A former Premier League darts player hasn’t ruled out returning to the PDC after a lengthy absence away.
He was one of the best players in the world at the time but rapidly fell down the rankings due to a shoulder injury that occurred during his second Premier League stint in 2014.
He was up against some of the best dart players to ever pick up a dart, including Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor.
His injury caused him to drop off the PDC tour in 2018, and he has since played in the BDO, WDF, and Modus Super Series.
Wes Newton is trying to find enjoyment in darts again
With his shoulder fully recovered, Wes Newton hopes to enjoy playing the game again.
Darts is a difficult sport at the best of times, and the Blackpool-born star has returned to basics to rediscover his passion following his injury.
A return to the PDC has yet to be ruled out, but Newton told the Mirror that he is reigniting his passion for playing by participating at a local level and in the amateur scene.
“Halfway through my second year in the Premier League [in 2014] I picked up a shoulder injury,” he recalls. “There was nothing in particular that caused it, I just woke up one morning and it was there.
“I would still like to play at a higher level but over the last year or so I made the decision to take a step back and only play local stuff. When it became a job, and you go through the struggles and everything, it’s hard to still enjoy it.
“Now that’s been and done and I’ve been back working again for four years, it’s starting to come back. I’m playing for the enjoyment again. If my game comes back, I will start trying the higher-level tournaments again and getting back into something.
“I know it’s going to be difficult with how good some of the players are these days, but you never know. Never say never.”
Wes Newton thinks he’s underachieved
It is no surprise that Newton believes he’s underachieved, considering his injury which came out of nowhere.
Dubbed ‘The Warrior’, Newton reached two TV finals, finishing runners-up to James Wade and Simon Whitlock at the 2011 UK Open and 2012 European Championship, respectively.
Newton was a staple name in the world’s elite despite being unable to win a major televised tournament.
“I’m proud of what I achieved,” Newton revealed. “But there’s also a bit of feeling that I should have done more.
“When I had my purple patch, I was really up there. I should have won more than I actually did. There was one spell where I lost three quarter finals in four years at the worlds, and they all went 5-4.
“They were all really close games, and, in my heart, I think I probably should have won all of them. There’s always a bit of feeling that I should have done more but I’m still so proud of what I achieved.”