Darts chief Barry Hearn called out as star forced to quit his job after 'spanner in the works'
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Mickey Mansell has revealed his frustration with Matchroom chief Barry Hearn after losing work due to a PDC schedule change.
Mansell has been a professional darts player for nearly two decades and has enjoyed a steady career that has seen him compete in seven PDC World Championships.
But the 51-year-old pulled off a career-first last week when he reached the semi-final of the Grand Slam of Darts.
It was the first time in Mansell's career he managed to reach the final four of a major event and earned a healthy £53,500 for his achievement.
Barry Hearn has come under criticism
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He ended up losing 16-12 to Martin Lukeman, who suffered a comprehensive defeat to Luke Littler in the final.
For Mansell, it's the biggest lump sum he's ever earned from a single tournament and it seemingly helps him recover what he describes as lost income due to a change on the PDC Pro Tour.
The schedule for the PDC Pro Tour has seen all floor tournaments moved to during the week as opposed to the previous format of being held at weekends.
Mansell is one of several professional players who holds a day job alongside their darts careers to help keep them afloat.
And the 'Clonoe Cyclone' has been left frustrated at the change in schedule as he's been left out of pocket.
"I work during the week, I'm a joiner," he told Sportsboom.
"Barry threw a spanner in the works moving everything into the middle of the week.
"I used to work in the week, but now I'm trying to cover the costs when I have to play in the week.
Mickey Mansell was forced to miss out on work
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"There was an income always coming in, when I could always work in the week, but now on those Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays, if I don't win, there's no income.
"I'm playing to try and cover what I'm missing out on."
Mansell's performance at the Grand Slam of Darts saw him rocket up to 43rd in the PDC Order of Merit with earnings of £145,750 over the past two years.
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Mickey Mansell pocketed £53,000 for reaching the Grand Slam of Darts semi-final
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He added: "I'm working as a joiner; you know what I mean?
"Last week I was laying floors, you know what I mean? It's a massive amount of money to me."
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