EMOTIONAL Jonny Clayton considered quitting this year as he struggled to cope following the death of his dad. The Ferret – who turned 50 in October – advanced the hard way yesterday as he let slip a 3-0 lead before progressing 4-3 against determined Daryl Gurney.
![[Jonny Clayton has revealed how he almost quit darts following the death of his father]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jonny-clayton-wales-reacts-daryl-960107303.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Clayton, a strong contender to make the 2025 Premier League line-up, lost his father John – “my biggest fan” – in July 2023 on the eve of a flight Down Under. Over the past year-and-a-half, Clayton has lost his way, lost his motivation and almost gave up the sport for good.
The former plasterer admitted: “It was over. I won’t lie to you. I had no interest. “I didn’t want to play the game, I didn’t want to travel. It meant nothing to me. “The guys were all flying to Australia or New Zealand for events and I lost my dad the morning of that flight.
“Darts is my hobby. For some of these youngsters, it’s their job. This has always been my hobby. “When I lost my dad, it hurt. He was my inspiration to keep playing. I said: ‘That is it. I don’t want to do it any more.’ I couldn’t be bothered.
“But when you have family looking up at you, and have friends that believe in you, it means a lot. “I said to myself: ‘I would give it a chance.’ You are playing a hobby you are good at. Give it another go. That’s what I am trying to do. “At the beginning of the year, I was rubbish, I couldn’t put anything together.
