LEWIS: “THERE WERE A FEW COINS THROWING”

By Aaron Nijjar  

ADRIAN LEWIS has revealed a rowdy crowd in Glasgow once threw coins at him as the Premier League returns to Scotland. 

In 2011, ‘Jackpot’ faced home favourite Gary Anderson while reigning as the World Champion, having defeated the Scotsman in the final just three months earlier.  

Spectators attempted to distract Lewis by throwing coins and pints of lager at him, an experience the 40-year-old described as “awful.” Reflecting on the incident, Lewis has spoken out, acknowledging that the PDC learned valuable lessons from the incident.  

The two-time World Champion told the Mirror: “I think obviously I’d beat Gary in the world final, hadn’t I? And then this was like a few months later after that. Playing against Gary in Scotland was never an easy task. I think also playing as the last game on in the evening didn’t really help matters. The PDC learnt a lot from that game. 

“Also, Glasgow Rangers had lost to PSV I think as well. So that obviously gave them time for their fans from there to come over. So yes, it didn’t go too well at the end. There were a few coins throwing. The thing was, I mean, them coins could have gone anywhere.  

“Gary was on the stage next to me. We could both hear them all thudding against the stage. Yes, it wasn’t the best experience, let’s put it that way.”  

Although Lewis secured an 8-3 victory over Anderson, it was ‘The Flying Scotsman’ who had the last laugh, avenging his Ally Pally defeat by defeating Lewis 10-4 in the Premier League final later that year to claim his first Major trophy.  

Despite making it to the 2011 final, the four-time Major winner expressed that taking part in such tournaments can be tough, especially with an already packed schedule for top players.  

“It’s a bit more difficult than most things,” Lewis shared about competing in the Premier League. “Because you’re away five or six days a week, having to be there on a Wednesday and then Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday you’re playing. 

“That was probably the most difficult part of it really, because it’s nearly like five whole days, isn’t it? Out of your life, basically. So that’s a difficult period for any player. Certainly now, obviously, now the tournaments are coming thick and fast, aren’t they?” 

Image by Taylor Lanning.