"I’ll keep playing until they carry me off stage": Trina Gulliver refuses to quit despite Lakeside heartbreak

With ten world titles to her name, Trina Gulliver remains one of the most iconic figures in women’s darts. Despite a career filled with triumphs, she’s also faced personal battles — and come out stronger. Today, she radiates resilience and positivity, determined to help women’s darts reach new heights.

Even after decades at the top, Gulliver continues to push herself. Speaking to Online Darts, she admitted: “It could be better — always trying to improve — but it’s okay. It’s getting there. I had that time out, obviously, and it’s slowly coming back.”

Asked how she might rediscover the level that made her the sport’s “Golden Girl,” she smiled: “I wish I knew! I’m trying my best, but it is hard to get that form back. I’m doing everything I can, but it’s something I haven’t quite reached yet.”

Gulliver has been candid about her struggles away from the oche, including her battle with alcoholism.

“I’m coming up to six years sober now,” she revealed. “When I hit rock bottom, I didn’t think I’d ever play darts again. Back then it was very raw, and I didn’t know if I could be in that sort of atmosphere or cope with it. But I have — I’ve had a lot of counselling, and I still do. I reached out, got help, and continue to get that help. Without my family, my wife Nicole, and my friends, I couldn’t have done it.”

Her return to the circuit is testament to her mental strength. “It does take strength,” she said. “Darts has been a massive part of my life, and for me not to be doing it feels strange. But if it ever became a problem again — being in this kind of environment — I’d step away from the game.”

Gulliver remains active across multiple tours but has chosen to stay closer to home. “I’m doing the WADC and the PDC Women’s Series at the moment. I haven’t done any WDF events yet, just because I’ve been so busy with everything else. I don’t think I’d travel all over the world again like before — that could open up a can of worms. So I’m focusing mainly on events in the UK, with maybe the odd one or two in Europe.”

She still dreams of returning to the big stage. “I’d love to be able to get there,” she said of the PDC Women’s World Matchplay. “I came close the other year, but not quite. I was miles off this time! But we’ll see how it goes — take it as it comes.”

And for her, the Women’s World Matchplay has become the pinnacle of the women’s game: “It’s right up there. To play on that stage — it’s massive, and the atmosphere is incredible. It’s definitely at the top of the tree now.”

Women’s darts is thriving like never before, and Gulliver is full of admiration for the new generation — particularly teenage star Beau Greaves. “She’s amazing. She’s the one to beat right now, and I think playing in the PDC World Championship is the right move for her. Everyone will have their opinions, but I think it’s a good step — and she’ll surprise a few people. Some players won’t want to draw her!”

Reflecting on her own record-breaking achievements, Gulliver added: “Seven on the bounce was great, and to get my tenth — my last one in 2016 — that was a surprise, to be honest. I never thought that one was coming. Two digits though, that’s nice! Records are made to be broken, and if she did that, fair play to her.”

For Gulliver, Greaves’ rise proves that women can compete at the highest level: “It’s definitely possible, but you’ve got to remember Beau’s extraordinary. There aren’t 64 Beau Greaves out there to fill a tournament. She’s phenomenal, and she’ll be the player to beat for a long time.”

But it’s not just Greaves impressing. “The women’s game is in a brilliant place,” Gulliver said. “It’s growing fast, and there’s so much talent coming through — Paige Pauling, Sophie McKinlay, Fallon Sherrock, Lisa Ashton. It’s strong right now, and we need to build on that and get the best out of it we can.”

Some critics on social media argue not enough is being done for the women’s game — but Gulliver disagrees.

“I think the PDC’s done us proud, to be fair,” she said. “There’s far more done now than there was back in my day. We’ve got more choice — the WADC, the PDC Women’s Series — and that can only be good for the sport.”

She also sees huge value in women leading their own organisations. “It’s really important,” she said. “We deserve our own setup, something separate that’s tailored to us. It builds a bridge between the amateur and professional levels too — giving pub players a clear path forward. It’s a great step.”

As for what her perfect final chapter might look like, Gulliver didn’t hesitate: “I think a crack at the Matchplay would be great. That’s the one I’d like to do next.”

And whatever comes next, the Golden Girl’s love for the sport remains undimmed. “Darts has been a massive part of my life,” she said. “I’m just happy I can contribute to the women’s game and watch this new generation come through. It’s fantastic to see where it’s going.”