Clayton: Becoming full-time darts player was the 'right decision'

The Welshman previously worked as a plasterer for Carmarthenshire County Council but gave up the role in June last year due to his increasing darts schedule.

The decision came after an impressive 2021 season for 'The Ferret', who won the Premier League, World Grand Prix, Masters and the World Series of Darts Finals.

However, things have not been as rosy for Clayton having not won a major title since then, although a slow start to 2023 has turned around recently after winning back-to-back nights in the Premier League.

And almost one year on from committing himself to the PDC circuit, the current world number seven insists his decision to leave his day job behind was the correct one.

"The last year I was often on unpaid leave," Clayton told The Weekly Dartscast. "So basically I wasn't in at all for that 12 months and I had the choice of either staying with the council or trying to progress with my darts. Obviously, darts came first.

"It was difficult to say goodbye, I'd been there 27 years," he added. "I do miss the banter with all the lads, I don't see as many faces as what I did knocking on doors and doing jobs for people. It's weird, it's a 100mph lifestyle in work then all of a sudden it's nothing. Just looking at the M4 every week.

"It's different, but I think I've done the right decision."

Clayton's recent pair of Premier League victories have lifted him into fourth place in the table just one point behind World Championship winner Michael Smith and two ahead of Nathan Aspinall.

The 48-year-old will be back in action for Night 12 in Rotterdam on Thursday evening, where he will look to navigate a first hurdle in Chris Dobey.