Stockport’s very own Nathan Aspinall thrashed world number seven Johnny Clayton to become the 2023 World Matchplay Darts title and lift just his second major title this past weekend.
The local lad dominated multi-title-winning Clayton by a whopping 18-6 margin in what was arguably the best performance of his career to date, checking out on a double-five and dropping to his knees in ecstasy the moment he landed it.
Following on from his maiden title in the 2019 UK Open and a win at the US Darts Masters in Las Vegas later that year, Aspinall has now won three televised titles and two PDC major events.
Here’s how he finally got his hands on his first-ever Phil Taylor Trophy:
The Stopfordian won 13 of the last 14 legs, including 11 in a row after having drawn the opening 10 sets 5-5 at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
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The 32-year-old also produced an electrifying 170-checkout in his sixth leg without reply, a visit that welcomed not only a rapturous response from the crowd but a congratulatory embrace from his Welsh opponent. A classy touch from a man ‘The Asp’ described as “a gentleman of the game”.
But that wasn’t it, he also managed a difficult 115 combination in leg 18. Absolutely massive. Even Clayton conceded on the night: “I cannot argue with the result. I was beaten by the better player, and what a fantastic guy he is.”
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He’s the moment he lifted the trophy and got the entire room bouncing to his trademark walk-on song, ‘Mr Brightside’ — a scene that somehow felt so quintessentially Manc.
Aspinall moved up four places to fifth in the PDC world rankings after clinching his second major and becoming just the 12th player to ever become World Matchplay champion.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, he said: “I’ve got no words. I don’t know what it was but I found it… “These things don’t happen very often, so I want to enjoy this moment!”
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“I scored brilliantly all game. I knew I had to get rid of my darts quicker. The people who come to Blackpool are diehard darts fans.”
Even prior to the tournament, he told Betfred, “I always believed I could reach the final and lift the trophy”, and that’s exactly what he did. Well in, ‘The Asp’, the future is looking brighter than ever!
Featured Image — Nathan Aspinall (via Instagram)/PDC Darts (via Twitter)
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Cole Palmer wins Premier League’s Young Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester-born and bred footballer, Cole Palmer, has won the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award for 2023/24 following a spectacular breakthrough campaign.
The ex-Manchester City youth product made his big-money move to Chelsea at the start of this season and has been comfortably one of the best players in the league this year, once again proving the old adage that if you’re good enough you’re old enough.
Sitting second in the race for the Golden Boot behind former teammate Erling Haaland and shining as one of the most creative midfielders in Europe in his first full season, you could have banked on him winning it months ago.
🔵⭐️ OFFICIAL: Cole Palmer wins the award as Premier League Young Player of the Year. 🧊
Chelsea star has scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists in Premier League this season. pic.twitter.com/HYpthQiOU3
Having bagged a hattrick in Chelsea’s remarkable turnaround against Manchester United as well as bagging four against Everton, just to name a couple of his most impressive performances over the past 12 months, he doesn’t like a player who only made a handful of appearances last year.
With the 22-year-old fittingly netting 22 goals not to mention 10 assists and quickly establishing himself as Mauricio Pochettino’s main man, despite the multi-billion squad assembled around him, it’s been nothing short of a remarkable emergence onto the biggest stage.
Having earned his first senior international call-up through his efforts too, he now looks set to be one the players England fans are dying to see start at the Euros – the point where many Blues are now wondering whether they made a mistake letting him go.
Congratulations to the Wythenshawe native on his well-deserved award and we sincerely look forward to seeing what he does in an England shirt this summer.
As for who will pick up the outright Premier League Player of the Year, surely Palmer picking up the youth award means that Phil Foden is set to mop up the main prize?
A clean sweep for Manc footballers. We like the sound of that.
Tom Aspinall vs Curtis Blaydes rematch confirmed as UFC’s main Manchester fight card is revealed
Danny Jones
Local fighter Tom Aspinall’s next opponent has finally been confirmed as the running order for the UFC’s return to Manchester has been revealed.
The Manc MMA star and interim heavyweight champion was always a certainty for his home event but with the main fight card for the UFC 304 at Co-op Live arena unveiled at last, we now know that the Salfordian will once again be facing off against Curtis Blaydes.
Not only will this be Aspinall‘s first title defence but it will also see the pair meet for the first time since their original 2022 bout was cut short just 15 seconds into the fight after the 31-year-old injured his knee and was unable to continue.
Civility aside, the two have had a score to settle ever since and judging by his reaction following the announcement, he’s clearly keen to finish what he started.
Now 14 wins into his career and with a belt to back it up, we’re expecting big things from the self-proclaimed ‘Honey Badger’ – especially with a name like that.
Fellow English fighters Leon Edwards and Scouse star Paddy Pimblett will all be joining Aspinall on the big night, showing just how much the UK MMA scene has grown.
Jamaican-born Brit Edwards, 32, is currently on a 13-fight unbeaten streak and will defend his welterweight title against American Belal Muhammad, who is also unbeaten in his last 10 fights.
Announcing the full 304 fight card on social media, UFC president Dana White described the Manchester crowds as “incredible” and there’s evident excitement around being the first sports event to grace the brand-new arena.
While there has been lots of criticism over the start times given that the fights will be taking place in the early hours for the benefit of American TV audiences, it’s still a huge deal to have the UFC coming back to 0161, especially with a Manchester native flying high at the top of the heavyweight division.
Not only is this the first time the franchise has been back to the city since 2016 but it’s also only the fourth time an event will have been held in the UK full stop.
Getting underway on Saturday, 27 July, Aspinall vs Blaydes II fight date is set to start at 3am local time and fans will be able to watch it live on TNT Sport.
As for those of you looking to go along and see the action in person, you can queue up to get your tickets HERE.