JAMES WADE was left stunned after a frosty handshake from Mickey Mansell following his win in the opening round of the Players Championship Finals.
The Aldershot hotshot averaged 94.70 and produced two ton plus checkouts to overcome the Northern Ireland thrower 6-3 in Minehead.
Wade approached Mansell at the end, offered a firm hand and waited for eye contact, but the 52-year-old barely acknowledged him, leaving the 10-time major winner baffled.
Former Grand Slam semi-finalist Mansell is known for his slow, methodical style of play, something Wade admitted makes a tough task on the oche.
He said: “He’s hard graft. If he plays normal pace it’s quite a simple game.
“Mickey plays at such a slow pace a lot of people struggle against it, you know I am not the only one.
“I shook his hand and said all the best and stuff, but he wouldn’t give it back to me. I was just a little disheartened to be fair.”
Mansell later tweeted: “Sometimes the less you say the better! & sometimes people talk more with there feet!!”
Despite the awkward ending, Wade was all smiles when asked about the PDC confirming a £1million prize for the 2025/26 World Championship winner.
Aldershot slinger Wade is yet to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy in his stellar career, despite reaching the semi-finals four times at Alexandra Palace.
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He added: “I remember Barry [Hearn] – we were in South Africa in excess of 15 years ago – and he said ‘World Championship, £1 million to the winner’ and I was like ‘Oh, okay,’ because Barry tells a lot of great stories.
“He did what he wanted to and I don’t think he is finished yet.
“Unfortunately, Barry won’t live until he is 150 – if he did it would be like £100million!
“But he has done amazing and I am not fluffing anyone up.
“Matchroom have been amazing so thank you very much.”
Big stars Rob Cross, Dave Chisnall and Jonny Clayton all crashed out in the opening round of the Players.
