Jonny Clayton has hit out at bookmakers who tipped him to finish bottom of the Premier League Darts table earlier this season, after the 51-year-old Welshman secured his place in the play-offs for the fourth time in his career. Speaking ahead of Finals Night at London’s O2 Arena, Clayton did not hide his frustration at being written off. “That hurt, like that really did hurt. When they said I was favourite to finish bottom, obviously they don’t look at rankings, do they? They don’t look at history because… But at the end of the day, I was safe with four weeks to go, so I’ve done something right. Obviously the bookies don’t understand a lot about darts,” he told talkSPORT.
Clayton, who won the Premier League in 2021 during the Covid era in front of a small crowd in Milton Keynes, now has the chance to lift the trophy in front of a full house. “It was in Covid, so I’d like to do it in front. But to lift that trophy in front of ten thousand, twelve thousand, it’s going to be special,” he said. Reflecting on his journey to the play-offs, Clayton added: “I can’t wait to be honest, like you just said, it’s my favourite tournament and to make the finals night once again, four times. So yeah, I’m really looking forward to it, there’s no feeling like standing there on the runway waiting to be called on. It’s fantastic, there’s no better feeling.”
In the semi-final, Clayton faces world number two Luke Humphries, who has regained strong form at the perfect time. “How can you write somebody like that off? He’s world number two. Every player has ups and downs, he just had a few off weeks, but when it mattered he switched it on again. That’s what top players do,” Clayton said. Despite the challenge, he remains confident: “It’s all on the night. Rankings go out the window, it’s who wants it most. And I want this.” A potential all-Welsh final with Gerwyn Price is on the other side of the draw, and Clayton admitted: “Two Welshmen in a final would be great, wouldn’t it? But we’ve got the world number one and two to beat first. It would be amazing for Wales, but I don’t really care who I play. I just want to win the trophy.”
Looking beyond Finals Night, Clayton is optimistic about the rest of the season, including the World Cup of Darts where he will partner Nick Kenny. “I’m playing well, I’ve got confidence and I’ve got a smile on my face. If my darts go, someone’s got a difficult job beating me. I’d love to pick up some silverware again this year,” he said. On Kenny, he added: “Nick is next in line and he’s a proud Welshman. He’ll wear the shirt with pride. I’ve played with him before and he plays with heart.” Clayton even joked about Kenny’s football allegiance: “The only thing that lets him down is he’s a Chelsea supporter. But apart from that, he’s a great bloke.” Asked how he would celebrate victory, Clayton was typically light-hearted: “I think there’d be a few bars drying, because I’d be out celebrating definitely.”
