WEST REVEALS WHY LEAVING PDC TOUR SAVED HIS HEALTH

STEVE WEST admits he “wouldn’t be here today” if he had continued life on the PDC Tour.

‘Simply’ opened up on the mental and financial pressures that pushed him into a “really dark” place during the final years of his professional darts career. 

The 50-year-old now regularly plays on the MODUS Super Series after moving to Portsmouth with his wife Michell. 

West says he has finally rediscovered happiness away from the relentless grind of the circuit. 

He told Modus: “I would say this is probably the only place in the last 10 to 15 years that I’ve actually felt happy and comfortable playing. 

“When I was on the tour, you’re constantly under pressure because if you don’t win, you can’t pay your bills and all that. 

“But coming here, it’s more relaxed. The atmosphere, everything around it, it’s all just relaxed and nice and easy to play.” 

West held a PDC Tour Card from 2012 to 2022 and reached a Players Championship final, three major quarter finals and three Euro Tour semi finals. 

But despite his success, the Essex thrower revealed the monetary strain became overwhelming. 

He added: “Life on tour can be demoralising. 

“You walk out of a building after being under pressure for four or five days, not having won a penny, and not being able to pay your bills. 

“At the PDC you’ve got travel costs, hotels, food, drinks, everything. 

“You can average 104 in the first round and lose and suddenly you can’t pay your phone bill. 

“It’s pressure. A lot of pressure. Honestly, I’m glad to be away from it.”

West then made the heartbreaking admission about how serious things became before meeting his partner. 

He continued: “I want to be totally honest. If I’d carried on the way I was going, I wouldn’t be here now. 

“It was really dark. Obviously I met Michelle and things started to look up. 

“She helped me out of a really dark space. Falling off the tour was probably one of the best things that happened to me mentally and for my health. 

“When I look at it now, I think I’ve still got something to give, but do I want to go back to that place? I don’t think I do.” 

West called for better financial support for players losing in the opening round of tournaments on the ProTour. 

He said: “I’d do it tomorrow if I had money behind me and no worries at all. But I don’t want to go back into it with the stress of not earning.  

“They’ve increased the prize money over the last few years — from £500 to £750 and then £1,000 — but really they should’ve added money for first-round losers.  

“Give first-round losers £250 and the winners £500. Then you’re actually a professional darts player. Until you get paid for it, you’re not really a pro. 

“A professional footballer gets paid every week whether they win or lose.  

“A boxer gets paid for taking the fight. Snooker players are in the same boat as us — if you don’t win, you get nothing.  

“If you’re professional, you should be getting paid for what you’re doing.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.