Coates reveals he was throwing darts in a nappy before PDC history

HENRY COATES went from throwing darts in a nappy to becoming a PDC history-maker.

The Matlock youngster became only the fifth player to win a PDC ranking title without a Tour Card when he sensationally claimed Players Championship 25 in July.

Coates, 20, was just two when a friend of his older brother gave him a magnetic dartboard and he quickly became obsessed.

He told the BBC: “I was so young but from the stories that my mum and dad have told me, I was running around in a nappy not wanting to stop.

“They just thought that it was a bit of fun and then my dad always played in the local pub league, so I think it went from there with my dad really.

“I was just in the pub playing darts too so from then on, I think people recognise that I might have something.”

By the age of three, Coates was already asking for a proper dartboard and real arrows for Christmas.

But his early practice sessions soon took their toll on the family home, forcing his parents to take drastic measures.

He added: “Yes there was hundreds of holes. I think they put a protective barrier against the wall just to protect it.”

Five years later, he was stepping into his local pub league and taking on adult players.

He added: “I've had all the older players, they try to beat you and get in your head.

“I've learned to deal with and come out on top. I think when I first started playing in the pub at the league, I was eight so it wasn't always great for them.”

His talent eventually saw him join Jamie Cavan's junior academy in Derby, where he continued to develop before making the jump towards the PDC.

That journey reached a stunning new level this summer when Coates arrived at a ProTour as a Challenge Tour top-up player and went all the way to secure the crown.

Coates beat Damon Heta 8-4 in the final with a 104.88 average to complete one of the biggest shocks of the season.

He continued: “I started getting further and further into the tournament - I just I thought there's no pressure on me and yeah, I just kept playing and kept playing well.”

Coates already has a clear goal in mind, with a place at the World Championship potentially providing another route onto the professional circuit.

If Coates qualifies and wins at least two matches at Alexandra Palace, he could potentially earn a Tour Card.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning