Nicholson spoke on Sporting Life recently in the first part of a series recounting his route into darts; as well as how a white lie began it all.

"I was a good dart player in my early teens. In Northumberland back in 1995, there was nothing in terms of a youth system; there was no way of getting into the game unless you were 18 years or older," said 'The Asset'.

"I somewhat covertly went to the Coronation Club in Blyth as a 16 year old and told them I was 18 and they believed me. I said I want to be on your darts team; I think I'm pretty good. Their captain said have a little bit of a trial lets see what you've got."

"I played over the course of an hour, hour and a half with a couple of friends accompanying me there and he said you're definitely good enough; why don't you join the team come and see me next week. So I ended up playing for the team as a 16-year old kid; I gave them a fake name because I didn't want to find out who I really was.

I was in the team for 5/6 weeks until they found out I was underage. At which point I was told I shouldn't be part of the team and I left."

"I started playing Friday night league and Monday league. I started to meet some other people I consequently met a gentleman called Terry Allen; who would become a very good friend of mine. He recruited me for the Tuesday league.

First year I played it 301 double start, it was ruthless stuff. I really started to make a name for myself; by being one of the better players in the league.

Playing for these different teams and playing multiple nights a week, I started to get some really good experience but it was at this point where I started to take the next step."

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