"Only person watching that game hoping he didn't hit one": Dean Winstanley was desperate for no second Van Gerwen nine-darter to keep £15,000 bonus
PDC
Dean Winstanley's main moment to be remembered was his memorable nine-dart finish at the 2013 PDC World Darts Championship. In the same Ally Pally as Michael van Gerwen produced his near 18 perfect darts.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking about his memorable moment, he admitted he was the only one who hoped Van Gerwen would not go back-to-back to keep his bonus.
“I was on £15,000 bonus when I hit it, and then Van Gerwen hit his about three days later,” Winstanley told Daily Star Sport. “We split it £7,500 each, but if his D12 went in back-to-back, I would have been on a third [of the prize money].
“I was the only person watching that game hoping he didn't hit one, let alone two! I can remember putting something on Twitter about leaving my nine alone.
“There were a couple of back-to-back 180s earlier in the tournament, but they missed the seventh treble. Van Gerwen went and hit it. I did congratulate him. £7,500 is better than having nothing, and you've got to be thankful for that.”
“I'm glad I hit it because it went into the darts hall of fame, I was the third person and the fourth nine-darter at the worlds,” he added. “Everyone loves the bravado and persona about it, me running like a complete lunatic.
"There were no nerves while I was hitting it. I used to use a referee's mistake to my advantage, so when the game is over I could go 'aha, I've got you'.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It was Bruce Spendley. He wasn't quick enough the leg before to tell Vincent you need 144. I thought 'aha, I've got you'. That was in my head. I hit the 180. If you watch the video, I nod towards Bruce.
"I hit the next 180, and thought 'you're not going to get it'. But then my right leg knew the D12 was in before my head. It was completely bonkers. It hit every news channel, which I thought was bonkers.”
It's been a different life since though for Winstanley who now has a new career running a haulage company and has gone all around the world after 'Over the Top' ended his stint at the top and while he harbours ambitions still to play the World Seniors is more likely than PDC.
"I'd already done my Class 2 and Class 1, and I was driving power tanks for three years," he said. "But I wanted to do this transport game on my own and see if I can make it.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I started with a small truck and a trailer. One of my darts sponsors, Pro Liquid, we kept a good relationship and they rung and asked about what I was doing.
"I went over and had a chat with them, they sort liquid cargo handling, and they asked if I wanted to do the transport for them with a bigger truck and move all the gear around Europe.
"I did a lot of research and realised it would cost about £70,000 just to start small. I give it a go, and was asked by Pro Liquid if I wanted to work on the ship.
"Three years later and I run ships all over the world. I've been to Texas, been to Thailand, 350 miles in sea, had to get helicoptered out. I can run all the ships and pump the gear off when the ships can't do it."
"I won't go back to Q-School. But my goal is when I'm 49, put a bit of work in. My goal is to spend six to eight months to get everything right and I want play seniors.
ADVERTISEMENT
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
claps 5visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
