Nathan Aspinall has spoken candidly about his frustration after being left out of the Premier League Darts line-up, admitting he felt strongly that at least two of the selected players did not deserve their places ahead of him.
The former major champion was one of the most high-profile omissions when the eight-man field for the new Premier League season was confirmed. While the top players on the Order of Merit secured automatic qualification, the remaining wildcard selections sparked debate, with Aspinall believing his performances over the past year stacked up favourably against some of those chosen.
Reflecting on the decision, Aspinall did not hide his disappointment. He revealed that he genuinely expected to be included and felt his consistency and results justified a spot in the competition. “I honestly thought I’d done enough,” he said, adding that when he compared his season to others in the line-up, there were “a couple of players who haven’t had the year I’ve had.”
Aspinall went a step further by suggesting that changes should be made to the Premier League format, arguing that players who underperform across a season should be replaced. He questioned why competitors with limited recent success should continue to receive opportunities, stating bluntly that if players are “not performing, they shouldn’t be there.” His comments quickly ignited discussion among fans, many of whom agreed the Premier League should reward current form rather than reputation alone.
The emotional weight of the omission was heightened by how Aspinall discovered the news. He revealed that he was travelling alongside Stephen Bunting when the final selections were confirmed. While Bunting received confirmation that he had been included, Aspinall received the opposite message. “That was tough,” he admitted, describing the journey home as awkward and difficult to process.
Despite his frustration, Aspinall was careful not to let emotions spill over publicly. He explained that he deliberately avoided posting on social media immediately after the announcement, knowing that any reaction could be misinterpreted. “I didn’t want to say something I’d regret,” he said, choosing instead to take time to reflect before speaking openly.
The Stockport star also acknowledged that Premier League selection is never straightforward. He accepted that difficult decisions must be made and admitted that in previous years he may have benefited from similar judgment calls. Still, he insisted that the current situation felt different, particularly given how much effort he has put into rebuilding his form following injury struggles in recent seasons.
Aspinall spoke passionately about what the Premier League means to him, describing it as one of the highlights of the darts calendar. The weekly format, packed arenas, and elite-level competition make it a unique challenge that he believes brings out the best in players. Missing out, he said, feels like losing a major opportunity rather than simply skipping another tournament.
Rather than allowing the setback to derail his season, Aspinall has already set his sights on a response. He made it clear that his focus is now firmly on ranking events, with the aim of forcing his way back into contention through results alone. “The only thing I can do is win games and make it impossible to leave me out,” he said.
His comments have added fuel to an ongoing debate about how Premier League places should be allocated. With emerging stars pushing for recognition and established names holding on to reputations built in previous seasons, the balance between form, ranking, and entertainment value remains contentious.
For Aspinall, however, the message is clear. The omission has stung, but it has also sharpened his motivation. If his determination translates into performances on the big stage, the conversation around who truly deserves a Premier League place may look very different next season.
Leave a Reply