ASPINALL BARES ALL ON QUITTING DARTS FEARS
16/07/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
NATHAN ASPINALL revealed he came within a whisker of quitting darts for good just a year ago.
Two-times major winner Aspinall has bounced back brilliantly in 2025 by picking up two Euro Tour titles and firmly re-establishing himself among the sport’s elite.
World No. 6 Aspinall also attained a quarter-final finish in all three ranked-televised events.
But the Stockport star admits he was at rock bottom just 12 months ago ahead of the World Matchplay after battling dartitis and nagging injuries that left him fearing his throwing days were over.
He said: “It was here 12 months ago I remember walking around the lake with Pete, who was security, saying I need to put a plan in place because I don’t think I’ll be playing darts in two years.
“I actually started the process of setting up my own darts academy.
“I’m an ambassador for one in Stockport, but I was in the process of doing like a Nathan Aspinall School of Excellence to try and give something back to a sport that I loved, but unfortunately, I couldn’t play it anymore.
“That was how bad it was 12 months ago, and it’s made me re-evaluate things that, yeah, things don’t last forever.”
‘The Asp’ says hitting rock bottom made him completely rethink life away from the oche.
He added: “So what I’ve done now is I’ve tried to be a bit more sensible with the money that I’m earning, and going to a bit of property and stuff like that, just to think that if something happens again in the future, which knowingly it will, I’ve always got a backup plan and my family will always be secure.
“So not just in the darts world, but in my personal life as well, it was a big eye opener, and you know what I always say things happen for a reason.
“I think it’s happened for a reason, to stop being an idiot and actually put a plan in place for the future.”
The 34-year-old heads back to the Winter Gardens full of belief that he can become just the fourth player to win the Phil Taylor trophy more than once.
He revealed: “I believe me and Gezzy are right up there. I think we’re playing really well. I think Stephen Bunting is playing great as well.
“But I certainly think, Humphries is the best player in the world at the moment, followed by Littler, and then there is a chasing pack, shall we say.
“But it’s good to be one of them players again. I’ve always said I’m the guy that always gets ripped off and underrated and stuff like that.
“I think people are realising at the moment that I’m pretty decent at this game.”
Aspinall will face Daryl Gurney in round one of the tournament in Blackpool this weekend.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
