Players Championship Finals: James Wade ‘disheartened’ Mickey Mansell would not respond to frosty handshake after Minehead win | Darts News

James Wade said he was “disappointed” that his opponent Mickey Mansell would not respond to his lukewarm handshake after his victory in the Players championship Finals.

Wade was looking to avoid joining Rob Cross, Dave Chisnall, Jonny Clayton and Mike De Decker in crashing out of the tournament at Butlin’s Minehead Resort at the first hurdle.

‘The Machine’ hit with two more than two-ton takeouts and hit 50 per cent of his double attempts to defeat Mansell 6-3 to advance to the second round.

Wade offered his hand to Mansell at the end of the game and waited for eye contact, but the 52-year-old Northern Irishman did not acknowledge him, leaving the Aldershot player confused.

The world No.6, who has been a regular at the event since it was first held in 2009, admitted that Mansell is making a “graft” due to his slow and methodical style of play.

“I shook his hand and said good luck and all that stuff but he didn’t give it back, and I was a little disappointed because I was being fair but that’s the way it is,” Wade told reporters.

He will now face either Joe Cullen or Peter Wright in the second round on Saturday.

Wade, a four-time World Championship semi-finalist during his remarkable career, was in good spirits when asked about the PDC confirming the £1 million prize for the 2026 winner at Alexandra Palace.

“I remember Barry [Hearn] – We were in South Africa over 15 years ago – and he said ‘World Championship, £1 million to the winner’ and I said ‘Oh, OK’, because Barry tells a lot of great stories.

“He did what he wanted and I don’t think he’s finished yet. Unfortunately, Barry won’t live to be 150 – if he does he’ll be worth £100 million!”

“But he did an amazing job. The match room was amazing so thank you so much.”

Wade produced a series of vintage performances to clinch The success of the 19th Players Championship in Leicester in June, ending a nearly three-year wait for a PDC classification title.

Wade produced an impressive display to defeat Scott Williams 8-3 in their decider at Mattioli Stadium, averaging 101.52 points to move back into the winner’s box for the first time since November 2022.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Wade joked. He regained his place among the top eight in the world after winning the grand prize of £15,000.

“I’m really happy. It’s been a tough few years for me.

“I went from third in the world to outside the top 20, but it wasn’t because my ability to throw darts was gone, it was because my health was gone.

“I’m really proud of myself today, because winning these events is not easy. I’ve lost in a few finals and semi-finals recently, so this is a huge milestone for me.”

He went on to reach the World Matchplay final in Blackpool in July, 18-13 loss to Luke Littlerbut he took revenge on the teenager in European Championships in Dortmund in October.

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