"Obviously the bookies don't understand a lot about darts": Jonny Clayton hits out at bookmakers after making Premier League play-offs after rock bottom prediction

The smile is never far away from Jonny Clayton. Even as the pressure builds towards the Premier League Darts play-offs, the 51-year-old Welshman appears relaxed in the bowels of London’s O2 Arena. But behind that calm exterior is a player still burning with ambition and targeting a second Premier League title.

For the fourth time in his career, Clayton has reached Finals Night in the Premier League Darts. Despite bookmakers earlier in the season tipping him to finish bottom of the table, The Ferret is once again on the biggest stage in weekly darts.

“I can’t wait to be honest, like you just said, it’s my favourite tournament and to make the finals night once again, four times. So yeah, I’m really looking forward to it, there’s no feeling like standing there on the runway waiting to be called on. It’s fantastic, there’s no better feeling," he said to talkSPORT.

The Premier League remains a unique test. Sixteen weeks of travel, constant pressure, and weekly battles in packed arenas, all boiling down to four players at the O2. For Clayton, simply making it back to Finals Night is a validation in itself. “To finish second, only because I gave Luke Littler a chance,” Clayton joked.

When Clayton won the Premier League in 2021, it came in a very different environment due to Covid restrictions, with only a small crowd in Milton Keynes. This time, he has the chance to lift the trophy in front of a full O2 Arena.

“It was, it was in Covid, so I’d like to do it in front. But to lift that trophy in front of ten thousand, twelve thousand, it’s going to be special.”

That triumph remains one of the highlights of his career, but Clayton’s journey has another chapter he wants to write on Thursday night.

At the start of the season, some bookmakers and pundits tipped Clayton to finish bottom of the Premier League table. That prediction did not sit well with him.

“That hurt, like that really did hurt. When they said that I was favourite to finish bottom, obviously they don’t look at rankings, do they? They don’t look at history because…”

He added, “But at the end of the day, I was safe with four weeks to go, so I’ve done something right. Obviously the bookies don’t understand a lot about darts. I try very hard, it’s a million percent every time. It’s not for the lack of trying that I don’t win matches. It did hurt when they said I was favourite to finish bottom, but I proved them wrong.”

In the semi-final, Clayton faces Luke Humphries, who has regained strong form at the perfect time. “How can you write somebody like that off? He’s world number two. Every player has ups and downs, he just had a few off weeks, but when it mattered he switched it on again. That’s what top players do.”

Clayton remains confident, despite the challenge. “It’s all on the night. Rankings go out the window, it’s who wants it most. And I want this.”

A potential all-Welsh final with Gerwyn Price remains on the other side of the draw. “Two Welshmen in a final would be great, wouldn’t it? But we’ve got the world number one and two to beat first. It would be amazing for Wales, but I don’t really care who I play. I just want to win the trophy.”

Asked how he would celebrate victory, Clayton was typically light-hearted. “I think there’d be a few bars drying, because I’d be out celebrating definitely.”

Despite the immediate focus on Finals Night, Clayton is optimistic about the remainder of the season, including major tournaments and the World Cup of Darts, where he will partner Nick Kenny. “I’m playing well, I’ve got confidence and I’ve got a smile on my face. If my darts go, someone’s got a difficult job beating me. I’d love to pick up some silverware again this year.”

On Kenny, he added, “Nick is next in line and he’s a proud Welshman. He’ll wear the shirt with pride. I’ve played with him before and he plays with heart.”

Clayton even ended with a joke about Kenny’s football allegiance. “The only thing that lets him down is he’s a Chelsea supporter. But apart from that, he’s a great bloke.”

Once again, Clayton arrives at the O2 without fanfare but with belief. Often overlooked, rarely favoured, but still dangerous. And as he puts it simply ahead of another huge night in London, “I hope it’s my night.”