Fen Regis Trophies caught up with Nicky Goodbrand, who told us she has gone on to win more darts trophies and found love thanks to our original interview!
We first interviewed Nicky in 2023, discussing her success on the online darts circuit and her desire to compete in PDC and WDF events. At the time, the Scottish mum explained, “I would need somebody to help start me up”.
Up stepped Richard Watson, who has experience in sports management, who read our interview and reached out to Nicky. Though the relationship began strictly as business, it wasn’t too long before Richard and Nicky found they had more than a love for darts in common.
“It was because of the article that I reached out to Nicky,” Richard told Fen Regis Trophies.
“First of all, as a manager, I wanted to look at her playing darts…and then. We eventually got together.
“I saw something in her right from the start that appealed to me. I didn’t know that we were going to fall for each other…that just happened through time.”
Nicky added: “He watched me playing on a stream in the GDL (Graded Online Darts League). Richard said he liked me and, basically, the rest is history!”
World Disability Darts Association
Since our last conversation with Nicky, it isn’t only love that has been successful for her. With Richard’s support, she has leapt into competing in World Disability Darts Association (WDDA) events. Nicky manages a condition called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), with symptoms causing pain all over the body.
“I got her involved with the WDDA,” said Richard. “Within a year-and-a-half, she is the world number one and Nicky has also won the European Championship!”
Nicky recently secured her spot in one of the organisation’s showpiece events, the World Matchplay final, which will be held at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The final, where she will play Kelly Devlin, will be streamed live by Sky Sports on 20 July and take place during the PDC event of the same name.
“I’ve only ever seen it on television,” Nicky said ahead of her first visit to the venue. “I will have a proper walk on, and there will be a PDC referee for the match.
“The final is between the first and second sessions of the day, so there will be a crowd and all the lights and heat on stage…you get your moment!”
WDF and PDC Ambitions
As well as competing on the WDDA circuit, Nicky holds ambitions of playing in the WDF and PDC’s mainstream tours – and she believes she wouldn’t just be making up the numbers.
“Lakeside is the goal,” Nicky said about aiming for the WDF World Championship. “I am also going to go and play the PDC Women’s Series next year.
“That is four tournaments over a weekend…it is £50 to enter each tournament and there is a lot of prize money on offer if you do well in the series.”
Having enjoyed great success and lifted numerous darts trophies, since our original conversation, Nicky is not done there and has her eyes set on achieving further glory. If all runs true to form, we look forward to our next interview with Nicky after she becomes world champion in 2027!
By Aaron Gratton
