Shropshire darter Steve Farmer has brushed off his world championship disappointment – and set his sights on a stunning start to 2011.

Farmer was dumped out of the Ladbrokes.com World Championship with a straight sets 3-0 defeat to Australia’s Paul Nicholson in the first round last Thursday.

But he has already returned to the practice board in preparation for a tilt at the 2011 Players Championship in Doncaster from February 3 to 6.

Farmer has booked his spot by virtue of his impressive performances over the course of his debut season with the Professional Darts Corporation. Only the top 32 players in the order of merit get an invitation but Farmer has cruised in – though the holder, ironically Farmer’s world nemesis Nicholson, has not made the cut.

“It was the doubles in the first set that cost me on Thursday,” said Farmer, 44, who is now based in Hadley, Telford.

“If I’d got my doubles it could have been a lot different but it’s scores for show, doubles for dough.

“I had a 93 average so I was quite happy with that but he was very good on the doubles and I was slightly nervous.

“I didn’t feel comfortable up on that stage, I don’t know if I was trying too hard to impress.”

Farmer is now relishing the Players Championship, insisting: “I’ll be looking to put up a better show in that one.

“I was back on the practice board over the weekend and I’m looking to get into better shape by February as well.

“I’m trying to lose some weight, get fitter and build my stamina up.

“That’s becoming more and more important in trying to improve your all-round game — if you’re in a long match it can be mentally tiring but you can counteract that with your fitness.”

Meanwhile, Farmer has hailed 15-time world champion Phil Taylor and insisted he should have won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Taylor, who lives near Nantwich finished as runner-up to jumps jockey Tony McCoy in the public vote.

And Farmer said: “I think Phil should have had it for everything he’s done, I can’t understand why he did it.

“It’s really hard up on that stage and to keep up the standard he has all the time is something else.”

By CHRIS HUDSON