Premier League Darts chief Jonny Clayton admits concern regardless of ‘dream begin’
EXCLUSIVE: Jonny Clayton’s return to the Premier League has been a dream one so far as the Welshman tops the table after four weeks – but ‘the Ferret’ admitted he was concerned about his inclusion
Jonny Clayton has enjoyed a ‘dream’ start in the Premier League(Image: Getty Images)
Jonny Clayton tops the Premier League table heading into his home week five in Cardiff, but ‘The Ferret’ admitted that he wasn’t sure about his inclusion in the tournament.
The 2021 Premier League winner is in his first campaign back in the tournament since 2023 when he made the semi-final. Clayton has reached Finals Night at The O2 in his three previous years and the world No.5 has made a good start to ensure his 100 per cent record continues.
Clayton, who is an ambassador for leading darts manufacturer, Red Dragon, spoke exclusively to Daily Star Sport about the opening four weeks of the tournament that have seen him win in Glasgow and reach the semi-finals of the other three nights.
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“So far so good, to be honest, it’s a dream start,” Clayton said. “I’ve got experience in it from three previous times but I know what it’s all about. I know what you have to do. I’ve started off well, so hopefully it continues.
“The name of this game is to get points on the board. You pick up some points every Thursday, you’re doing the right job. I’ve obviously been there before, done it before, and like I just said, I know what it’s all about.
“My aim is to pick up a minimum of two points every week so anything after that two points is a plus, and it keeps you up at the top of the leader board, so I hope I can continue to do that.”
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Despite his fine start, Clayton’s place in the Premier League was not guaranteed due to his ranking outside the top four.
The Welshman’s spot looked nailed on for the first half of last year, but early exits in the European Championship, Grand Slam and Players Championship Finals left his position in doubt before he put together an impressive quarter-final run at Ally Pally.
He said: “I’d be a liar to say I wasn’t [worried] because obviously you don’t know what happens, especially in the World Championships, you know, like Gian Van Veen came from had a great World Championships and put him into third.
“Your place is never safe until they announce it on that day. So when they announced that I was in, I was so glad. There was a lot off my shoulders, as that’s where I wanted to be.
“I’ve moaned enough about not being in it because I thought I should have been in the last year, but I’m in now and I’m proving why I should be in it.”
Clayton returns to Premier League action on Thursday in his home night in Cardiff when he takes on Gian van Veen, who has finished runner-up in three of the first four nights so far this year.
