Lloyd reflects on decision to step away from darts in 2015: "When I used to walk into a darts venue I had a blazing fire in my belly, but it got to a point where it became a flickering match"
PDCThursday, 11 June 2020 at 09:00
Colin Lloyd stepped away from darts in 2015 with his only foray back into the sport being in 2018 when he attempted Q-School but in a recent interview, he detailed his decision to retire and how he didn't have the fire anymore to compete at the top level.
Lloyd also spoke about a conversation with one of his close friends and fellow former darts player, Wayne Mardle who openly told him he isn't good enough anymore and that helped to make up his mind.
"I always used to say to people when I used to walk into a darts venue I had a blazing fire in my belly, but it got to a point where it became a flickering match, because I knew I wasn't competing anymore," said Lloyd to Sky Sports.
"It honestly broke my heart, because I thought to myself, something I've dedicated my life to for so long, it is kicking me in the teeth. It wasn't the game that was doing it, it is time. I'd had my time.
"I was going to an exhibition with Wayne (Mardle) and his wife Donna. We have known each other since we were 13 or 14 year old kids. We were just chatting.
"Wayne just looked at me and went: 'Seriously mate, why are you putting yourself through it?' I said 'Do you know what, I still think I've got something to offer.'
"Because we were mates he said 'Mate, you're not good enough anymore. You're just not competing. It is time to move on mate. It's time to start doing something different.'
"The comment didn't hurt me, but the words did and I think it helped me more that it was someone like Wayne, someone who is a good friend, has been a good friend and still is.
"Sport doesn't stop - there's always someone younger and hungrier coming through. I thought to myself no disrespect to the young lads coming through, but I'm not going to be cannon-fodder for them."
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