NATHAN ASPINALL could have had a completely different career had he been a little bit taller.
The Stockport slinger has become one of the best darts players in the world since winning his first ranking PDC title back in 2018.
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But ‘The Asp’ was once a budding goalkeeper on the books at Stockport County and on the brink of joining Manchester United.
He told Sky Sports: “I got scouted to play at the Manchester United goalkeeping Academy, it was a feeder club for Manchester United and other clubs.”
Aspinall’s shotstopping ability also caught the eye of Scottish giants Rangers, although he snubbed their advances as his family didn’t fancy the move up north.
He continued: “I got offered contracts for Rangers when I was nine, I played for Stockport County and had trials with them.
“Football was the way I wanted to go. Every kid wants to be a footballer.
“It didn’t work out for me but I played at a semi-pro level and I’m now a professional darts player.
“If I was a little bit taller I could have made it. I got released because I was too small as a goalkeeper. I wasn’t tall enough.
“I met Edwin van der Sar a couple of weeks ago and now I realise why I didn’t make it, because he’s about 19ft.”
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Aspinall, 33, has no regrets about how his life panned out – especially as it’s allowed him to pursue a career he loves.
“I knew I was a good keeper,” he said. “And believed I was one of the best around at that time, but it just wasn’t to be.
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“Things happen for a reason and it probably worked out for the best in the long run.”
Aspinall will be back in action on Wednesday evening in the quarter-finals of the PDC Darts World Championships at Ally Pally.
The two-time semi-finalist faces a sizeable task to make it to the final four as he’ll lock horns with last year’s runner-up Luke Littler.
He said of his clash with ‘The Nuke’: “I appreciate what he has done for the game.
“What he has done for himself and his family. I think he’s a fantastic darts player.
“How he has handled himself at 17 with the media.
“I don’t think many men, full-grown adults, could do what he has done.
“I tip my hat to the guy…but I’m still going to smash him on New Year’s Day!”
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