ANDREW GILDING admitted gaining nearly TWO STONE may have helped him end a 15-YEAR wait for a Players Championship win.
The World No27 defeated Jonny Clayton 8-3 in the final in Leicester to seal glory on the floor for the first time in his career and pick up the £15,000 top prize.
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Andrew Gilding has admitted gaining two stone has helped him get back to winning ways Credit: Getty
The former butcher turned darts star won his first Players Championship title Credit: Dave Allen
Goldfinger’s previous senior PDC title came with his stunning UK Open triumph in 2023.
The ex-butcher and factory worker lived in a one-bedroom flat at the time but planned to buy his own home with the £110,000 prize money.
He admits to being a recluse before darting stardom and played guitar in a church band.
After finally getting over the line in a ProTour, Gilding admitted it had been a long time coming.
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Gilding, 55, said: “Oh man I have been waiting for this for a long while. I remember playing Gary Anderson many years ago [in a final].
“He had a 112 average and I had 107 or something like that. Finally got over the line.
“I don’t know what’s changed really. I have managed to keep my practice up.
“I’ve put on a bit of weight. I thought the weight loss helped me win the UK Open but I’ve put on like nearly two stone since that.
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“Your form dips, your form rises; You’ve just got to be patient.
“I’ve had such a good start to the season now I have more or less qualified for everything. I just have to keep that up.
“I need to make sure I don’t drop down the rankings and I get into the Matchplay again and the European Championship.”
Gilding averaged a superb 103.82 in a 6-2 quarter-final victory over Joe Hunt before beating veteran Ian White 7-5 in the semi-finals.
Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen crashed out in the first round after a shock 6-3 defeat to Challenge Tour leader Hunt.
Beau Greaves exited in round two following a 6-3 loss to Stephen Bunting.
Raymond van Barneveld endured another miserable outing as he was whitewashed 6-0 by Karel Sedlacek in the opening round after averaging just 77.
