ASPINALL OPENS UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABUSE
16/05/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
By Phil Lanning
NATHAN ASPINALL says that social media hate ruined his life after being selected for the Premier League.
The World No.10 and Gerwyn Price were both given stick by fans that they deserve to be selected for the 16-week tournament.
But Price has qualified for the play-offs at the O2 and Aspinall is almost there after winning Night 15 in Aberdeen on Thursday night.
Aspinall revealed: “I’m not going to lie, it was s***, it was hard. It was horrific. I came off social media because of the abuse I was getting.
“I am not exaggerating here but it ruined my life for a month. Not just my life, my family’s, too. It was horrific.
“But I am a professional sportsman, you have to deal with it. And I put things in place to deal with that.
“Me and Gezzy received both the same treatment and have used it to our advantage. I have enjoyed this Premier League campaign more than anyone.
“The standard has been out of this world. All eight players have done themselves credit. It has been the most competitive Premier League there has ever been and most entertaining and exciting.”
Aspinall admits it will be a huge moment if he manages to KO his idol Michael van Gerwen to reach the O2.
He faces the Dutchman in Sheffield next Thursday and a win will secure his place in the top four.
He added: “I had a couple of fantastic exhibitions in Wales at the weekend. Three or four days at home with the family, sun is out, kids in the paddling pool, we had a barbeque. And I felt dead relaxed.
“Over the last two years I have come fifth. I have said to my family, ‘I don’t want to come fifth again’. It’s so hard watching it.
“Getting FaceTime off Van Gerwen or whoever is in the playoffs, saying ‘wish you were here, mate.
“The pressure is on Michael. I will prepare for it like it’s a do-or-die game. It’s in my hands now.
“Van Gerwen is my idol in darts, the GOAT of darts, and if I can qualify by beating him back-to-back weeks that would mean more to than any other darts player.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
