TOP darts player Matt ‘Superman’ Clark admits he is on the verge of leaving the oche for good.

The Walkden-based thrower, who is ranked 39th on the PDC circuit, is searching for a sponsor after a nightmare year which has taken a heavy toll on his form.

Clark, aged 42, went out of last week’s UK Open with defeat in his opening game, and says the financial pressure of touring round the UK, Europe and the US has forced him to question his future in the sport.

“The last six months has been strange,” he told The Bolton News. “My mum died last year and that took its toll emotionally. I lost my job and consequently my sponsor, so things have been very tough.

“My form has been very up and down – but my problem is that I keep beating ex-world champions, or hitting nine-darters. That shows I have still got it in me, and that I’m not that far off the pace.

“Realistically, though, unless something drastic happens, I’ll admit I’m on the verge of calling it a day.”

Clark has started a new business supplying darts equipment but needs financial backing to fulfil his aim of making the World Matchplay in Blackpool at the end of July.

He currently competes at the Top Bull in Breightmet, in the Astley Bridge Darts League, and despite his indifferent results has featured consistently among the top 40 players on the circuit.

The former Canadian and Holland Open champion will compete at the Players Championship in Barnsley this weekend before taking part in another ranking event in Holland.

“After that there are a group of events over in Las Vegas – and that’s where it really starts hitting your credit card,” Clark said.

“The Top Bull have been excellent with me, providing bits and pieces, but I do need to sort out something more permanent.

“Blackpool is the aim for me now. And if I don’t make that, I can see me taking a few months out to sort out a sponsor.”

Anyone willing to help Clark with sponsorship can contact him on matt_superman_clark@msn.com