Bradford darts player Joe Cullen says a better mindset equals better results

Cullen produced the finest performance so far in the Professional Darts Corporation’s ‘at home’ competition, sweeping through his group with a tournament-best average of 106.65.

The Bradford ace, ranked 16 in the world, defeated Keegan Brown 5-2, Gerwyn Price 5-3 and Bradley Brooks 5-0, confirming his place in the last 32 before the final match was played.

Despite a reputation as one of the most natural talents on the PDC circuit, Cullen has frequently under-performed, winning only three ranking titles and reaching one major semi-final, but his display this week was an indication of what he could do if he gets his game together on a consistent basis.

Cullen, who describes himself as “pretty lazy”, believes he is a match for anybody in the sport in terms of talent, but admitted his mental approach sometimes lets him down.

“It’s the mindset,” insisted the 30-year-old, known as Rockstar.

“I knew it before the lockdown, I need to improve my mindset to an elite mindset.

“A couple of years ago I got to the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay and the semis of the Euros and I think I sort of just rested on my laurels.

“I was thinking ‘I’ve done all right now, that will do us’.

“Obviously the money pays well, but the big, big guns don’t think like that.

“Like [Michael] Van Gerwen, I think he celebrated his World Championship for less than an evening; he just could not wait to win again and again and again.

“I think that’s where I lack a little bit, the mindset, but I am trying to put it right.”

Cullen’s stunning performance came a year to the day after he scored a hat-trick at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground, playing alongside Noel Whelan in a sponsors’ game.

His cousin Karl Boyes is a former pool world champion and Cullen admitted he needs to focus all his energy on darts if he is going to crack the top-10.

“Prior to lockdown I’d practice darts in the morning and snooker in the afternoon,” he revealed. “The greatest don’t do that; they are constantly dedicated to one sport, but I love all sports. I need to get that this is where my bread and butter is and this is where I need to concentrate all my efforts.”

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor