Premier League: Stephen Bunting says he earned the right to compete with the best
Monday 5 January 2015 16:59, UK
Stephen Bunting believes he belongs with the world’s best darts players after being included in this year’s Premier League.
The 29-year-old St Helens man has made a meteoric rise as he progressed to the PDC World Championship quarter-finals, less than a year after winning the BDO final at Lakeside.
There were emotional scenes when he exited the tournament against Raymond van Barneveld, with the Dutchman imploring organisers to include his beaten opponent in the Premier League.
Bunting was reduced to tears by the praise he received from ‘Barney’, but his selection hopes were granted when Barry Hearn revealed the final line-up after Gary Anderson defeated Phil Taylor in Sunday’s thrilling World Championship final.
“When Barney said that, it sort of sunk in that I do belong with the big names,” he told Sky Sports.
“It’s such a nice feeling within 11 months to have come over to the PDC and be in the Premier League, it’s just fantastic really.
“It’s still not sunk in, but I’m very happy to be in it and I’m looking forward to several of the big clashes.
“At some time I’ve played a few of them on TV anyway so there’s no fear, just hope really. I can’t wait for it to get going.”
Inspiration
His burning desire to face the sport’s biggest stars was behind his decision to join the PDC, shortly after winning the BDO crown.
He took inspiration from the likes of Van Barneveld, who also made a successful switch, and was moved by his words of support.
“It was really emotional to be honest," said Bunting. "I was fine after the defeat and obviously Raymond played a fantastic game, but as soon as he took the mic and started saying all those wonderful words about me, it just got me a bit emotional.
I always said when they invented the Premier League that I would love to play in front of all of the fans from Liverpool and I don’t think anything is going to eclipse that for me.
“It just goes to show that I made the right decision after Lakeside. The only way is up really.
“He said everything fantastically. The crowd were all cheering my name after the speech and he’s been a big part of my life, watching darts over the years. For someone like that – a five-times world champion – to say all that nice stuff, it’s incredible really.”
Bunting ousted a despondent James Wade in the second round, but raised his standards even higher while defeating fellow Merseysider Michael Smith.
“I’ve played James a few times and I’ve not really played my best game against him," he said. "I’ve beat him the last four times I think, the last three on TV.
“I know he was a bit upset after the loss, but he’s got to remember that I’m here to stay for the forthcoming future. I’m not scared of anyone in the league or in the PDC. I know that I’ve got the game to beat anybody. It’s just about taking my game up there and showing it to the fans.”
Local support
The Premier League schedule will take Bunting to the Echo Arena in Liverpool next month and he cannot wait to play in front of his local support.
He said: “I always said when they invented the Premier League that I would love to play in front of all of the fans from Liverpool and I don’t think anything is going to eclipse that for me.
“It’s going to be bigger than a world championship final, playing in front of all my fans in Liverpool. It’s going to be an electric crowd. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Bunting's entrance to the arena was heralded by the theme tune to cartoon show ‘Family Guy’ due to his likeness to the main character, Peter Griffin.
He will keep this music for the coming season and admits there could be more tears in the future.
“If I win the Premier League, I’ll definitely be crying, 100 per cent," he said. "I think any title gets me emotional, the Premier League or the World Championship; there will definitely be emotion there.”
Stephen Bunting uses Target Darts. For more information, go to target-darts.co.uk.
