Latest news with #GeorgeNoble
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Darts legend retires from Premier League Darts immediately after Luke Littler vs Luke Humphries final
DARTS icon George Noble has retired from the Premier League. The referee has stepped down after officiating the 2025 final between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries. 2 2 Noble, 56, has been one of the top callers in darts for the last three decades. He has worked on the PDC Tour since 2007 - prior to that he was part of the BDO team. That means he has witnessed the best in the world over the past three decades, culminating in the two biggest stars fighting it out to win the Premier League. Noble began his career as a referee in 1992 and he has been a regular caller on the Pro Tour ever since. He called every BDO World Championship final between 1995 and 2007. He joined the PDC Tour later in 2007 , where he called the first ever nine-dart finish in PDC World Darts Championship history when Raymond van Barneveld hit a perfect leg against Jelle Klaasen in 2009. Since then he has been the voice of a total of 21 televised nine-darters - more than any other referee. While he has taken part in 18 World Darts Championships. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 'The Puppy' already called time on his work as a referee on the European Tour, stepping away after the Dutch Darts Championship last week. After confirming his retirement plans, Noble spoke about the future of refereeing, saying: "I think it's time we had the first female referee at a major tournament…and maybe even the first non-British one, too."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Darts legend retires from Premier League Darts immediately after Luke Littler vs Luke Humphries final
DARTS icon George Noble has retired from the Premier League. The referee has stepped down after officiating the 2025 final between Advertisement 2 Referee George Noble has quit Premier League Darts Credit: Getty 2 His last Premier League match was the final between Luke Humphries and Luke Littler Credit: PA Noble, 56, has been one of the top callers in darts for the last three decades. He has worked on the PDC Tour since 2007 - prior to that he was part of the BDO team. That means he has witnessed the best in the world over the past three decades, culminating in the two biggest stars fighting it out to win the Premier League. Noble began his career as a referee in 1992 and he has been a regular caller on the Pro Tour ever since. Advertisement READ MORE IN DARTS He called every BDO World Championship final between 1995 and 2007. He joined the PDC Tour later in 2007 , where he called the first ever nine-dart finish in PDC World Darts Championship history when Since then he has been the voice of a total of 21 televised nine-darters - more than any other referee. While he has taken part in 18 World Darts Championships. Advertisement Most read in Darts JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 'The Puppy' already called time on his work as a referee on the European Tour, stepping away after the Dutch Darts Championship last week. After confirming his retirement plans, Noble spoke about the future of refereeing , saying: "I think it's time we had the first female referee at a major tournament…and maybe even the first non-British one, too." Fans sing along to Luke Littler's walk-on song as darts star shares footage from stage
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
PDC Darts hit by another referee retirement shortly after Russ Bray and Paul Hinks exits
PDC Darts hit by another referee retirement shortly after Russ Bray and Paul Hinks exits George Noble has been a mainstay of the darts circuit for the best part of three decades, but he has now confirmed that he will be stepping away from the professional game George Noble will retire from refereeing after the World Championship (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) George Noble has announced his impending retirement after the upcoming World Darts Championship, delivering a huge blow to the PDC. An integral voice at numerous major tournaments for the past three decades, Noble is nearing the conclusion of an illustrious career and has revealed his decision to retire. His last event on the European Tour took place at the Dutch Darts Championship, with his final PDC outing set for Alexandra Palace - where he will oversee Luke Littler's world title defence. Over the weekend, Noble confirmed his retirement plans to Viaplay. The 56-year-old's departure signifies another notable exit from the PDC following Russ Bray and Paul Hinks. Referees like Kirk Bevins, Huw Ware and Owen Binks remain, their youth offset by considerable experience. After confirming his retirement plans, Noble spoke about the future of refereeing, explaining: "I think it's time we had the first female referee at a major maybe even the first non-British one, too." Despite stepping down from top-tier events, Noble is anticipated to remain connected to the sport, having earlier this year demonstrated his enduring passion by competing in the pairs event at the Dutch Open. Known affectionately in the darts world as The Puppy, Noble launched his refereeing journey back in 1992 at his local club, reports the Express. By 1994, he had stepped onto the prestigious Lakeside stage, where he continued to officiate every final between 1995 and 2007. Noble has been a fixture on the PDC circuit since 2009, a notable year for him as he called the first ever nine-darter at the World Darts Championship when Raymond van Barneveld achieved the feat against Jelle Klaasen. Article continues below In a candid chat with Live Darts in 2018, Noble said: "A quarter of a century, I didn't realise it was that long! I was young back then and I had a different nickname as well. I won't get into that. Noble has worked for the PDC since 2009 and has called at many big events (Image: GETTY ) "When you do your first World Championship final, you think it's great, it's what you want to do. But then you do another one and another one. Article continues below "I wouldn't say the novelty wears off, but it's not as daunting as it was the first time. It becomes more regular, not run-of-the-mill because it's the world final, but it's a big achievement to have done that many world finals." Beyond the darts arena, Noble nurtures a deep-rooted allegiance to Millwall FC, and as he considers winding down from his professional commitments, he looks forward to spending more time enjoying matches at The Den next year. Littler will hope to defend his World Championship when the final of the event rolls around at Alexandra Palace at the turn of 2026. The youngster made history with his 7-3 win over Michael van Gerwen in January, becoming the youngest-ever player to lift the title at just 17.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
One of darts' most recognisable voices makes retirement decision as he confirms final tournament
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONE of Darts' most recognisable voices will be putting down the microphone and stepping away from the sport next year. Iconic referee George Noble has announced that he will retire from the PDC circuit following next year's World Darts Championship. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Iconic darts referee George Noble has announced when he will retire next year Credit: Getty Noble, 56, has been one of the top callers in darts for the last three decades, taking to the stage alongside some of the world's best tungsten throwers - including Luke Littler and Phil Taylor. The experienced professional has already called time on his work as a referee on the European Tour, stepping away after the Dutch Darts Championship last week. And now he has revealed that he will step away from the PDC tour next year too. Noble, who is nicknamed 'the Puppy', started his career as a referee in 1992 when the regular country caller called in sick. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL BUNTING MENTAL Bunting's purchase speaks volumes after darts favourite nets £200k in 2025 Unbelievably, he then went on to call every BDO World Championship final between 1995 and 2007. He joined the PDC Tour later in 2007 , where he called the first ever nine-dart finish in PDC World Championship history when Raymond van Barneveld hit a perfect leg against Jelle Klaasen in 2009. Since then he has been the voice of a total of 21 televised nine-darters - more than any other referee. While he has taken part in 18 World Darts Championships. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Noble is the next in a line of top callers to bring an end to their careers in recent years, following the likes of Russ Bray and Paul Hinks. And the Crawley ref has called on change going forward, hoping to see more diversity on stage in the near future. He told Viaplay: "I think it's time we had the first female referee at a major tournament… and maybe even the first non-British one, too."
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
One of darts' most recognisable voices makes retirement decision as he confirms final tournament
ONE of Darts' most recognisable voices will be putting down the microphone and stepping away from the sport next year. Iconic referee George Noble has announced that he will retire from the PDC circuit following next year's World Darts Championship. Noble, 56, has been one of the top callers in darts for the last three decades, taking to the stage alongside some of the world's best tungsten throwers - including Luke Littler and Phil Taylor. The experienced professional has already called time on his work as a referee on the European Tour, stepping away after the Dutch Darts Championship last week. And now he has revealed that he will step away from the PDC tour next year too. Noble, who is nicknamed 'the Puppy', started his career as a referee in 1992 when the regular country caller called in sick. Unbelievably, he then went on to call every BDO World Championship final between 1995 and 2007. He joined the PDC Tour later in 2007 , where he called the first ever nine-dart finish in PDC World Championship history when Raymond van Barneveld hit a perfect leg against Jelle Klaasen in 2009. Since then he has been the voice of a total of 21 televised nine-darters - more than any other referee. While he has taken part in 18 World Darts Championships. Noble is the next in a line of top callers to bring an end to their careers in recent years, following the likes of Russ Bray and Paul Hinks. And the Crawly ref has called on change going forward, hoping to see more diversity on stage in the near future. He told Viaplay: "I think it's time we had the first female referee at a major tournament… and maybe even the first non-British one, too."
