logo
Luke Humphries aims to be peerless in Blackpool again

Luke Humphries aims to be peerless in Blackpool again

Humphries sealed a maiden title in Blackpool last year and is aiming to join Rod Harrington, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen in winning it in successive years.
He is used to joining select clubs after a stellar 18 months at the oche and wants another membership.
SCHEDULE! 🎯
The first round schedule for the 2025 @BetfredWorld Matchplay has been confirmed!
The countdown to Blackpool begins! 😍
📝 https://t.co/NcrGWJHxhW pic.twitter.com/DPzhoFchk2
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 10, 2025
'It'd be special. After so many exclusive clubs over the last few years, with the Triple Crown one especially, being the first person to win the World Championship, World Cup and the Matchplay in the same year,' he said.
'There's so many exclusive clubs that I've done, I'd love to join another one.
'And it just shows you how hard it is to do that. Those three people doing it and no one else doing it.
'It's quite impressive if I could do it and be the fourth. I back myself, and I can do it. But I know it's going to be a tough one.'
A post shared by Luke Humphries (@lukehumphries180)
A post shared by Luke Humphries (@lukehumphries180)
Humphries begins against Dutchman Gian van Veen on Saturday and comes into the tournament feeling like he has another level to find.
Having won nine major titles, including the World Championship, since October 2023, that could leave the rest of the field feeling nervous.
'I'm still feel confident that I can go to the Matchplay this week and get back to the clinical best that I'm at,' he said.
'And if I do get better, of course, I'm going to be even harder to stop, but I'm happy with where my game's at.
'I know I can get a little bit better, but it's important that you don't think you can get too good, because anybody can beat you.'It's important that you believe in yourself. I think for me I'm quite resilient, if things aren't going my way, I can manage to turn it around and also keep up a high level for a long, long period of time.
'I think that's a really important thing. To win Matchplays, Grand Slams and World Championships, you've got to be good for a long period of time.
'You can't be good for five minutes and then drop off. You've got to be on it for a long period of time. I think that's something in my game I do have.'
His main rival will be Luke Littler, who begins his quest to win the title for the first time on Sunday, against Ryan Searle.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

2025 World Matchplay Darts: Full Wednesday schedule as Luke Littler hunts glory
2025 World Matchplay Darts: Full Wednesday schedule as Luke Littler hunts glory

Daily Record

time28 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

2025 World Matchplay Darts: Full Wednesday schedule as Luke Littler hunts glory

World Champion hunting a first prestigious Blackpool title World Champion Luke Littler is back on the Blackpool stage aiming to take the next step to a first Betfred World Matchplay title. ‌ The teenage sensation made a sparkling start to his bid at the weekend and now aims for a spot in the last eight at the Winter Gardens. ‌ Fellow World Champions Gerwyn Price and Michael Van Gerwen are also back on the stage after being part of Monday's explosive session aiming to avoid shock exits. ‌ Blackpool has already seen some major names go out of the £800,000 event with Luke Humphries ' first-game exit a stunner. Seeds such as Rob Cross and Dave Chisnall have followed Cool Hand out of the door leaving Littler as the strong title favourite. Tuesday four ties sees multiple World Champions take to the stage and Record Sport takes you through the quartet of eagerly-anticipated encounters. Schedule of Play (7pm) Second Round Andrew Gilding v Dirk Van Duijvenbode Gilding missed double 12 for a spectacular nine-darter in his tie against Damon Heta before running out a 12-10 winner in a Winter Gardens epic. Both players averaged over a ton in a compelling contest and it was Goldfinger who prevailed in a dramatic tie-break. Van Duijvenbode earned his last 16 spot with a superb 10-8 win over Rob Cross. The Dutchman overturned a 6-2 deficit to stun the 2019 champion, unleashing a brilliant late barrage, including a magnificent tops-tops 137 checkout, to complete the comeback. ‌ Chris Dobey v Gerwyn Price 2022 runner-up Price maintained his terrific form to overcome Daryl Gurney in an explosive encounter which made headlines for an end-of-match and backstage bust-up. The Welshman defied a spectacular 150 checkout from his rival with back-to-back legs of 11 and 14 darts to wrap up a 10-7 success. Dobey got over a sluggish start to advance to the last 16 for a fourth straight year with a comfortable 10-5 victory over German No.2 Ricardo Pietreczko, winning seven of the last eight legs to progress. ‌ Luke Littler vs Jermaine Wattimena Littler sent out a statement to his title rivals producing a devastating display to celebrate his first win on the iconic Winter Gardens stage. The teenager swept aside a shellshocked Ryan Searle in just 16 minutes of play. Littler was imperious from start to finish at the Empress Ballroom averaging 108.92 and crashing in five maximums in his 10-2 demolition of the Somerset star. Wattimena had a tougher passage as he fended off a spirited fightback from 2021 champion Peter Wright to secure his first World Matchplay win, at the fifth attempt. The Dutchman suffered a quartet of first round exits between 2018 and 2021, but he marked his return with a hard-fought 10-8 victory at the expense of the two-time World Champion. Michael van Gerwen vs Josh Rock ‌ Van Gerwen overturned a 4-3 deficit against Raymond van Barneveld to prevail in a battle of the Dutch darting legends. Barney exploited some early errors from Van Gerwen to hit the front before the World No.3 found his range in the closing stages to progress. Rock produced a blistering performance to begin his bid for Matchplay glory. The World Cup winner came of age on his Winter Gardens return to sweep aside former European Champion Ross Smith. The Northern Irishman punished a nightmare start from Smith to win the opening five legs without reply, and although Smith grew into the contest, Rock always remained in control. Thursday July 24 (8pm) - Quarter-Finals x2 Friday July 25 (8pm) - Quarter-Finals x2 ‌ Saturday July 26 (8pm) - Semi-Finals Sunday July 27 - Afternoon Session (1pm) Betfred Women's World Matchplay ‌ Quarter-Finals Beau Greaves v Kirsi Viinikainen Lisa Ashton v Robyn Byrne ‌ Noa-Lynn van Leuven v Lorraine Winstanley Fallon Sherrock v Gemma Hayter Semi-Finals ‌ Greaves/Viinikainen v Ashton/Byrne Van Leuven/Winstanley v Sherrock/Hayter Final Evening Session (8pm) Betfred World Matchplay Final WHERE TO WATCH: The Betfred World Matchplay will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).

All is fine now – Harry Maguire joining Man Utd tour after personal matter
All is fine now – Harry Maguire joining Man Utd tour after personal matter

Rhyl Journal

timean hour ago

  • Rhyl Journal

All is fine now – Harry Maguire joining Man Utd tour after personal matter

The 32-year-old was a half-time introduction in Saturday's 0-0 friendly draw with Leeds but was replaced in the 74th minute, then conspicuous by his absence from Tuesday's 32-man tour squad. The PA news agency understands Maguire remained at home due to a personal matter and the player has now confirmed he will only be a day late joining up with Ruben Amorim's men Stateside. 'All is fine now,' Maguire posted on an Instagram story. 'I will be travelling tomorrow to meet up with the squad. Thanks for your concern.' Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia have unsurprisingly joined Barcelona-bound Marcus Rashford in being omitted from the travelling party heading for Chicago. The five are searching for new clubs and have been training away from Ruben Amorim's first-team squad since indicating that they wish to explore a future away from Old Trafford. Bryan Mbeumo is part of the group after completing his move from Brentford on Monday for a fee rising to a potential £71million. Fellow summer arrivals Matheus Cunha, whose partner recently gave birth, and Diego Leon are also on the plane. 🤙 #MUTOUR25 🔜 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 22, 2025 Lisandro Martinez is included as he continues his rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament injury sustained in February. PA understands the United defender is not yet ready for team training. Amorim's side are flying from Manchester to their base in Chicago, where they will play Bournemouth at Soldier Field on July 30 as part of the Premier League Summer Series. They start the pre-season tournament at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey – host of next year's World Cup final – against West Ham on Saturday evening local time. United finish their three-game trip against Everton at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta on August 3. Amorim's side welcome Fiorentina, including United great David De Gea, to Old Trafford for their final warm-up friendly on August 9 – the weekend before their Premier League opener at home to Arsenal.

Erik ten Hag wants to sign Raheem Sterling after failed Man Utd transfer approach
Erik ten Hag wants to sign Raheem Sterling after failed Man Utd transfer approach

Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mirror

Erik ten Hag wants to sign Raheem Sterling after failed Man Utd transfer approach

Raheem Sterling has returned to Chelsea following his loan spell with Arsenal and the England international has emerged as a surprise target for Erik ten Hag's Bayer Leverkusen Erik ten Hag is keen to finally link up with Raheem Sterling after failing to sign him at Manchester United. Ten Hag's Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly one of several clubs monitoring Sterling's future after the England international was told that he could leave Chelsea. ‌ Sterling, whose last appearance for his country came at the 2022 World Cup, spent last season on loan at Arsenal. But the winger, 30, struggled for regular game-time, making just five starts in the Premier League. ‌ Having returned to Chelsea at the end of the 2024-25 season, Sterling is still not in Enzo Maresca's plans after being dramatically frozen out at the beginning of last term. That's when links of a shock move to United emerged. ‌ Despite playing for both Liverpool and Manchester City, it was claimed that the Red Devils were in talks with Chelsea, as Ten Hag was interested in Sterling. It was part of negotiations for Jadon Sancho to head the other way during the closing stages of the summer transfer window. Sancho did end up going to Stamford Bridge whereas Sterling ultimately joined Arsenal, who pulled off a final-day swoop. Eleven months later, however, Ten Hag appears to be back in for the ex-Liverpool and City star. BBC Sport report that Leverkusen, who appointed Ten Hag as their new manager in May, are keeping an eye on Sterling with a view to a potential transfer. It's added that a number of clubs on the continent are interested in the 30-year-old. Sterling still has two years left on his contract with Chelsea, who paid City £47.5m for his services in 2022. Leverkusen have cultivated English talent before, particularly wide players. Nottingham Forest forward Callum Hudson-Odoi had a season-long loan with the German giants while former Southampton ace Nathan Tella has played for Leverkusen since 2023. Ten Hag is looking to bolster his squad after losing star man Florian Wirtz to Liverpool as well as Jeremie Frimpong. ‌ Granit Xhaka is also pushing for a move to Sunderland while defender Jonathan Tah signed for Bayern Munich before Ten Hag had started his role. So far, Leverkusen's signings include PSV Eindhoven star Malik Tillman, Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken and Hertha Berlin playmaker Ibrahim Maza. Their pre-season campaign got underway in humiliating fashion with a 5-1 defeat against Brazilian side Flamengo's UNDER-20 side. Coincidentally, Leverkusen will play Chelsea in a friendly at Stamford Bridge on Friday, August 8. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store