'I don't think I'll be playing darts in two years': Nathan Aspinall nearly quit darts for good with back-up plan

Nathan Aspinall returns to the Winter Gardens this month with ambition, renewed confidence and ... a particularly honest story. For barely 12 months ago, the two-time major winner was seriously considering putting away his darts for good.

The Englishman from Stockport, currently ranked No. 7 in the world, is enjoying a strong 2025 with two Euro Tour titles and quarterfinals in all ranked television tournaments. This success comes after a period of doubt due to lingering injury and problems with dartitis.

"It was here 12 months ago I remember walking around the lake with Pete, who was security, saying I need to put a plan in place because I don’t think I’ll be playing darts in two years," said Aspinall. "I actually started the process of setting up my own darts academy.

It went so far that he began preparing for a new career. “I’m an ambassador for one in Stockport, but I was in the process of doing like a Nathan Aspinall School of Excellence to try and give something back to a sport that I loved, but unfortunately, I couldn’t play it anymore.

“That was how bad it was 12 months ago, and it’s made me re-evaluate things that, yeah, things don’t last forever.”

That crisis period led to a fundamental revision of his life, not only as a darter but also as a father and husband. “So what I’ve done now is I’ve tried to be a bit more sensible with the money that I’m earning, and going to a bit of property and stuff like that, just to think that if something happens again in the future, which knowingly it will, I’ve always got a backup plan and my family will always be secure.

“So not just in the darts world, but in my personal life as well, it was a big eye opener, and you know what I always say things happen for a reason.

“I think it’s happened for a reason, to stop being an idiot and actually put a plan in place for the future.”

Still, 'The Asp's' resilience is impressive. Despite the past, he is now just back at it again in Blackpool, chasing his second World Matchplay title. Only Phil Taylor, Rod Harrington and Michael van Gerwen won this tournament more than once. Aspinall hopes to join that illustrious list soon.

And he believes it can be done. “I believe me and Gezzy are right up there. I think we’re playing really well. I think Stephen Bunting is playing great as well.

“But I certainly think, Humphries is the best player in the world at the moment, followed by Littler, and then there is a chasing pack, shall we say.

His status in the world of darts seems to have been definitively restored, and that feels good. “But it’s good to be one of them players again. I’ve always said I’m the guy that always gets ripped off and underrated and stuff like that.

“I think people are realising at the moment that I’m pretty decent at this game.”