Nathan Aspinall epitomises resilience and self-belief.
The Stockport darts star left his job as a trainee accountant in 2018 to pursue his dream of being a professional player.
Now he’s looking ahead to taking on World Champion Luke Humphries in Night 13 of the Premier League at Liverpool M&S Bank Arena this Thursday (April 25).
Aspinall has won two nights in the Premier League so far and is on track to qualify for the semi finals.
Another night win in Liverpool will see him become the third player in this year’s Premier League to have three nightly victories.
Two-time major winner Aspinall told Merseysportlive he was not born into wealth and came from a background of poverty before achieving major triumph.
“I’ve made sacrifices massive sacrifices.
“I’ve had nothing but a pot to **** in, and now I’m okay. But to achieve where I’m at I’ve had to make so many sacrifices!”
“The Asp” revealed the toll playing darts on the biggest stages across the world has on his mental health.
And he told of the meaning behind a roulette wheel and a quote “life is a gamble” which he has tattooed on his right arm.
He added: “The rewards are fantastic for me and my family.
“But you know it’s hard for the kids, it’s hard for Kirsty my partner, my family, but it’s harder for me.
“If I’m in Belfast I come of that plane and lose I’m going back to my room on my own four white walls. It’s bloody tough and that’s why I had that done – ‘life is a gamble’.
“A lad that I’ve known for 25 years died 6 weeks ago in a motorbike accident, his funeral today I wanted to be there I couldn’t”
An honest and emotional Nathan Aspinall opens up about the sacrifices darts players and sportsmen have to make. 🎯🏟#darts #premierleagueofdarts pic.twitter.com/Wna7RawQVa
— aaronnijjar (@AaronNijjar) April 4, 2024
“A lad that I’ve known 25 years died six weeks ago in a motorbike accident.
“I wanted be at his funeral, but I couldn’t. These are the sacrifices we have to make as sportsmen.
“I’ve missed so many, all my kids’ birthdays, every year I’m not there.”
Aspinall was a semi-professional footballer in his teenage years and was once scouted by Manchester United’s academy.
It was 2012 when he first began playing in PDC development and challenge tour events.
After three years “The Asp” qualified for his first major in 2015 which was the UK Open.
In 2018, Aspinall won his first PDC Ranking Title the Players Championship 18 in Barnsley.
The darts ace won his first major in 2019 at the UK Open.
Moreover, the title took Aspinall into the top 16 of the PDC order of merit for the first time in his career.
Five Players Championship titles, a world series title and two majors have led to Aspinall earning over one million pounds in prize money over his career.
World Matchplay champion Aspinall is aiming to win his third major and finish in the top 4 rankings of the PDC order of merit by the end of 2024.
He is known for his resilience and can be seen in his performances in the 2024 Premier league of darts as he currently sits third after five nightly finals since week four.
Aspinall will also be eyeing up a first title on the PDC Euro tour as he reached his first final last year in the German Darts Grand Prix.
The 32-year-old is also a career high ranking of number four in the world.
(Feature image courtesy of “Simon O’Connor/PDC”)
