Paul Nicholson is known as a former major champion and one of the real characters of the oche in the modern era of darts but how did he get started.

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."

Next step

"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."

https://twitter.com/SportingLife/status/1270426542460502016

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