Latest news with #TheAsp
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Nathan Aspinall battled horrific abuse, dartitis and rejection in a different sport to reach Premier League darts finale
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NATHAN ASPINALL returns to the Premier League Darts finale today for the first time since 2021. It is a huge accomplishment for The Asp given the huge backlash his selection for the tournament received in January. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Nathan Aspinall has proved his doubters wrong at Premier League Darts Credit: Getty 2 The Asp has had to overcome numerous mental battles to reach the finale Credit: Alamy Aspinall won two nights to qualify in third place behind Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. He takes on the latter in the semi-final and regardless of the result, it has been a brilliant journey for the 33-year-old. Aspinall has returned to form since struggling with dartitis over the last couple of years. The issue first plagued him in the 2023 Premier League Darts as he threw away a 4-0 lead to lose to Peter Wright. His struggles even reduced him to tears and he feared he may never return to his best. Aspinall spoke openly about his emotional reaction to one loss, and revealed he has since spoken to a sports psychologist to help him adjust to the problem. He said: "All of a sudden out of nowhere I couldn't throw my effing dart. I just couldn't let it go. It ended up getting worse and worse and worse to the point where I was in tears. "Because I knew what it was. The dreaded D-word that no darts player ever wants to hear or get. Something called dartitis. "It's horrific, no one ever wants to get it. Not many people come back from it. "It's basically the fear of missing. There's somewhere deep in the back of your head saying 'you're going to miss this' so you stop. Nathan Aspinall shows frustration with outburst playing against Martin Lukeman "I lost the game 6-5, I went upstairs after the game and I was in the toilet and I was absolutely smashing ten lumps of s*** out of the hand dryer. I lost my head." Aspinall won the European Darts Trophy in March but has failed to progress past the quarter-final stage at every other tournament this year. Success in the Premier League would be his first major honour since the 2023 World Matchplay. It would also more than justify Aspinall's selection, which attracted criticism and ruined his life for a month, by the star's own admission. He said of the grief: "I'm not going to lie, it was s**. It was hard. It was horrific. "I came off social media because of the abuse I was getting. "I'm not exaggerating here but it ruined my life for a month. Not just my life, my family's lives, too. It was horrific. "But I'm a professional sportsman, you have to deal with it. And I put things in place to deal with that. "Me and Gezzy (Gerwyn Price) received both the same treatment and have used it to our advantage. I've enjoyed this Premier League campaign more than anyone." Aspinall has experienced a wild ride to the top ranks of darts, having turned to the sport after missing out on a professional career as a footballer. He said: "I got scouted to play at the Manchester United goalkeeping Academy, it was a feeder club for Manchester United and other clubs." Aspinall's shot-stopping ability also caught the eye of Scottish giants Rangers, although he snubbed their advances as his family didn't fancy the move up north. He continued: "I got offered contracts for Rangers when I was nine, I played for Stockport County and had trials with them. "Football was the way I wanted to go. Every kid wants to be a footballer. "It didn't work out for me but I played at a semi-pro level and I'm now a professional darts player. "If I was a little bit taller I could have made it. I got released because I was too small as a goalkeeper. I wasn't tall enough. "I met Edwin van der Sar a couple of weeks ago and now I realise why I didn't make it, because he's about 19ft."
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Nathan Aspinall battled horrific abuse, dartitis and rejection in a different sport to reach Premier League darts finale
NATHAN ASPINALL returns to the Premier League Darts finale today for the first time since 2021. It is a huge accomplishment for The Asp given the huge backlash his selection for the tournament received in January. Advertisement 2 Nathan Aspinall has proved his doubters wrong at Premier League Darts Credit: Getty 2 The Asp has had to overcome numerous mental battles to reach the finale Credit: Alamy Aspinall won two nights to qualify in third place behind He takes on the latter in the semi-final and regardless of the result, it has been a brilliant journey for the 33-year-old. Aspinall has returned to form since The issue first plagued him in the 2023 Premier League Darts as he threw away a 4-0 lead to lose to Advertisement READ MORE ON DARTS His struggles even reduced him to tears and he feared he may never return to his best. Aspinall spoke openly about his emotional reaction to one loss, and revealed he has since spoken to a sports psychologist to help him adjust to the problem. He said: "All of a sudden out of nowhere I couldn't throw my effing dart. I just couldn't let it go. It ended up getting worse and worse and worse to the point where I was in tears. "Because I knew what it was. The dreaded D-word that no darts player ever wants to hear or get. Something called dartitis. Advertisement Most read in Darts "It's horrific, no one ever wants to get it. Not many people come back from it. "It's basically the fear of missing. There's somewhere deep in the back of your head saying 'you're going to miss this' so you stop. Nathan Aspinall shows frustration with outburst playing against Martin Lukeman "I lost the game 6-5, I went upstairs after the game and I was in the toilet and I was absolutely smashing ten lumps of s*** out of the hand dryer. I lost my head." Aspinall won the European Darts Trophy in March but has failed to progress past the quarter-final stage at every other tournament this year. Advertisement Success in the Premier League would be his first major honour since the 2023 World Matchplay. It would also more than justify Aspinall's selection, which attracted criticism and He said of the grief: "I'm not going to lie, it was s**. It was hard. It was horrific. "I came off social media because of the abuse I was getting. Advertisement "I'm not exaggerating here but it ruined my life for a month. Not just my life, my family's lives, too. It was horrific. "But I'm a professional sportsman, you have to deal with it. And I put things in place to deal with that. "Me and Gezzy (Gerwyn Price) received both the same treatment and have used it to our advantage. I've enjoyed this Premier League campaign more than anyone." Aspinall has experienced a wild ride to the top ranks of darts, having turned to the sport after missing out on a professional career as a footballer. Advertisement He said: "I got scouted to play at the goalkeeping Academy, it was a feeder club for Manchester United and other clubs." Aspinall's shot-stopping ability also caught the eye of Scottish giants Rangers, although he snubbed their advances as his family didn't fancy the move up north. He continued: "I got offered contracts for Rangers when I was nine, I played for Stockport County and had trials with them. "Football was the way I wanted to go. Every kid wants to be a footballer. Advertisement "It didn't work out for me but I played at a semi-pro level and I'm now a professional darts player. "If I was a little bit taller I could have made it. I got released because I was too small as a goalkeeper. I wasn't tall enough. "I met Edwin van der Sar a couple of weeks ago and now I realise why I didn't make it, because he's about 19ft."
Rhyl Journal
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Michael van Gerwen – I'm not in Nathan Aspinall pocket for Sheffield showdown
If Aspinall beats the Dutchman in the Steel City then he will book his place in next week's play-offs at the O2 Arena. Van Gerwen can only reach the capital if he wins the event on Thursday – a big ask considering he is yet to win any of the previous 15 nightly events. A post shared by Nathan Aspinall (@asp180) 'The Asp' has a positive recent record against Van Gerwen, and said he has 'got Michael in my pocket at the minute'. But the Dutchman, who has a winning record over all of their match-ups, retorted: 'What's the overall record? 'What is the record you are talking about? 'You have a little good patch, a little good run, then it's really easy to beat someone three times in a row in this format. 'I mean, that's not the hardest thing in the world, but we're going to see tomorrow. 'It's going to be a massive night for me. I can't fail again, simple as that, otherwise I'm out of the tournament. 'Of course, I'm a winner. I'm not a loser. When you're not performing to capability, then of course, you need to be hurt, otherwise, that's not a good sign.' Aspinall, who won night 15 in Aberdeen last week to put himself in pole position to qualify for London, is not fearing Van Gerwen. He said: 'We all know Michael's not the same animal as he was a few years ago. I've got Michael in my pocket at the minute. 'I think he looked really nervous last Thursday, even in the build-up before the game. He just didn't look his usual confident self. 'All the pressure is on him. What he's got to do to qualify is a tough ask.'
South Wales Guardian
21-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Michael van Gerwen – I'm not in Nathan Aspinall pocket for Sheffield showdown
If Aspinall beats the Dutchman in the Steel City then he will book his place in next week's play-offs at the O2 Arena. Van Gerwen can only reach the capital if he wins the event on Thursday – a big ask considering he is yet to win any of the previous 15 nightly events. A post shared by Nathan Aspinall (@asp180) 'The Asp' has a positive recent record against Van Gerwen, and said he has 'got Michael in my pocket at the minute'. But the Dutchman, who has a winning record over all of their match-ups, retorted: 'What's the overall record? 'What is the record you are talking about? 'You have a little good patch, a little good run, then it's really easy to beat someone three times in a row in this format. 'I mean, that's not the hardest thing in the world, but we're going to see tomorrow. 'It's going to be a massive night for me. I can't fail again, simple as that, otherwise I'm out of the tournament. 'Of course, I'm a winner. I'm not a loser. When you're not performing to capability, then of course, you need to be hurt, otherwise, that's not a good sign.' Aspinall, who won night 15 in Aberdeen last week to put himself in pole position to qualify for London, is not fearing Van Gerwen. He said: 'We all know Michael's not the same animal as he was a few years ago. I've got Michael in my pocket at the minute. 'I think he looked really nervous last Thursday, even in the build-up before the game. He just didn't look his usual confident self. 'All the pressure is on him. What he's got to do to qualify is a tough ask.'
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Luke Littler, 18, makes Premier League history as he beats Van Gerwen in Birmingham to set incredible new record
The Nuke revealed he's dropped out of an upcoming tournament FIVE STAR Luke Littler, 18, makes Premier League history as he beats Van Gerwen in Birmingham to set incredible new record LUKE LITTLER has continued his domination in the Darts Premier League with a record-breaking fifth nightly win. The world champion saw off Michael van Gerwen 6-4 in a Week 13 showdown in Birmingham. Advertisement 2 Luke Littler has won his fifth Premier League night of the season Credit: Getty 2 The 18-year-old continues to smash records in just his season campaign Credit: Getty Littler extended his lead at the top of the Premier League standings with victory. And he also became the first man in the history of the competition to win FIVE nights in a single season. The Nuke's triumph takes him past his own tally of four from last year, where he won a maiden Premier League title. Littler averaged 102.50 in the final against MVG, who he also beat in the World Championship final in January. Advertisement It was a slow start to the night for the Warrington teenager, who needed deciding legs against Stephen Bunting and Nathan Aspinall to record 6-5 wins. The Nuke threw 7 maximums against The Asp - but was just 6 from 17 on his doubles. It came after he broke yet another record in the win over Bunting. The 18-year-old managed to notch up his 129th 180 of the season. Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK It surpassed the previous record of 128 - set by himself last term - for the most 180s in a single Premier League campaign. And Littler did it with four nights of the season remaining, including the final at London's O2 Arena. Luke Littler lands new role as darts star teams up with Deliveroo to find the best kebab in the country Prior to the match, Bunting pleaded: "I don't want to wind him up too much because I've got him in that first game! Advertisement "I'll probably leave it until after the game, and hopefully I can get a result against him." Littler told Sky: "I'm very happy. "Once I got over the finish line against Stephen I was confident. "I'm confident now that I'll stay at No1." Advertisement Earlier on Thursday, Littler withdrew from this weekend's European Darts Grand Prix. The 18-year-old will be the only player ranked in the PDC top 20 to miss the event in Sindelfingen, Germany. Premier League Darts 2025 THE Premier League Darts is back with eight players vying for massive prize money and Luke Littler's crown. The teenager, who went on to win the world title in December, won the Premier League in 2024 and will be looking to defend his crown over 18 thrilling weeks. There were two new entries this season, with Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey replacing Peter Wright and Michael Smith. Luke Humphries, Rob Cross, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Nathan Aspinall keep their place in what will be a hotly-contested title race. INFORMATION Full schedule and results, dates, TV and live stream info Latest standings as we head to Finals night How much prize money is on offer in the Premier League? LATEST DARTS NEWS Aspinall reveals shoulder was DISLOCATED before Premier League tie Michael van Gerwen will NOT represent the Netherlands at the World Cup Luke Littler to appear in special outdoor darts event SEASON SO FAR Night One - Belfast Night Two - Glasgow Night Three - Dublin Night Four - Exeter Night Five - Brighton Night Six - Nottingham Night Seven - Cardiff Night Eight - Newcastle Night Nine - Berlin Night 10 - Manchester Night 11 - Rotterdam Night 12 - Liverpool His absence will not be a shock to many fans, given his tumultuous relationship with German darts crowds. In Berlin last month, Littler was greeted with hostility ahead of his quarter-final match against Chris Dobey. Advertisement Some members of the crowd booed the world champion, who responded by making gestures. Littler was also booed at the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich two weeks ago. After the event, he took to social media to share his discontent and claimed he would not be back in Germany until October.
