Lisa Ashton has argued that her and fellow trailblazer Fallon Sherrock deserve more respect for their achievements in darts.
This month, the two female stars will taker their place at the Alexandra Palace for the PDC World Championship alongside teenage sensation Beau Greaves. Whilst Ashton and Greaves cemented their places via the PDC Women's Series, Sherrock's inclusion has been the subject of furore.
'The Queen of the Palace', who embarked on an epic run to the third round in 2019, was handed a spot because of her Women's World Matchplay win. The controversy has led to Sky pundit Wayne Mardle appealing to crowds not to boo the star at this year's tournament.
And Ashton, 52, has now called for her and Sherrock to receive the acclaim they deserve. Despite losing all three of her first round matches at the Ally Pally, 'The Lancashire Rose', became the first woman to average over a ton in a televised match at the 2021 UK Open, and also the first to win at the event since 2005 after beating Aaron Beeney.
The Bolton-based star is also the first female to gain a Tour Card at Qualifying School, and responding to Sherrock's recent comments about trying to further opportunities for women in the sport, she told Sky Sports : "I definitely agree, but in my own way because I've done really, really well in the game
"I'm a Tour Card holder but Fallon has suffered a lot more than me. There should be a bit more respect because it's what we have achieved - it's not one player."
Sherrock recently said she felt "hated" and made to feel unwelcome by fellow players. But Ashton claimed that they are all friends away from the stage.
"When we get on the oche, we're not friends, but off the oche we are friends," she added. "Nobody is going to like everybody but at the end of the day you've just got to play your own game, which is the best way.
"I encourage all women players to come through [the ranks] and for what me and Fallon have done, it has shown that the rest of the ladies can also do it. It's nice to see the Women's Series with more players entering now and with Beau Greaves it just shows that the standards are getting higher."
