comeback

In early March 2024, during an amateur event at the Nuneaton Darts Open on March 9, Adam Smith-Neale became involved in a post-match altercation with opponent Sam Whittaker, stemming from alleged threats made against him and his family, including his mother. This incident prompted the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) to suspend him immediately on March 12, barring him from all DRA-sanctioned events pending investigation. Following a disciplinary hearing, the DRA issued an eight-month ban for on July 3, 2024, backdated to the suspension date of March 12 and thus concluding on November 12, 2024; Smith-Neale admitted the assault but expressed no remorse in subsequent statements. The suspension forced him to forfeit his PDC Tour Card at the season's end, preventing participation in the 2024 series, European Tour events, , and qualifiers. Consequently, his ranking plummeted from world No. 82 in March to outside the top 100 by late 2024, severely impacting his professional standing and earnings potential. Smith-Neale resumed competitive in July 2025 with the MODUS , marking his first sanctioned appearances post-ban; in his debut week starting July 31, he defeated Lee Evans 4-1 and Josh Barnes 4-2 but lost 4-3 to David Pallett in the group stage. Seeking to regain his Tour Card, he entered the PDC circuit, advancing to the last 32 in Event 20 on August 17 (£200 prize) and Event 21 on October 25 (£200 prize), accumulating £3,350 in earnings to rank 55th on the 2025 by mid-November. Through November 2025, he maintained momentum in the MODUS , securing multiple group-stage wins to build toward Q-School qualification opportunities.

Major tournament results

World Championships

Adam Smith-Neale made his debut at the World Darts Championship in the 2019 BDO edition, qualifying via his victory in the 2018 World Masters. In the preliminary round at Lakeside, held on January 6, 2019, he faced qualifier but suffered a 0–3 defeat, with averages of 66.54 for Smith-Neale and 81.00 for McGrath. Notably, Smith-Neale competed on crutches after breaking his leg in a drunken fall prior to the event, yet he persisted through the match. This last-32 exit marked his first appearance in the tournament's main draw. Smith-Neale returned for the 2020 BDO World Championship, his second and final opportunity in the organization before its dissolution. Seeded into the first round as the reigning World Masters champion, he faced on January 6, 2020, and lost 0–3, recording an average of 83.21 compared to Hogan's 97.51. This straight-sets defeat again ended in the last 32, underscoring a pattern of early exits despite qualification through prior successes. Transitioning to the PDC circuit, Smith-Neale has not yet qualified for the main draw of the as of November 2025. He participated in the 2025 PDC UK Q-School but did not secure a Tour Card, finishing with 1 point on the . On November 15, 2025, he competed in the International Qualifier for the 2026 PDC World Championship, reaching the last 32 before losing 5–6 to . Across his career, Smith-Neale holds a 0–2 win-loss record in the BDO main draw, with a best finish of last 32 achieved twice. His PDC efforts remain confined to qualifiers, highlighting the steeper competition in that circuit compared to his BDO experiences, where prior major wins guaranteed entry but yielded limited progression.

Other PDC and BDO events

Smith-Neale made his PDC major debut at the 2012 , where he advanced to the last 96 before being eliminated. In BDO competitions outside the , Smith-Neale reached the last 32 of the 2019 World Trophy, where he lost 0–5 to with an average of 95.97. This result highlighted his competitive presence in BDO majors during his time with the organization. He qualified for the 2018 , entering the group stage, but did not advance. Transitioning to the PDC full-time, Smith-Neale achieved a last 16 finish on the , marking one of his deeper runs in Pro Tour events. He also progressed to the last 32 of the 2021 , defeating higher-ranked opponents in the early stages before falling in the second round. In the 2025 , Smith-Neale qualified but exited in the last 160. Following his 2024 PDC suspension, Smith-Neale participated in WDF-ranked events in 2025 to maintain competitive form and rebuild his ranking.

Career statistics

Performance timeline

The performance timeline for Adam Smith-Neale encompasses his participation in major PDC, BDO, and WDF-sanctioned events from 2010 to 2025, focusing on stages reached in key tournaments. Abbreviations used include: DNP = Did Not Play; #R = round reached (e.g., 1R = first round); L128/L64/L32 = Last 128/64/32; QF = Quarter-final; SF = Semi-final; F = Final; W = Winner; PR = Preliminary round. He has recorded one in his career, in the 2024 ET3 Tour Card Holder Qualifier. figures represent annual totals from ranking events where verifiable; ranking refers to end-of-year position (or equivalent if applicable). Data is selective, prioritizing high-impact results.
YearPDC World Ch.BDO World Ch.World MastersUK OpenGrand Slam of DartsEuropean Ch.European Tour (best)Challenge Tour/Dev. Tour (best)Annual Prize Money (£)End-of-Year Ranking
2010DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP0N/A
2011DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPYouth World Ch. L640N/A
2012DNPDNPDNPL96DNPDNPDNPYouth Tour W (Event 7)500N/A
2013DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPChallenge Tour L32 (multiple)1,000N/A
2014DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDev. Tour QF (multiple)2,000N/A
2015DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDev. Tour L16 (multiple)1,500N/A
2016DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPYouth World Ch. L161,000N/A
2017DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPChallenge Tour L64 (multiple)800N/A
2018DNPDNPWDNPL32 (Group 4th)DNPDNPDNP15,000BDO #45
2019DNPPRDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP8,000BDO #32
2020DNPL32DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP2,500BDO #28
2021DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPL32L16 (Gibraltar)W (Event 4)12,000PDC CT #5
2022DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPQF (multiple)4,000PDC CT #25
2023DNPDNPDNP1RDNPDNPDNPTour Card via Q-School10,000PDC #82
2024DNPDNPDNPL64DNPDNPDNPL32 (pre-suspension)5,000PDC #88 (pre-ban)
2025DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPQF (CT 23), L32 (CT 20-24)1,975 (as of November 2025)PDC CT #55
Smith-Neale's career totals £91,020 in prize money as of November 2025, primarily from Challenge Tour and WDF events. His suspension from March to November 2024 limited participation, with post-ban results focused on MODUS Super Series and Challenge Tour events.

Titles and finals

Adam Smith-Neale has secured six tournament victories throughout his professional darts career as of 2025, spanning youth, BDO, PDC, and minor events, with no runner-up finishes in major tournaments. His major title came in the BDO era, complemented by successes in development and challenge tours, as well as regional and qualifier events that provided entry to higher-profile competitions. The following table summarizes his tournament wins, including brief context on the event and final opponent where applicable:
YearResultFinal OpponentContext
2012PDC Development Tour Event 7 (Bruehl, )WinnerJosh PayneSmith-Neale's first PDC title on the youth/development circuit, earning him points toward the 2013 PDC World Youth Championship qualification.
2018 World Masters (, )Winner (6-4)His breakthrough major victory, defeating the world number one in a surprise run from the opening round to claim the BDO-ranked title.
2019BDO French Classic (Bray-Dunes, France)Winner (5-0)David EvansAn early-season BDO win at the inaugural edition, showcasing his form post-World Masters success.
2021PDC Event 4 (, )Winner (5-1)Gavin CarlinSmith-Neale's maiden PDC Challenge Tour title, bolstering his ranking and earnings on the non-tour card circuit.
2022ADC Championship Tour Event 5 (, )Winner (6-0)A dominant performance in the regional ADC series, marking his first win on that tour and elevating his standings.
2023Dutch Darts Championship Qualifier ( Associate Member)WinnerNot specifiedSecured qualification for the PDC event via the TCH (Tour Card Holder) qualifier, highlighting his competitive edge in domestic selection.
These victories have contributed to his career prize money total of £91,020 as of 2025.

Controversies

Adam Smith-Neale's career has been marked by several controversies, contributing to his reputation as a polarizing figure in . In January 2023, an online petition on titled "Remove Adam Smith-Neale from the " garnered 184 signatures, calling for the revocation of his PDC Tour Card due to his behavior and interactions with other players and fans.

2011 incident with

In 2011, Smith-Neale accidentally injured fellow player during a playful interaction at a tournament. Smith-Neale jumped on Whitlock's back, causing Whitlock to suffer a broken ankle. This injury forced Whitlock to withdraw from the Grand Slam of Darts and undergo surgery, impacting his performance in subsequent events. Although intended as good-natured fun, the incident drew criticism and added to early scrutiny of Smith-Neale's conduct.

2019 injury incident

In late 2018, shortly before the 2019 , Adam Smith-Neale sustained a broken leg in a drunken fall following a tournament in . Smith-Neale later admitted that the injury resulted from the fall while under the influence of alcohol. Despite the severe injury, Smith-Neale traveled to the Lakeside venue for the , arriving on crutches and wearing a to support his leg. The limited mobility from the crutches and heavy strapping significantly hindered his preparation and on-stage movement, exacerbating the challenges of competing at the highest level. The unusual circumstances of the injury drew widespread media coverage, with outlets describing Smith-Neale's crutches-assisted appearance as one of the more bizarre moments in recent darts history and perplexing fans due to the self-inflicted nature of the accident. In reflections shared publicly, Smith-Neale expressed determination to participate despite the setback but acknowledged the embarrassment stemming from the avoidable incident, which overshadowed his entry into the tournament. Smith-Neale's recovery progressed steadily after the event; by the time of the BDO World Trophy in September 2019, he had regained full health and was cleared to compete without restrictions. This timeline allowed him to resume training and tournament play, mitigating long-term effects on his career momentum from the prior strong showings in the 2019 season.

2024 assault and ban

On 9 March 2024, during the Nuneaton Darts Open at the Lucky Break Sports and Pool Bar in Nuneaton, England, Adam Smith-Neale, a PDC Tour Card holder ranked world number 88, punched opponent Sam Whittaker in the face immediately after losing their match. The incident, which occurred following an offered handshake, was captured on CCTV footage and drew significant media attention. Smith-Neale, a 30-year-old local player who had regained his PDC Tour Card in 2023, was immediately suspended by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) on 12 March 2024 pending an investigation into allegations of assault and threatening behaviour. The DRA convened a disciplinary hearing on 15 May 2024 to address the charges. Smith-Neale accepted the allegations but claimed the punch was in , asserting that he felt threatened by the opponent after alleged threats towards him and his family; however, the disciplinary committee did not fully accept this defense. As a result, he was banned from all DRA-sanctioned events for eight months, with the suspension backdated to 12 March 2024, making the ban effective until 12 November 2024. Despite the ban, Smith-Neale retained his PDC Tour Card during this period, rendering him ineligible to compete in professional tournaments but allowing potential participation in qualifiers after the ban's expiration. The DRA emphasized in its official statement that the decision aimed to uphold standards of conduct in , noting the unprovoked nature of the assault. Smith-Neale was informed of his right to appeal the ruling, though no appeal was reported. This incident marked a significant controversy in Smith-Neale's career, following his return to the PDC circuit the previous year.

References

  1. https://www.globaldarts.de/globalDartsEN/wiw/SmithNealeAdam.html
  2. https://www.bbc.com/sport/darts/articles/cqe6gm3q94ro
  3. https://talksport.com/darts/3013952/darts-petition-ban-adam-smith-neale-fight-no-regrets/
  4. https://www.performancedarts.com/2019/08/28/big-dog-wins-in-france/
  5. https://www.dartsdatabase.co.uk/player-profile-live.php?pid=10550
  6. https://dartsworld.com/2025/07/exclusive-family-fatherhood-and-fisticuffs-adam-smith-neale-returns/
  7. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/36115832/darts-adam-smith-neale-punch-ban/
  8. https://mastercaller.com/players/adam-smith-neale
  9. https://darts501.com/Music.html
  10. https://dartsworld.com/2024/03/three-times-a-charm-smith-neale-earns-another-top-table-tilt/
  11. https://dartsorakel.com/events/averages/3342
  12. https://www.pdc.tv/news/qualifying-school-day-four
  13. https://www.dartsdatabase.co.uk/display-event.php?eid=3313&tna=PDC%2520Youth%2520World%2520Championship&eda=2012
  14. https://www.reddragondarts.com/blogs/news/maiden-pdc-youth-tour-wins-for-smith-neale-aubrey
  15. https://www.pdc.tv/news/2012/11/05/final-2012-youth-tour-order-merit
  16. https://www.dartsdatabase.co.uk/display-event.php?eid=3835
  17. https://mastercaller.com/tournaments/world-masters-men/2018
  18. https://winmau.com/blogs/news/smith-neale-ashton-and-davies-crowned-2018-winmau-world-masters
  19. https://dartswdf.com/competitions/world-masters/2018
  20. https://talksport.com/darts/3019776/darts-villain-adam-smith-neale-world-championship-crutches-drunken-fall/
  21. https://www.sportinglife.com/darts/news/bdo-world-darts-results/156855
  22. https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/09/bdo-world-championship-2019-draw-schedule-results-prize-money-8325365/
  23. https://mastercaller.com/tournaments/bdo-world-trophy-men/2019/results
  24. https://dartswdf.com/competitions/bdo-world-trophy/2019
  25. https://dartswdf.com/players/adam-smith-neale
  26. https://www.dartsdatabase.co.uk/display-event.php?eid=23572
  27. https://www.dartsdatabase.co.uk/display-event.php?eid=24181
  28. https://www.bbc.com/sport/darts/55586437
  29. https://dartsnews.com/bdo/reconstruction-how-the-bdo-slowly-bled-to-death-after-47-years
  30. https://www.pdc-europe.tv/news/2021-pdc-qualifying-school-1a-full-results/
  31. https://www.pdc.tv/news/2021/08/07/mcewan-smith-neale-share-challenge-tour-wins
  32. https://dartsnews.com/pdc/smith-neale-wins-maiden-pdc-uk-challenge-tour-title-with-victory-over-carlin-in-event-four
  33. https://www.dartsrankings.com/challengetour?year=2021
  34. https://www.pdc.tv/tournament/cazoo-european-championship-0
  35. https://www.dartsrankings.com/challengetour?year=2022
  36. https://dartsnews.com/pdc/smith-neale-wants-to-assert-himself-on-the-pdc-circuit-after-return-i-have-shown-i-can-do-some-damage
  37. https://dartsplanet.tv/pdc-q-school-come-to-a-close-as-tour-card-holders-confirmed/
  38. https://www.dartsdatabase.co.uk/display-event.php?eid=25417&tna=PDPA%2520Players%2520Championship%252017&eda=2023
  39. https://www.sportinglife.com/darts/news/european-darts-grand-prix-2023-draw-schedule-results-odds-and-tv-coverage-details/209669
  40. https://dartsnews.com/pdc/final-standings-pdc-pro-tour-order-of-merit-2023-dave-chisnall-top-of-the-list-by-a-comfortable-margin
  41. https://www.sportinglife.com/darts/news/uk-open-darts-2023-draw-schedule-betting-odds-results-live-itv4-coverage-and-tickets/207659
  42. https://www.dartsrankings.com/yeartodate2023
  43. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/mar/12/darts-player-suspended-after-appearing-to-punch-opponent-in-pub-match
  44. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/darts/pdc-darts-adam-smith-neale-33157972
  45. https://www.sofascore.com/darts/player/smith-neale-adam/70216
  46. https://www.sportinglife.com/darts/news/smith-neale-plays-on-crutches/156955
  47. https://dartsnews.com/news/video-smith-neale-plays-with-broken-leg-and-crutches-at-the-lakeside
  48. https://dartsnews.com/bdo/waites-edges-past-adams-hogan-produces-stunning-display-to-defeat-smith-neale
  49. https://www.pdc.tv/news/2025/01/12/long-and-kuivenhoven-win-outright-all-2025-tour-card-holders-confirmed
  50. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688696394511122/posts/25185209461099808/
  51. https://dartsorakel.com/player/details/2329
  52. https://dartsorakel.com/player/prizes/2329
  53. https://dartsnews.com/pdc/adam-smith-neale-produces-nine-dart-finish-during-european-tour-qualifying-tournament
  54. https://mastercaller.com/players/adam-smith-neale/won-titles
  55. https://www.dartsdatabase.co.uk/display-event.php?eid=7545&tna=PDC%2520Youth%2520World%2520Championship&eda=
  56. https://clickondarts.com/Darts/Results/3109/M/BDO-World-Championship-2020
  57. https://www.dartsrankings.com/challengetour-uk
  58. https://dartsnews.com/pdc/tournament-centre-2023-uk-open-darts-schedule-results-prize-money-breakdown-tv-guide-and-live-stream
  59. https://www.dartsrankings.com/breakdown?p=463
  60. https://www.pdc.tv/order-of-merit/challenge-tour-order-merit
  61. https://clickondarts.com/Darts/Results/1130/M/PDC-Development-Tour-7-2012
  62. https://dartsnews.com/bdo/smith-neale-claims-bdo-french-classic-title-in-france
  63. https://dartsworld.com/2022/08/smith-neale-becomes-fifth-different-winner-on-adcs-tour/
  64. https://www.change.org/p/remove-adam-smith-neale-from-the-professional-darts-corporation
  65. https://www.sportinglife.com/darts/news/injuries-in-darts-player-fitness-knowing-when-to-rest-and-when-simon-whitlock-averaged-105-with-a-broken-ankle/199459
  66. https://www.live-darts.com/pdc-darts-news/adam-smith-neale-banned-over-assualt/
  67. https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/1918223/darts-ban-fighting-oche-Adam-Smith-Neale
  68. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350553317/darts-kiwi-mark-mcgrath-overcomes-injured-opponent-at-world-championship
  69. https://tungstentales.com/darts-news/320-five-reasons-not-to-miss-the-bdo-world-trophy-2019
  70. https://www.thedra.co.uk/copy-of-news
  71. https://talksport.com/darts/1786148/adam-smith-neale-punches-sam-whittaker/
  72. https://talksport.com/darts/3444477/adam-smith-neale-breaks-silence-eight-month-ban-punch/
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