ASPINALL SICK OF DE DECKER TALK

By Aaron Nijjar

NATHAN ASPINALL believes that he has earned his spot in this year’s Premier League despite the criticism his inclusion faced from fellow players.  

The talented two-time Major winner’s selection sparked backlash from World No. 6 Dave Chisnall and reigning World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker, who felt their exclusion was unfair.  

They suggested that the Stockport ace’s inclusion was influenced by the popularity of his walk-on song, Mr Brightside. 

However, ‘The Asp’ has no issues with Chisnall’s comments, as he believes ‘Chizzy’ wouldn’t have personally written them and dismissed any talk of De Decker.  

He said: “I came off social media for a start. I said it recently, the only opinion that matters is the PDC’s. People are entitled to their opinion, people are entitled to favourites. But for me, the only opinions that matter are Matt Porter’s and the PDC’s and they put me in so I am in. I don’t need to prove anything.  

“I am really good friends with Chizzy [Chisnall] and it isn’t Dave who would have written that. I have no issues with Dave because he won’t have written that. That is a separate issue that I will deal with. 

“And I am not going to talk about Mike De Decker. I am sick of talking about Mike De Decker. I will never forget the first time I met Barry Hearn and he said we are entertainers as much as sportspeople and that is what I bring to the table.”   

Aspinall has made a strong start to 2025, reaching the quarter-finals of both the World Championship and the Winmau World Masters, where he impressed with a 103+ average in his first-round match against Andrew Gilding.  

The 33-year-old has also climbed back into the world’s top 10 and will be aiming to carry that form throughout the rest of the year. 

He added: “I am working really hard behind the scenes trying to get fit and healthy. I am trying to have a cleaner life than I have in previous years.  

“I do think this is going to be the biggest year of my career. I am doing everything in my power to make that a reality. It is mad. The last 12 months since Luke [Littler], it has gone through the roof.  

“You just look at the numbers in Bahrain, it was sold out, and to be honest that is not an audience I ever thought we would get to. It is amazing the doors that are opening for me at the moment. Long may it continue.”  

Images by Taylor Lanning.