WAYNE JONES is hoping to delight the Wolverhampton crowd in November after qualifying for the Grand Slam of Darts.
Jones reached his first major PDC final on Sunday when he won through to the decider at the PartyPoker.net European Championship, where he lost to Phil Taylor.
The run followed a quarter-final appearance a week earlier in the StanJames.com World Matchplay, and on top of a £20,000 runner-up prize he will also be invited to play in the Grand Slam of Darts, which will be held at the Wolves Civic from November 13-21
Jones previously competed in the inaugural Grand Slam in 2007, losing two of his three matches in the round robin group phase which kicks off the tournament.
However, he will be the crowd favourite in his home town in this year's event, with tickets going on Priority Sale for PDCtv Annual Subscribers on September 1 and on General Sale on September 6.
"I'm delighted to have qualified for the Grand Slam," said Jones. "It's going to cost me £1.70 on the bus to get there!
"I want to play like I have been doing and give the crowd something to shout about, because the first time I played in it I was rubbish.
"I think I'm a better player now and I can't complain with the way I'm playing and I'll look forward to the Grand Slam."
Jones moves into the world's top 16 after jumping from 21st to 13th on the PDC Order of Merit after the European Championship.
He had overcome top ten stars Adrian Lewis, Raymond van Barneveld and Colin Lloyd to reach the final, before being the latest victim of Phil Taylor's in a major final with an 11-1 defeat.
"I'm very chuffed, and I'm obviously delighted to get to the final," said Jones. "It was a really good week but I'm annoyed about the final because it was probably my worst performance.
"I'm annoyed with myself over the final. An 11-1 scoreline is a bit embarrassing but having said that, my best performance probably wouldn't have been enough to win anyway.
"Even if I'd have played fabulous darts I don't think I would have won it because Phil didn't miss a lot and I didn't come back at him.
"Maybe I should have won three, four or five legs but my finishing wasn't there and Phil didn't miss anything. I've got no complaints and, come next week, I'll have forgotten it."
Jones has been one of the circuits leading players in the PDC ProTour events, and is delighted that he is taking that form onto the televised stage after suffering jitters previously in front of the TV cameras.
"It's unusual for me!" added Jones. "I'm usually not very good on stage but just lately I seem to be playing very well.
"My floor game seems to be coming up to the stage, and my floor game is always good. I'm so consistent on the floor and to be doing it on stage as well now is great."
Tickets for the Grand Slam of Darts will go on Priority Sale for PDCtv Annual Subscribers on September 1 and on General Sale on September 6. Ticket prices are currently being finalised and will be announced in due course.
The Priority Sales period will be open only to users of the PDC's official website, www.pdc.tv, who have an "Annual Pass - Highlights" package pass or an "Annual International Pass" for live coverage outside of the UK & Ireland.
Subscribers with a monthly subscription are not eligible to purchase tickets in this period. Full Terms & Conditions will be announced shortly.
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