Simon Stothart’s 2026 Darts Q-School journey was a true underdog story. After facing early defeats and feeling the pressure, his hopes seemed dashed. However, a last-minute withdrawal saw him unexpectedly called up for the final day’s play. Seizing this incredible second chance, he battled through a thrilling comeback victory in his first match, only to then face two-time World Champion Scott Waites. Though he didn’t secure a Tour Card, Simon’s experience was a testament to perseverance and the unpredictable drama of professional darts.
The Grueling Start to Q-School
The 2026 Q-School in Milton Keynes kicked off, and as always, the competition was fierce. Simon Stothart, fresh from a busy Christmas period with Pharaoh Darts and the Darts Den, knew he needed his A-game. The field of players seemed to get stronger every year, making the path to a coveted PDC Tour Card incredibly challenging.
Early Setbacks and the Cut-Throat Reality
After an early start and a practice session with fellow players like Adrian Gray and Tommy Lishman, Simon felt confident. However, a draw in a **preliminary round** meant that even a win wouldn’t earn him a crucial match point towards the Q-School table. His first opponent was Daryl Hunt. Despite a fairly even scoring game, Simon battled nerves and ultimately lost 5-1. He felt the score didn’t truly reflect the match, with several tight double attempts just missing. As Simon puts it, “I don’t think people understand how cut-throat the world of PDC Q-School is, **just one miss and you’re done for**.”
Determined to push through, Simon opted to arrive at the venue slightly later on Tuesday, preferring to practice and stay warmed up rather than waiting around. He faced a formidable opponent in the first proper round: David Sharpe, a player already marked as a serious contender for a Tour Card. Simon played exceptionally well, but Sharpe was in unstoppable form, averaging over 100 (specifically, 101). **”David did not miss a thing,”** Simon recounted. **”Every scoring visit, he hit 2 big trebles and allowed me very little.”** Despite a leg where Simon scored 100, 180, 100, he was still behind. There was little Simon could do against such brilliance.
The pattern continued on Wednesday. Simon again arrived later, focusing on pre-match practice. He was drawn against Alfie Smith in the first round. By this point, **the pressure was immense**, knowing he needed to reach the last 16 to advance to the final stages. In a tense match, Simon managed a 5-3 victory, attributing his win to **strong finishing on his doubles**. He reflected, “If only that had been the case on Monday.” However, his run ended in Round 2 against Kirk de Ruyter. Simon admitted this was probably his worst performance of the week, succumbing to the pressure. Kirk de Ruyter went on to qualify that day.
At this point, Simon viewed his 2026 Q-School as “a bucket of missed chances and disappointment.” He extended his best wishes to David Sharpe, who eventually secured his Tour Card on the Sunday.
Supporting the Pharaoh Family
For the next three days, Simon shifted his focus to supporting the players sponsored by Pharaoh Darts. He watched games alongside some of the biggest names in darts, cheering on members of the “Pharaoh family” who were battling for their Tour Cards. These players included:
- Fallon
- Tommy Lishman
- Tommy Morris
- Scott Campbell
- Adam Leek
- Martin Grearson
All of these players had qualified and were part of the contingent Simon was there to support.
A Miraculous Call-Up: The Back Door to the Finals
Then came the unexpected. On the final day, Sunday, while at the venue to watch his sponsored players, Simon was approached by darts legend Peter Manley. After some initial confusion, Simon was called to the control desk. They explained a highly unusual situation: due to **late withdrawals, there were only 127 players available** for the final day’s competition. To ensure a full field of 128 and allow for full points to be awarded for games won, they needed one more player. Simon, who had competed in the initial stages, was asked if he would like to play in the final stage.
Of course, he accepted! **”I’d got in well through the back door via the alleyway, and climbed through the windows, but I was in!!!”** Simon exclaimed. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a shot at a Tour Card. Players and presenters alike urged him on, saying, “please do this, Simon, it will be the greatest PDC story ever!” The pressure was on, but the excitement was palpable.
The Comeback of a Lifetime
In the first round of the final stage, Simon was drawn against Mark Crutchley. He started slowly, quickly finding himself 2-0 down, then 4-1 down. Mark was playing exceptionally well, outscoring Simon and hitting his finishes. Simon rallied, pulling a leg back, and then hitting **six perfect darts (180, 180)** in another leg, with the seventh just missing the treble wire. He was back in the game.
Mark then secured the next two legs, putting Simon in a seemingly insurmountable position at **5-2 down**. With no more room for error, Simon mounted an incredible comeback. He pulled one leg back to make it 5-3, then another for 5-4. When Mark missed crucial doubles, Simon pounced, hitting 56 to level the match at **5-5!**
Simon had the throw in the deciding leg. He started with a strong 140, feeling the momentum. After trading 60s, Simon hit another 140, leaving 82. Mark left himself a difficult out shot. This was Simon’s moment. **”Simon, hit the bull!”** he told himself. He stepped up, hit the bullseye, and with perfect rhythm, **”bang, double 16, that’s it, game over.”** From 5-2 down, Simon had won the last four legs to secure a ranking point and progress to the last 64. “Wow, just wow!” he reflected.
A Clash with a Legend: Scott Waites
Simon didn’t check the draw, but knew he had two more games before his next match. He stayed warmed up, and when his time came, he found himself facing none other than **two-time World Champion and Grand Slam winner, Scott Waites.** “Great, let’s hold our own, this is gonna be tough!” he thought.
Again, Simon started slowly, quickly going 2-0 down against the formidable opponent. He rallied, scoring better and hitting consistent tons, but Scott Waites was relentless, hitting his doubles without fail. Simon felt he could have scored heavier, but it was one of those games where everything seemed to hit the wire. He lost the match 6-0. Despite the seemingly one-sided result, Simon held his head high. **”I wasn’t meant to be there in the first place so I had nothing to lose,”** he stated, soaking up the invaluable experience of playing against such a legend.
Reflections and the Road Ahead
Simon’s 2026 Q-School journey concluded, though it was certainly one for the books. While he didn’t secure a Tour Card this time, his focus now shifts to the Challenge Tour. It was a week packed with drama and emotion, and he proudly acknowledged the success of fellow “Pharaoh family” members Carl Sneyd and Adam Leek, who both won their Tour Cards, playing “like royalty!”
Simon, an English teacher, translator, and writer now living in Kazakhstan, left the UK 25 years ago but his passion for darts remains strong. All opinions shared are his own, unless stated otherwise.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
