Jonny Clayton has launched a passionate defence of fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price, calling him "one of the best dart players that has ever lived." Speaking ahead of the 2026 Premier League Darts visit to Cardiff, Clayton highlighted Price's achievements, stating, "He has won nearly everything." He also praised Price's all-around game, noting, "He has got everything — his power scoring and finishing. He is definitely coming back to where he was three years ago at the Worlds." Clayton linked Price's intensity to his rugby background, recalling a quote: "On the rugby field I want to rip somebody's head off." He added, "There are no friends on the oche. I get that, and that is what you see out of Gezzy Price."
Clayton expressed bafflement at the boos Price sometimes receives, saying, "I don't get how people boo him. He just goes out and plays the game as hard as he can." He further emphasized his pride in their partnership, stating, "I can't see why people dislike him. He is very good. I am proud to be a part of the Welsh World Cup team with him." Price and Clayton have won multiple World Cup of Darts for Wales.
Looking ahead to the Cardiff night, Clayton is considering a change to his walk-on music. He admitted that using "Delilah" previously had mixed results: "I tried Delilah the first time I was there, and it came off good. But it didn't go as well the second time." He is open to alternatives, playfully reacting to the suggestion of "Sex Bomb" by saying, "Definitely! I've not really thought of it. But being a part of Cardiff, being Welsh, it is the best one for us." He recalled Joe Cullen's positive reaction from a past Cardiff event: "I remember I played Joe Cullen in his first year in the Premier League, and it was in Cardiff. He said, 'This is my favourite of all.' He loved it." Clayton believes the atmosphere will be electric with two Welshmen in the field, adding, "The banter and the atmosphere are going to be crazy. To have two Welshmen in the Premier League, it will be a good night there."
At 51, Clayton has also reflected on his future in darts, aiming to retire on his own terms. He said, "I don't know, as in time-wise. Hopefully, as long as I want, and not to be knocked out of it by going down the rankings and falling out of the top 64." He wants to avoid returning to Q-School, stating, "I don't want to go back to Q-School, and I've done it once." Clayton hopes to decide his exit, explaining, "So hopefully it will be my decision to quit darts rather than fail in the game and lose my Tour Card." He sketched a rough timeline, saying, "Hopefully, I have another five or six years in the game. I'm looking at maybe the 57 or 58 mark, then I will seriously start thinking about it."
