Alan Soutar is in the midst of a potentially ‘life-changing’ PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
But as the Arbroath ace travels to London for the sport’s elite event, he has been brought back to earth by his Dundee firefighting colleagues.
Soots was back on shift at Kingsway East Fire Station over Christmas after booking his spot in the last 32 at Ally Pally.
They dealt with house fires and flooding before Soots headed back down south.
Soots faces world no. 9 Danny Noppert in the third round on Wednesday.
But he can no longer claim to be the best darts player on his shift – after losing his title to colleague Andy Beattie.
“I’m the Christmas Cup champion on the Green Watch shift,” said Beattie, who has worked with Soutar for 18 years.
“Soots didn’t even make the final.
“Alan could beat us most days but you get the odd chuck against him. You have to take these opportunities where you can.
“He’s doing amazing things in darts and we are very proud of him.
“But when he’s in here he’s one of us and has to do the same duties as we all do. He was on the bacon butties this morning.”
Alan Soutar: I’m firefighter Soutar at work
Soutar added: “I can’t refute that.
“I lost the semi-final and Andy beat ‘Red’ Ricky Brown in the final. That’s the way it is here.
“I was at the biggest darts tournament in the world last week.
“When you are at Ally Pally you are treated like a star. People want photographs and autographs.
“But as soon as I step back into the station, I’m instantly brought back down to earth.
“I’m firefighter Soutar. There’s a lot of sledging that goes on here and I love it.”
Merry Christmas from Green Watch @ The Kingsway 🚒🎄
Hope you have all had a great day and stay safe tonight so we are not required. 🤞🏻#firefighting #protectingthecommunity #KingswayGreenWatch #ChristmasShift pic.twitter.com/rBFogg1lyM
— Alan Soutar (@soots180) December 25, 2022
Soots gave Courier Sport a guided tour of his station and introduced the Green Watch in our latest behind-the-scenes video diary.
We met his colleagues Ray Shafren, Sean Greig, Jamie Dean, Brian Harcus, Mark Wilson, Andy Beattie, Phil Duthie and Ricky Brown.
We’ll also be with him on every leg of his journey at the £2.5 million Cazoo World Darts Championship.
Reaching the final on January 3 would lead to more swap requests but boss Mark Wilson is keen to support the darts star in anyway he can.
Wilson, watch commander at Kingsway East station, is proud how Soots is balancing both roles.
“My kids watch Alan playing darts on Sky Sports,” said Wilson.
“My wee girl is always asking how ‘Soots’ is.
“Every time he wins there’s more paperwork asking for swaps or to move holidays.
“I’m getting used to the texts when he wins but he puts the shift in.
“He’ll do all his station duties – breakfast, kitchen, washing the fire engine and handing food parcels out. And he switches on when we get a turn out.”
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