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The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd want Luke Littler to return to Old Trafford to parade latest trophy as he matches club's famous Treble
MANCHESTER UNITED are keen for fellow Treble winner Luke Littler to return to Old Trafford and show off his latest darts trophy. Littler, 18, is a passionate United fan and completed the Triple Crown last weekend when he beat James Wade 18-13 to lift the Betfred World Matchplay. 3 Luke Littler was a guest of honour at Old Trafford after winning the World Darts Championship Credit: REUTERS 3 The darts sensation met Red Devils legend Sir Alex Ferguson Credit: INSTAGRAM@LUKETHENUKELITTER 3 SunSport understands United are eager to have Littler return to Old Trafford after his completion of the darts treble Credit: Getty Within the space of just 15 months, he has won the sport's three biggest events – the Premier League Darts, the World Championship and the Matchplay. On Sunday, January 19 – two days before his 18th birthday – Littler showed off the Sid Waddell Trophy to Red Devils fans at half-time of the 3-1 Prem loss to Brighton. And following his latest triumph, secured at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool , club insiders would welcome him doing the same again with this pot of silverware, which is a dead ringer for football 's FA Cup. Though Littler was not even born when United completed the historic Treble in 1999 under legendary boss Sir READ MORE DARTS NEWS No official conversation has been had yet between the two parties but Littler has close links to the hierarchy. SunSport understands they are open to talks and say he is always welcome given his love and loyalty towards United, who are managed by On his first VIP visit in January 2024, he met up with Ferguson, 83, and posed for photos. That same month, he coached shot-shy United stars how to hit the target as he took part in a nine-darts challenge at the Carrington training HQ with Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN Luke Littler prize money breakdown Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner: World Championship 2025 - £500,000 World Championship 2024 - £200,000 Grand Slam of Darts 2024 - £150,000 European Tour - £91,000 Player Championships events - £71,500 Players Championship final runner-up - £60,000 UK Open 2023 + 2024 - £17,500 World Matchplay - £10,000 World Grand Prix - £7,500 European Championship - £7,500 (Unranked) Premier League Darts - £315,000 TOTAL: £1.43 million United open their Premier League campaign against That fixture does not work for Littler, who will be in Auckland that weekend for the New Zealand Darts Masters. 'As a player yeah but...' - Luke Littler forces Roy Keane to agree on Bruno Fernandes but Man Utd legend still makes dig But he will then have time off until the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam on September 12-14. Meanwhile, Littler – midway through his second year as a pro – was asked after his win over Wade which of the three top trophies was his preference. It is nearly seven months since he beat Michael van Gerwen at Ally Pally to become the sport's youngest world champion. Littler replied: 'It has to be the Worlds. But my personal favourite? 'Obviously, the Premier League at 17, winning that on debut and all the doubters saying if I am ready or not. 'That meant the most. But picking up the worlds, I think that is the best.'
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd want Luke Littler to return to Old Trafford to parade latest trophy as he matches club's famous Treble
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MANCHESTER UNITED are keen for fellow Treble winner Luke Littler to return to Old Trafford and show off his latest darts trophy. Littler, 18, is a passionate United fan and completed the Triple Crown last weekend when he beat James Wade 18-13 to lift the Betfred World Matchplay. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Luke Littler was a guest of honour at Old Trafford after winning the World Darts Championship Credit: REUTERS 3 The darts sensation met Red Devils legend Sir Alex Ferguson Credit: INSTAGRAM@LUKETHENUKELITTER 3 SunSport understands United are eager to have Littler return to Old Trafford after his completion of the darts treble Credit: Getty Within the space of just 15 months, he has won the sport's three biggest events – the Premier League Darts, the World Championship and the Matchplay. On Sunday, January 19 – two days before his 18th birthday – Littler showed off the Sid Waddell Trophy to Red Devils fans at half-time of the 3-1 Prem loss to Brighton. And following his latest triumph, secured at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, club insiders would welcome him doing the same again with this pot of silverware, which is a dead ringer for football's FA Cup. Though Littler was not even born when United completed the historic Treble in 1999 under legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson, they see the similarities with his 'three-peat' achievement. READ MORE DARTS NEWS LUKE WHO'S SECOND Why Littler is still not world No1 despite winning Triple Crown No official conversation has been had yet between the two parties but Littler has close links to the hierarchy. SunSport understands they are open to talks and say he is always welcome given his love and loyalty towards United, who are managed by Ruben Amorim. On his first VIP visit in January 2024, he met up with Ferguson, 83, and posed for photos. That same month, he coached shot-shy United stars how to hit the target as he took part in a nine-darts challenge at the Carrington training HQ with Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN Luke Littler prize money breakdown Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner: World Championship 2025 - £500,000 World Championship 2024 - £200,000 Grand Slam of Darts 2024 - £150,000 European Tour - £91,000 Player Championships events - £71,500 Players Championship final runner-up - £60,000 UK Open 2023 + 2024 - £17,500 World Matchplay - £10,000 World Grand Prix - £7,500 European Championship - £7,500 (Unranked) Premier League Darts - £315,000 TOTAL: £1.43 million United open their Premier League campaign against Arsenal on Sunday, August 17. That fixture does not work for Littler, who will be in Auckland that weekend for the New Zealand Darts Masters. 'As a player yeah but...' - Luke Littler forces Roy Keane to agree on Bruno Fernandes but Man Utd legend still makes dig But he will then have time off until the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam on September 12-14. Meanwhile, Littler – midway through his second year as a pro – was asked after his win over Wade which of the three top trophies was his preference. It is nearly seven months since he beat Michael van Gerwen at Ally Pally to become the sport's youngest world champion. Littler replied: 'It has to be the Worlds. But my personal favourite? 'Obviously, the Premier League at 17, winning that on debut and all the doubters saying if I am ready or not. 'That meant the most. But picking up the worlds, I think that is the best.'
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘I can't believe that' – James Wade breaks etiquette in Luke Littler clash leaving darts fans fuming
JAMES WADE shocked fans by walking off the World Matchplay stage and choosing not to conduct a live post-final Sky Sports interview. The Machine was beaten 18-13 by sensational Blackpool . Advertisement 5 Luke Littler celebrated lifting the Phil Taylor Trophy on stage but Wade did not hang around for the live Sky Sports TV interview Credit: Sky Sports 5 James Wade lost a second successive major darts final to Luke Littler this year Credit: Getty 5 Littler earned £200,000 in prize money for the victory in Blackpool on Sunday night Credit: Getty It was the second time he had lost a major final to The Nuke, having been demolished 11-2 in the UK Open finale in March. The etiquette, but not protocol, is for the runners-up to receive their trophy on stage and then hang around to speak to the host broadcaster. In this case it would have been with the excellent reporter Polly James for Sky . Yet emotion clearly got the better of Wade who, once he received his silver plate off PDC chief executive Matt Porter, swiftly left the oche and went backstage. Advertisement READ MORE IN DARTS It surprised TV viewers who were treated to an interview with Littler but not with the 42-year-old Aldershot ace, a father of two. It means, quite unusually, there were not quotes from Wade about how he played or what perhaps he could have done differently. Littler's victory, aged 18, means he replaced Wade in the history books as the youngest winner of the World Matchplay, one of the most coveted events on the calendar. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Advertisement Most read in Darts There are no suggestions that Wade, the new world No.5, will be fined or reprimanded for his actions as there is no obligation to speak. Yet it is good form and good manners to speak to the fans and live TV audience. Or even hang around as Littler celebrated lifting the Phil Taylor Trophy in front of the Winter Gardens audience. This is exactly what Wade – a 11-time major winner – did when he lost in the UK Open showpiece occasion at Butlin's Minehead earlier this year. Advertisement Once this event, which was broadcast on ITV , was over, he spoke glowingly about the teenager that had just destroyed him on the oche. Wade said back on the night of Sunday March 2: 'I'm the senior dart player, but he absolutely smashed me to bits! 'What can you do against that? He was the far superior player. Fair play to Luke. At the moment, he is comfortably the best or second best dart player in the world.' You wonder if his decision to walk away early will impact his chances of being selected by the PDC for the Premier League Darts competition in 2026. Advertisement 5 Wade was surpassed as the youngest World Matchplay champion by 18-year-old Littler Credit: Getty 5 The Machine is one of the legends of the sport and is now up to No.5 in the world rankings Credit: Getty That is, of course, unless he breaks into the top next year's Prem. His absence from the stage as the ticker-tape fell on Littler's head surprised fans, Advertisement James O'Hara expressed his displeasure on social media by saying: 'I can't believe Wade left the stage before Littler even lifted the trophy!' Disappointed Tom Clayton wrote a sarcastic message on X, which said: 'Nice to see Wade stay on stage to watch Littler lift the trophy. Not! Piss poor that.' And darts fan Craig Milner commented: 'Walking off stage before Littler gets his trophy says it all about him. Bit of a p****. Well done the Nuke!' Littler – who has completed the Triple Crown set – posed for photos with his parents, management and new girlfriend Faith. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Why Luke Littler is still not world No1 despite best darts player on the planet completing Triple Crown within 15 months
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE LITTLER is the best darts player in the world at present – but why is he not the world No.1 according to the PDC? Midway through his second year as a professional player, The Nuke completed the Triple Crown set when he lifted the Betfred World Matchplay at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Sunday night. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Luke Littler beat James Wade to win the World Matchplay in Blackpool on Sunday night Credit: Getty 6 Littler shared a warm embrace and kiss with his parents on stage at the Winter Gardens Credit: Getty 6 Littler celebrated the triumph with his girlfriend Faith Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 Within a 15-month period, the 18-year-old has taken possession of the Premier League Darts crown, the World Championship and now the Matchplay title – the three most prestigious and richest tournaments in the sport. Littler is Box Office material and his 18-13 victory in the final over James Wade was secured with a three-dart average of 107.24. That was the highest seen in the final since Phil Taylor was victorious in 2014 – the year he won his 15th of a record 16 crowns – with 107.19. The £200,000 winner's cheque means the Warrington teen has earned £1,500,500 in ranking money since the start of January 2024. That total does not include the HALF A MILLION pounds he has earned from competing in two editions of the Premier League. READ MORE DARTS NEWS LUKE AT THAT Littler is youngest EVER triple crown winner after winning World Matchplay Luke Humphries is top of the standings with £1,797,750 but the gap is only £297,250 and there is a fair chance Littler will become the official world No.1 come the end of the year. In fact it might come sooner than that when the packed autumn schedule begins and there is a run of four major TV titles that carry lucrative cash sums. The PDC Order of Merit is based on prize money won over a two-year period by players in ranking tournaments. 6 Luke Littler became the youngest world darts champion, aged 18, when he won the title in January Credit: Reuters BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler In the latter half of 2023, Humphries, 30, announced himself as the dominant figure, winning the World Grand Prix (£120,000), Grand Slam of Darts (£150,000) and Players Championship Finals (£120,000) – before lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy (£500,000) for the first time. In total, Cool Hand Luke has to defend £890,000 prize money between October 6, 2025 and January 3, 2026. Luke Littler, 18, plants kiss on girlfriend Faith, 19, during walk-on for World Matchplay Darts quarter-final In contrast, Littler is defending NOTHING right now because he is yet to complete a full second term in the pro ranks. Everything he gets is a free hit and will only boost his chances of being the top oche thrower. If Humphries were to keep losing in the early rounds – his Matchplay defence ended in round one in a 10-8 loss to Gian van Veen – and Littler continues to win, then the switch between the two Lukes will take place sooner than possible. It might happen in November at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, that is assuming Humphries is knocked out early at the World Grand Prix in Leicester. 6 The Nuke bagged £315,000 in prize money as he lifted the Premier League Darts trophy in May 2024 Credit: Getty There is a strong chance come the start of the 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championships, which begins on December 11 and is now a 20-day event, then Littler will return to Ally Pally, where he was victorious in January, as the undisputed best player on the planet. Do not forget, of course, that the prize money for the Worlds has doubled from £500,000 to £1million this time, which completely skewers the world ranking standings even more for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. I've looked at the rankings provisionally. I'm No.1 for the Worlds if Luke doesn't defend all that prize money." Luke Littler after winning the World Matchplay Littler has long said that his main ambitions in the sport are to win every major at least once and become world No.1. That might happen sooner than he wants – indeed this time next year he may tick off all those targets. Speaking on Sunday night with the Phil Taylor Trophy in his hands, Littler said that he had looked at the PDC website and had done the maths. He said: 'The start of my career I wanted to win one of every major. There's not that many to go. 'I've looked at the rankings provisionally. I'm No.1 for the Worlds if Luke doesn't defend all that prize money. 'Obviously I don't want him to. But we'll just have to find out and try and add more money to my rankings.' Asked if he would still have the hunger to win after potentially lifting every major title at least once, Littler replied: 'That's what everybody is probably thinking once I've won one of everything. 'But for myself, I have to build on it and get multiple of everything, triple of everything. Once I win one of everything, I won't pack it in just yet.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Why Luke Littler is still not world No1 despite best darts player on the planet completing Triple Crown within 15 months
LUKE LITTLER is the best darts player in the world at present – but why is he not the world No.1 according to the PDC? Midway through his second year as a professional player, Betfred World Matchplay at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Sunday night. 6 Luke Littler beat James Wade to win the World Matchplay in Blackpool on Sunday night Credit: Getty 6 Littler shared a warm embrace and kiss with his parents on stage at the Winter Gardens Credit: Getty 6 Littler celebrated the triumph with his girlfriend Faith Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 Within a 15-month period, the 18-year-old has taken possession of the Premier League Darts crown, the World Championship and now the Matchplay title – the three most prestigious and richest tournaments in the sport. Littler is Box Office material and his 18-13 victory in the final over James Wade was secured with a three-dart average of 107.24. That was the highest seen in the final since Phil Taylor was victorious in 2014 – the year he won his 15th of a record 16 crowns – with 107.19. The £200,000 winner's cheque means the Warrington teen has earned £1,500,500 in ranking money since the start of January 2024. That total does not include the HALF A MILLION pounds he has earned from competing in two editions of the Premier League. READ MORE DARTS NEWS Luke Humphries is In fact it might come sooner than that when the packed autumn schedule begins and there is a run of four major TV titles that carry lucrative cash sums. The PDC Order of Merit is based on prize money won over a two-year period by players in ranking tournaments. 6 Luke Littler became the youngest world darts champion, aged 18, when he won the title in January Credit: Reuters BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Most read in Sport List of all-time Darts World Champions BELOW is a list of darts world champions by year. The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions. That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once - Barney also won four BDO titles - and none of Eric Bristow's five BDO titles are included. 1994 - Dennis Priestley 1995 - Phil Taylor 1996 - Phil Taylor (2) 1997 - Phil Taylor (3) 1998 - Phil Taylor (4) 1999 - Phil Taylor (5) 2000 - Phil Taylor (6) 2001 - Phil Taylor (7) 2002 - Phil Taylor (8) 2003 - John Part 2004 - Phil Taylor (9) 2005 - Phil Taylor (10) 2006 - Phil Taylor (11) 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 2008 - John Part (2) 2009 - Phil Taylor (12) 2010 - Phil Taylor (13) 2011 - Adrian Lewis 2012 - Adrian Lewis (2) 2013 - Phil Taylor (14) 2014 - Michael van Gerwen 2015 - Gary Anderson 2016 - Gary Anderson (2) 2017 - Michael van Gerwen (2) 2018 - Rob Cross 2019 - Michael van Gerwen (3) 2020 - Peter Wright 2021 - Gerwyn Price 2022 - Peter Wright (2) 2023 - Michael Smith 2024 - Luke Humphries 2025 - Luke Littler Most World Titles 14 - Phil Taylor 3 - Michael van Gerwen 2 - John Part, Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Peter Wright 1 - Dennis Priestley, Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Luke Humphries, Luke Littler In the latter half of 2023, Humphries, 30, announced himself as the dominant figure, winning the World Grand Prix (£120,000), Grand Slam of Darts (£150,000) and Players Championship Finals (£120,000) – before lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy (£500,000) for the first time. In total, Luke Littler, 18, plants kiss on girlfriend Faith, 19, during walk-on for World Matchplay Darts quarter-final In contrast, Littler is defending NOTHING right now because he is yet to complete a full second term in the pro ranks. Everything he gets is a free hit and will only boost his chances of being the top oche thrower. If Humphries were to keep losing in the early rounds – his Matchplay defence ended in round one in a 10-8 loss to Gian van Veen – and Littler continues to win, then the switch between the two Lukes will take place sooner than possible. It might happen in November at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, that is assuming Humphries is knocked out early at the World Grand Prix in Leicester. 6 The Nuke bagged £315,000 in prize money as he lifted the Premier League Darts trophy in May 2024 Credit: Getty There is a strong chance come the start of the 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championships, which begins on December 11 and is now a 20-day event, then Littler will return to Ally Pally, where he was victorious in January, as the undisputed best player on the planet. Do not forget, of course, that the prize money for the Worlds has doubled from £500,000 to £1million this time, which completely skewers the world ranking standings even more for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. I've looked at the rankings provisionally. I'm No.1 for the Worlds if Luke doesn't defend all that prize money." Luke Littler after winning the World Matchplay Littler has long said that his main ambitions in the sport are to win every major at least once and become world No.1. That might happen sooner than he wants – indeed this time next year he may tick off all those targets. Speaking on Sunday night with the Phil Taylor Trophy in his hands, Littler said that he had looked at the PDC website and had done the maths. He said: 'The start of my career I wanted to win one of every major. There's not that many to go. 'I've looked at the rankings provisionally. I'm No.1 for the Worlds if Luke doesn't defend all that prize money. 'Obviously I don't want him to. But we'll just have to find out and try and add more money to my rankings.' Asked if he would still have the hunger to win after potentially lifting every major title at least once, Littler replied: 'That's what everybody is probably thinking once I've won one of everything. 'But for myself, I have to build on it and get multiple of everything, triple of everything. Once I win one of everything, I won't pack it in just yet.
