''Top four is a dream position to be in, but it is achievable''
JAMES WADE has set his sights on a Premier League return and a spot in the world’s elite.
‘The Machine’ is up to World No.5 after a blistering start to 2025, reaching the UK Open and World Matchplay finals.
Aldershot thrower Wade has featured in 12 Premier League campaigns, winning the title in 2009, with his most recent outing in 2022 seeing him finish third in the league phase before falling to Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals.
10-times major winner Wade is now desperate to force his way back into the non-ranked televised event.
He said: “Top four is a dream position to be in, but it is achievable. Staying in the top 10 is a hard job.
“I’d love the opportunity to be back in the Premier League but we’ll see what happens – I think I need to be in the top four to be in there.”
It’s a remarkable turnaround for Wade, who was languishing at World No.27 just over a year ago after a health scare during a Euro Tour event in Germany.
Wade was rushed to hospital after suffering from a racing heart, high blood pressure, nausea and dizziness.
He added: “It affected me physically and mentally more than I realised.
“People wrote me off. But I told Barry Hearn, ‘I will get back in the top 10’. The negativity spurred me on.”
The 42-year-old reflected on how far darts has come since his early days.
He revealed: “It wasn’t so long ago we played in smoky pubs and the winner got £2,500 – until Barry Hearn came along to reinvigorate the sport.
“It’s amazing how far the game has come, going from little pubs to darts around the world.
“I remember the first time playing at the O2 in front of 12,500 people – that was a magical moment.”
Wade will now turn his focus to the World Series Finals, where he faces World No.1 Luke Humphries in the opening round on Friday.