Nigel Pearson: My life and future in darts

My career advisor from the old days at Kingswinford School was always under the impression I wanted to join the police or become a PE teacher.

And even as I went into my A-levels at Dudley College, I genuinely had no realistic target in terms of what to do for a career.

However, I'd always enjoyed watching the likes of Eric Bristow, Keith Deller (more on them later), Jocky Wilson, Bobby George and John Lowe back in the day.

Smoky rooms, but proper theatre which made great TV when I was a teenager. And you couldn't beat a bit of bully on a Sunday night with Jim Bowen, either.

Here we are, buzzing about the prospect of the Singha Beer Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton – one of my favourite tournaments and not just because it's local!

Since I joined the Sky Darts team in 2006 at the World Championship (the last one held at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet before the switch to Ally Pally), I've been fortunate to work with two generations of broadcasters on the team.

The formidable triple spearhead of Sid Waddell (much missed and loved), John Gwynne and Dave Lanning were alongside Stuart Pyke when I started.

Sadly Sid became unwell and, around the same time, John and Dave decided to hang up the Sky mic, which brought about a transitional period (listen to me pinching Brendan Rodgers' best lines.)

It was a huge honour to work with Sid. I remember a Premier League night at Wolves Civic when a player missed 'the red bit' and he said 'that was half-way to Cradley Heath!' Pure brilliance.

Today we are joined by the charismatic Wayne 'Hawaii 501' Mardle, who is excellent both in front of camera and in the commentary box. He's also one of the best exhibition players on the circuit.

Rod Studd has a wealth of knowledge within the sport and is a vastly experienced broadcaster.

We have many parallels in the way our respective careers have developed, along with Pykey, ultimately working together on the arrows!

I'd heard John Part's work on the BBC at the BDO tournament and what a legendary player he's been – you don't win three world titles by fluke!

And Rod Harrington is never short of a story or two. Great talker with his finger very much on the pulse of the modern game.

But back to Bristow and Deller. If you watch the Darts and think us non-Darts players are quick and talented at calling what a player needs – here's a secret.

Both Eric and Keith are on spotters duty in the OB truck with a microphone telling us commentators and cameramen the best way – or the most likely way – a player will go. They are amazing.

Darts is on a high with massive TV viewing figures – but the majority of people within the game are still down to earth, genuine characters.

My football work takes me around the Premier League and Championship where it's impossible to strike up any kind of relationship with players or managers.

In darts it's different. When we gather socially, like over Christmas when we are in Muswell Hill for the World Championships, it's great fun.

Eric Bristow, one of the biggest celebrities the game has seen, is simply down to earth and great company. And the players, too.

Sometimes they don't like what we say, but the way I see it is people like myself, Pyke and Studd are there to describe the action.

Then you have guys like Mardle, John Part and Rod Harrington throwing in expert analysis and opinion.

If you're not at the Civic this week, tune in. You might even hear Bristow in the commentary box and when he speaks, you listen!

Now, back to the careers officer at Penzer (another name for Kingswinford School). Policeman? PE Teacher? No thanks.

I'll stick to the darts, speedway and football if that's alright with you!