Bunting opens up on most hostile match of career and lowest point in darts

STEPHEN BUNTING has revealed the most hostile match of his career after recalling the “horrendous” reception he received in Glasgow.

The world No9 faced Peter Wright in week seven of the 2015 Premier League at the SSE Hydro.

Bunting, 41, had raced into a 6-1 lead before home favourite Wright fought back to snatch a 6-6 draw.

The Liverpudlian finished eighth in the table that year but still remembers the Scottish crowd vividly.

He told the Guardian: “There hasn’t been too much hostility.

“But it’s not nice. I remember a match years ago in the Premier League in Glasgow against Peter Wright.

“He was wearing a Scotland shirt and I ended up drawing the game six-all after I’d been 6-1 up.

“I’ve never heard anything like it. My chest was literally beating with the boos and it was horrendous. I just wanted to get off the stage.”

Bunting has also opened up on the lowest point of his darts career, which came during a local league match when his confidence had completely deserted him.

The former Masters champ suffered a shock 3-0 defeat to an amateur.

He added: “It was five and a half years ago. I remember being in the pub and when I get nervous I get really cold hands.

“This particular night my hands were freezing.

“I couldn’t hit nothing and as soon as it was over I rang my manager at the time and said: ‘If I don’t get help I’m going to walk away from the sport.’”

Bunting has gone on to achieve great things on the PDC circuit, winning SIX ProTour titles, including two on the European stage.

The Bullet has also taken his profile to new heights away from the oche, building a huge social media following through skits, funny videos and interactive content before now revealing his latest venture.

He continued: “I’m also bringing a new channel out on YouTube for my football cards.

“Tobi’s going to be involved with that as well. I’ve got quite a big collection of football cards and I think that channel will do well.”

Pre-order BULLETPROOF below, on sale September 10. Go to: https://linktr.ee/BulletproofStephenBunting

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning