STEPHEN BUNTING admitted he started CRYING on stage before his opening Premier League clash.
The World No.5 also believes more money will mean a bigger focus on mental health for darts players.
Stephen Bunting has revealed he cried before the start of his opening Premier League Darts gameSportsfile
Taylor LanningBunting revealed how seeing a sports psychologist reignited his career after feeling like he wanted to quit[/caption]
Taylor LanningThe 39-year-old visited the Men’s Shed in Govan, Glasgow[/caption]
Taylor LanningBunting paid tribute to the association that helps with community workshops[/caption]
Taylor LanningWorld No.5 also believes more money will mean a bigger focus on mental health of darts stars[/caption]
Stephen Bunting, 39, has previously revealed that seeing a sports psychologist turned his career around after feeling like he wanted to quit just six years ago.
On the first night in Belfast, he said: “It was very emotional. I expected it to be good but I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was.
“Just the whole crowd all supporting me and getting behind me. It welled me up when I got on stage and the tears started flowing.
“It has been a 10-year journey to get back into the Premier League, so there were a lot of emotions running high anyway and it just spilled over a bit.
“The nerves were still there in the game and unfortunately I didn’t get a win.
“Obviously the first week there were no expectations and it was just getting back into the big venues with big crowds and getting used to that again.
“Now that I have had that monkey off my back, I am just really looking forward to the next few weeks.”
‘The Bullet’ visited the Men’s Shed in Govan, Glasgow prior to his Premier League night at the OVO Hydro and paid tribute to the association that helps with community workshops.
He revealed: “It’s massive to be honest. I know single-handedly, I’ve been in the situation myself where you feel down in the dumps and you feel you can’t speak to people.
“Obviously having a centre like this (Men’s Shed) where people can come to and open up about anything really.
“Get involved with the sports like darts and pool, just take your mind off stuff, talk about stuff and open up.
“I think it’s really important to be able to do that and take that weight off your shoulders.
“I think different players deal with it in a different way. Look at Luke Littler the way he’s bounced on the scene. He doesn’t seem to have a care in the world at the minute.
“In the future, the money, it changes people. People who earn a lot of money become selfish.
“For me, regardless of how much money I win, it’s about trying to look after my family. I’ve got a great team behind me.
Help for mental health
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Shout (for support of all mental health) www.giveusashout.org/get-help/, text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
“It’s about pushing forward. I’ve not got many years left ahead of me in my career.
“While the money is there and while I’m playing well, I will take as much money as I can.”
Bunting also believes that teen sensation Littler will face his own challenges with a target on his back.
He added: “He gets a million questions a day from people saying ‘how good is he’. Obviously he’s 18 now, he’s a man now.
“He’s got to stand on his own two feet, he doesn’t need people behind him anymore. His darts will have to do the talking.
“He’s going to have ups and downs in his career, no doubt. He’s going to have doubters and he’s going to have believers.
“But if he keeps doing what he’s doing, I’m sure he’ll have a really successful career.”
Premier League Darts 2025: Dates and venues
Night 1 – Belfast: Humphries beat Dobey 6-1
Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday February 13
Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday February 20
Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday February 27
Night 5 – The Brighton Centre – Thursday March 6
Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday March 13
Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday March 20
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday March 27
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday April 3
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday April 10
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday April 17
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday May 29
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