Rab Smith

Robert Smith (born 29 May 1948) is a Scottish former professional darts player.

From finishing schooling at Wallace Hall in 1963 he worked in forestry.

He won numerous tournaments in the late 1970s and early 1980s when he was also twice a World Championship quarter-finalist.

In 1973 his ability as a Dumfries county player was quickly recognised by the newly-founded Scottish Darts Association (SDA).

He debuted for Scotland in the 1973 Home Internationals.

Smith's breakthrough on the major tournament circuit was winning the Scottish Masters in 1976 beating Dave Hill in the final.

He became the NDAGB Scottish Champion that same year.

After a particularly successful 1977, his highest world ranking was No. 4 in early 1978.

1977 was Smith's best year.

He was the NDAGB British Champion playing in the final the north-west's Eric Barlow.

Barlow had pulled off the shock of the tournament in beating the then world number one, John Lowe.

Smith beat Barlow 2–0.

In defending the Scottish Masters he was runner-up to Bobby Semple.

In March he represented Scotland in the Queen's Silver Jubilee 3's International Classic with team mates George Nicol and Eric MacLean in London.

With the final all square between Scotland and England, Smith played Eric Bristow in the decider.

Bristow was way in front after twelve darts before having 'double trouble'.

Smith described in one report 'had stolen up like a black cat in the night', and threw a 72 finish to clinch the trophy.

Smith won the British Pentathlon, beating Alan Glazier in the final.

In winning the British Matchplay he beat Bill Lennard in the semi-finals and then Eric Bristow in the final.

With the final all square at 3–3, Smith stood at the oche needing 36.

Bristow appeared to know what would happen and put his darts down on the table.

Smith initially hit single 18 but then finished on double 9.

Smith had hit four maximum 180s during that final.

In 1977 he also won the Golden Darts Championship.

He eliminated Andre Declerq of Belgium and Wales' Alan Evans and then beat John Lowe in the final.

As well as the £1,000 first prize Smith was also presented with a set of 18ct 'golden darts' and a special prize of 'a mere quarter ounce gold nugget' for scoring 180.

Smith continued to represent Scotland until he gave up professional darts in the early 1980s.

He succeeded George Nicol to captain Scotland for five of those years.

Darts writer Derek Brown in 1981 described Smith as "only 5ft 7in (1.70m) and is wiry with a muscular build one might expect of a woodcutter."

Smith retired from professional darts at a relatively young age in 1983 to spend more time with his children.

Smith was born in the Dumfriesshire village of Moniaive.

He is the only son of Robert (a dairyman) and Kathleen Smith, and has a sister also named Kathleen.

Smith changed his line of work in 1993 to be a crane operator.

In 2007 Smith gave the 'golden darts' to his grandson Rory for his first birthday.

He continued with this vocation until he took early retirement in 2011.

He married Doreen and had two children who share the names of his parents, Kathleen and Robert.

Smith was introduced to darts around the age of 9 or 10 by his father.

Smith told Patrick Chaplin in 2011, "The family lived in a big house in the country and I used to practice and practice."

He joined a darts team in the Dumfries pub league around the age of 16.

His inspiration to improve was a local player named Joe Little at another Dumfries pub, The Hole I' The Wa' (The Hole in the Wall)."From the age of sixteen I would go into town to play darts. I met Joe Little in the pub and we played darts and he beat me. I kept going back and he kept beating me. I really wanted to beat him. I practiced and practiced and worked on my game, mostly on Saturday lunchtimes and at night because I worked all day. I also practiced 12 noon to 1 p.m. most days as well… practice, practice, practice. Then all the practice paid off and I beat him."