Coates swaps butcher shop for ProTour glory

HENRY COATES is carving out a darts career while spending his days carving up meat at his dad’s butcher shop.

The Derby thrower works part-time making burgers and doing the odd job behind the counter before swapping the apron for tungsten.

But Coates, 20, is now serving up a very different kind of result after becoming only the FIFTH player to win a ProTour title without a Tour Card.

He stunned Damon Heta 8-4 in the Players Championship 25 final to pocket £15,000.

He told the Weekly Dartscast: “[I’m a] part-time butcher in my dad's business. So, I work there three days a week making burgers and just doing general stuff there.

“So, I play on the nights that I'm not working. I probably have a couple of hours. Then I play three nights in the week as well.”

Coates revealed the extravagant celebration he enjoyed after picking up his maiden PDC ranking crown.

He added: “We went for a Chinese and went back to the hotel and played a few cards.

“There was me, Nathan Potter, Charlie Manby and Nathan's mom and dad.

“So, it was just a nice relaxed night and yeah, it was time to go again in the morning.”

Coates is now in the mix for the Grand Slam, Players Championship Finals and World Championship.

The youngster is refusing to get carried away with the prospect of making his debut at the major events.

He continued: “If I get in, if I keep playing well, then it's going to be another new experience gained.

“If I'm not, then there's plenty more years ahead.”

But Coates now has his sights firmly set on earning a PDC Tour Card and turning his dream into a full-time career.

He said: “Just having the confidence that I can put in constant 90 averages plus, dropping the ton-plus when I need it.

“I think, going into the future, I'd be confident in getting my Tour Card.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning