Latest news with #Chippy501
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luke Littler addresses retirement claim after Premier League rival's prediction
Luke Littler was crowned Premier League Darts champion in 2024 and the world championship winner is setting out to defend his title with Gerwyn Price standing in his direct path Luke Littler wants to land another big fish when he defends his BetMGM Premier League crown on Thursday night - but chip shop owner Gerwyn Price is planning to batter him. While Luke the Nuke has been chilling at the top of the table for almost four months, the 'Iceman' prepared for their semi-final in the play-offs at London's O2 arena by frying the 14oz jumbo cod at his Chippy 501 takeaway in Markham. And Littler, who was surprised to learn of fellow qualifier Nathan Aspinall's fisherman's tale that the former boy wonder plans to retire in five years, insisted: 'I'm going nowhere - I'll still be here in 10 years.' The Warrington wizard has turned reeling in the big fish - for a maximum 170 checkout - into his trademark celebration. He would need a huge landing net to rake in a possible £335,000 jackpot from this year's tournament (£275,000 prize money plus six £10,000 bonus payments for winning six nights of the 16-week league campaign). Littler has had a mixed reception across Europe as reigning world champion, booed by Premier League crowds in Liverpool and Leeds because of his football allegiances and given a rough ride in Germany on the European Tour. He's had to grow up, in a competitive sense, since turning 18 at the end of January and he admitted: 'There's been a target on my back for the last 18 months since I first came on the PDC Tour and made the final at Alexandra Palace. 'From the moment I walked into my first Pro Tour (floor competition), I knew everyone wanted to beat me. I wouldn't day the crowds anywhere have upset me - I was probably more angry (at the way I played), and the biggest one was in Germany. 'I did what Gerwyn Price always does - go on Instagram, have a moan, take it down half an hour later - but I've got so many followers it was too late. It was already out there. Have I grown up this year? Maybe, but I like to think I'm still the same person as a man that I was as a boy.' Littler ran amok in the record books during the 16-week Thursday night travelling circus across seven countries. He admits it would be a disaster not to repeat his triumph last year, when he unfurled a perfect nine-dart leg on his way to an 11-7 win in the play-off final against Luke Humphries. If he wears the crown again, he will join Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen as the only players to win back-to-back Premier League titles. 'Obviously the stats are there and speak for themselves,' he said. 'I've dominated in many ways - averages, 180s, ton-plus checkouts - but now it is down to performing on one night. 'I love Phil Taylor and Michael. It would mean everything if I could do the same as them. This is my first big TV title defence but I don't want to look beyond the semi-final with Gerwyn and go from there.' Aspinall's claim about Littler retiring aged 23 caught him on the hop. His Nukeship shrugged: 'I don't know where he's got that from - don't worry, I'll be here in 10 years. If I win 16 world titles like Phil, I'll retire, but I'm not even thinking about retirement at the minute - the money is there to be won.' Price won six in a row against Littler either side of the New Year, but the spell was broken in Manchester and Leeds. The Welsh firebrand found a novel way to prepare for renewing their rivalry - in his chippy. Price said: 'Bank Holiday Monday was so busy I had to go in to give them a hand. It was absolutely rammed from the minute we opened. 'I enjoy getting in there and getting my hands dirty, cooking up some fish and meeting the people that probably come there to meet me rather than eat the fish. When it's busy, it stops me thinking about darts too much. 'My run against Luke was always going to come to an end at some point, so I would rather he has won two out of the last eight rather than me winning them all and he turns me over in the O2.'
North Wales Chronicle
28-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Luke Littler hoping to land big fish and win back-to-back Premier League titles
The 18-year-old will follow in the footsteps of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen if he can retain his crown at the O2 Arena, where he is the big favourite after finishing top of the standings with six nightly wins and a record-breaking 45 points. Price had been set to avoid Littler when he moved 5-1 up against Chris Dobey in Sheffield last Thursday but collapsed to lose and was leapfrogged by Nathan Aspinall to third spot. 'Yeah, it's been a good 16-week campaign but that is all out the window now,' Littler said. A post shared by Luke TheNuke Littler (@lukethenukelittler) 'Obviously the stats are there. I've dominated in many ways, averages, 180s, ton-plus checkouts but it is down to one night. First is the semi-final against Gez and for myself, I just want to win that semi-final and make sure I am in the final back-to-back. 'Well, he (Gez) might live to regret it if I do get the win over him tomorrow, but I am not one to say I am going to smash him. We'll just have to see how it goes. 'It would mean everything (to follow Taylor and Van Gerwen). It's obviously my first big TV title defence tomorrow night but for myself I just have to look forward to the first semi-final with Gerwyn and go from there.' Price, runner-up in this tournament in 2023, boasts a strong record against Littler with seven wins from nine meetings. The Welshman revealed his unusual preparation for Thursday's showpiece with a shift in 'Chippy 501' in Markham. 'Yeah, it was Bank Holiday Monday and it was quite busy, so I had to go in to give them a hand,' Price revealed. 'It was absolutely rammed from the minute we opened. I enjoy doing that. Getting my hands dirty, cooking up some fish and meeting the people that probably come there to meet me rather than eat the fish, but it's good when they buy the food as well. 'We only sell cod, we did try haddock but not many people like it. We probably sell a 14oz fish, which is quite big.' Price, who claimed he wanted to finish fourth, also insisted recent Littler wins over him may be a blessing in disguise. He added: 'I would rather he has won two out of the nine rather than I be 9-0 up and he turns me over in the O2. Hopefully I get myself back on track and back on top of Luke tomorrow.' World number one Luke Humphries faces Aspinall in the second semi-final and is eager to add the Premier League to his World Championship and World Matchplay titles. Humphries said: 'Everybody wants to win the three. Whether people believe it is a triple crown or not, it doesn't really bother me. I think in my mind they are the three biggest tournaments to win.'
Leader Live
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Luke Littler hoping to land big fish and win back-to-back Premier League titles
The 18-year-old will follow in the footsteps of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen if he can retain his crown at the O2 Arena, where he is the big favourite after finishing top of the standings with six nightly wins and a record-breaking 45 points. Price had been set to avoid Littler when he moved 5-1 up against Chris Dobey in Sheffield last Thursday but collapsed to lose and was leapfrogged by Nathan Aspinall to third spot. 'Yeah, it's been a good 16-week campaign but that is all out the window now,' Littler said. A post shared by Luke TheNuke Littler (@lukethenukelittler) 'Obviously the stats are there. I've dominated in many ways, averages, 180s, ton-plus checkouts but it is down to one night. First is the semi-final against Gez and for myself, I just want to win that semi-final and make sure I am in the final back-to-back. 'Well, he (Gez) might live to regret it if I do get the win over him tomorrow, but I am not one to say I am going to smash him. We'll just have to see how it goes. 'It would mean everything (to follow Taylor and Van Gerwen). It's obviously my first big TV title defence tomorrow night but for myself I just have to look forward to the first semi-final with Gerwyn and go from there.' Price, runner-up in this tournament in 2023, boasts a strong record against Littler with seven wins from nine meetings. The Welshman revealed his unusual preparation for Thursday's showpiece with a shift in 'Chippy 501' in Markham. 'Yeah, it was Bank Holiday Monday and it was quite busy, so I had to go in to give them a hand,' Price revealed. 'It was absolutely rammed from the minute we opened. I enjoy doing that. Getting my hands dirty, cooking up some fish and meeting the people that probably come there to meet me rather than eat the fish, but it's good when they buy the food as well. 'We only sell cod, we did try haddock but not many people like it. We probably sell a 14oz fish, which is quite big.' Price, who claimed he wanted to finish fourth, also insisted recent Littler wins over him may be a blessing in disguise. He added: 'I would rather he has won two out of the nine rather than I be 9-0 up and he turns me over in the O2. Hopefully I get myself back on track and back on top of Luke tomorrow.' World number one Luke Humphries faces Aspinall in the second semi-final and is eager to add the Premier League to his World Championship and World Matchplay titles. Humphries said: 'Everybody wants to win the three. Whether people believe it is a triple crown or not, it doesn't really bother me. I think in my mind they are the three biggest tournaments to win.'
Glasgow Times
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Luke Littler hoping to land big fish and win back-to-back Premier League titles
The 18-year-old will follow in the footsteps of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen if he can retain his crown at the O2 Arena, where he is the big favourite after finishing top of the standings with six nightly wins and a record-breaking 45 points. Price had been set to avoid Littler when he moved 5-1 up against Chris Dobey in Sheffield last Thursday but collapsed to lose and was leapfrogged by Nathan Aspinall to third spot. 'Yeah, it's been a good 16-week campaign but that is all out the window now,' Littler said. 'Obviously the stats are there. I've dominated in many ways, averages, 180s, ton-plus checkouts but it is down to one night. First is the semi-final against Gez and for myself, I just want to win that semi-final and make sure I am in the final back-to-back. 'Well, he (Gez) might live to regret it if I do get the win over him tomorrow, but I am not one to say I am going to smash him. We'll just have to see how it goes. 'It would mean everything (to follow Taylor and Van Gerwen). It's obviously my first big TV title defence tomorrow night but for myself I just have to look forward to the first semi-final with Gerwyn and go from there.' Price, runner-up in this tournament in 2023, boasts a strong record against Littler with seven wins from nine meetings. The Welshman revealed his unusual preparation for Thursday's showpiece with a shift in 'Chippy 501' in Markham. 'Yeah, it was Bank Holiday Monday and it was quite busy, so I had to go in to give them a hand,' Price revealed. 'It was absolutely rammed from the minute we opened. I enjoy doing that. Getting my hands dirty, cooking up some fish and meeting the people that probably come there to meet me rather than eat the fish, but it's good when they buy the food as well. 'We only sell cod, we did try haddock but not many people like it. We probably sell a 14oz fish, which is quite big.' Luke Humphries is hoping to win a maiden Premier League title (Nigel French/PA) Price, who claimed he wanted to finish fourth, also insisted recent Littler wins over him may be a blessing in disguise. He added: 'I would rather he has won two out of the nine rather than I be 9-0 up and he turns me over in the O2. Hopefully I get myself back on track and back on top of Luke tomorrow.' World number one Luke Humphries faces Aspinall in the second semi-final and is eager to add the Premier League to his World Championship and World Matchplay titles. Humphries said: 'Everybody wants to win the three. Whether people believe it is a triple crown or not, it doesn't really bother me. I think in my mind they are the three biggest tournaments to win.'
South Wales Guardian
28-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Luke Littler hoping to land big fish and win back-to-back Premier League titles
The 18-year-old will follow in the footsteps of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen if he can retain his crown at the O2 Arena, where he is the big favourite after finishing top of the standings with six nightly wins and a record-breaking 45 points. Price had been set to avoid Littler when he moved 5-1 up against Chris Dobey in Sheffield last Thursday but collapsed to lose and was leapfrogged by Nathan Aspinall to third spot. 'Yeah, it's been a good 16-week campaign but that is all out the window now,' Littler said. A post shared by Luke TheNuke Littler (@lukethenukelittler) 'Obviously the stats are there. I've dominated in many ways, averages, 180s, ton-plus checkouts but it is down to one night. First is the semi-final against Gez and for myself, I just want to win that semi-final and make sure I am in the final back-to-back. 'Well, he (Gez) might live to regret it if I do get the win over him tomorrow, but I am not one to say I am going to smash him. We'll just have to see how it goes. 'It would mean everything (to follow Taylor and Van Gerwen). It's obviously my first big TV title defence tomorrow night but for myself I just have to look forward to the first semi-final with Gerwyn and go from there.' Price, runner-up in this tournament in 2023, boasts a strong record against Littler with seven wins from nine meetings. The Welshman revealed his unusual preparation for Thursday's showpiece with a shift in 'Chippy 501' in Markham. 'Yeah, it was Bank Holiday Monday and it was quite busy, so I had to go in to give them a hand,' Price revealed. 'It was absolutely rammed from the minute we opened. I enjoy doing that. Getting my hands dirty, cooking up some fish and meeting the people that probably come there to meet me rather than eat the fish, but it's good when they buy the food as well. 'We only sell cod, we did try haddock but not many people like it. We probably sell a 14oz fish, which is quite big.' Price, who claimed he wanted to finish fourth, also insisted recent Littler wins over him may be a blessing in disguise. He added: 'I would rather he has won two out of the nine rather than I be 9-0 up and he turns me over in the O2. Hopefully I get myself back on track and back on top of Luke tomorrow.' World number one Luke Humphries faces Aspinall in the second semi-final and is eager to add the Premier League to his World Championship and World Matchplay titles. Humphries said: 'Everybody wants to win the three. Whether people believe it is a triple crown or not, it doesn't really bother me. I think in my mind they are the three biggest tournaments to win.'
