Nathan has more Aspirations

NATHAN ASPINALL admits he thought his career was over but is now in the darting big time. 

The Stockport star sealed the biggest victory of his life, beating Jonny Clayton to win the World Matchplay last month.

Now he lines-up against Kayden Milne in the New Zealand Darts Masters tomorrow bidding for World Series success Down Under. 

But The Asp, 32, was close to tears when recalling that he thought he was finished with a torn tendon, ligament and hole in the cartilage of his right wrist. 

The new World No.5 revealed: “When it all started happened a year last January with my arm I doubted I could ever play the game again. 

“But I’ve had the right treatment and the right support and I got over that. 

“Once I did that it was trying to get the belief and will to win again. The type of guy I am, I want to succeed at everything I do. 

“I’ve so bloody hard behind the scenes. People don’t understand, they think we just go up there and throw darts. 

“The sacrifices, the will to win, practice, the time away. It’s been really really hard.

“But because of that I know now I can overcome anything in life. Before I was a dart player, I was a little rebel. 

“I’ve overcome so much in my life. I just don’t like failing, simple as that. That’s me in a nutshell, I don’t like to fail.”

Aspinall was down the last £20 in his account at the end of 2018 and contemplated quitting then. But he produced a sensational run to the semi-finals of the World Championship to save his skin then. 

He admits he performs better with his back to the wall, adding: “Yes, 100 per cent. This week I’ve bought a new house. I put a massive deposit down, wiped myself out. But there’s no better than bricks and mortar. 

“But I’ve used that as motivation to win this tournament. I’ve had my back against the wall so many times in life. 

“I just think that makes you stronger as a human being. 

“I want to make sure my family is secure for the future. That’s why I do this game. 

“We’ve bought a place in Glossop out in the sticks away from the town which I what I wanted to do for the family. 

“It’s a beautiful house but it was a little bit out of my price range. But it’s OK now because I’ve won this!

“Anyone reading this, if you believe enough, you can make it happen.”

Words by Phil Lanning.

Images by Taylor Lanning.