Inside the St Helens talent factory that helped Luke Littler to World Darts Championship final: Unassuming Merseyside store hopes to produce a second title winner after a string of success stories
Luke 'The Nuke' Littler's incredible journey to the World Darts Championship has been supported by a humble Merseyside darts shop – after the 16-year-old became the talent factory's latest star.
Littler, 16, is one of the biggest stories in the darts world in recent years following his remarkable run to the World Cup final – following his 6-2 victory over former world champion Rob Cross – as he prepares for Wednesday night's big showpiece against Luke Humphries.
But ahead of the biggest night of his career, Littler's upbringing in the sport is revealed after he was a regular at the St Helens Darts Shop, which helped develop his incredible skills.
The outlet – located north-east of Liverpool city center – sells darts equipment and other equipment and also has an area where the sport's biggest rising stars can practice.
This year, the store helped hone the talents of four world title contenders competing in Ally Pally's competition. That includes quarter-finalist Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting, who reached the last 16, as reported by The Telegraph.
Luke 'The Nuke' Littler's rise to the Darts World Cup final was helped by a local Merseyside darts shop
The St Helens Darts Shop is an unassuming shop, but one that has produced some of the sport's biggest stars, including last year's World Champion
The outlet sells darts equipment and merchandise, but also offers a gallery for talented players to hone their skills
The store was home to four contenders from this year's championships at Ally Pally
The store has already produced one world champion after regular Michael 'Bully boy Smith' won the title last year – under the guidance of manager Karl Holden.
Holden also runs the local St Helens Darts Academy and narrates BBC Radio 5 Live that Littler's rise to prominence comes as no surprise after watching him work through the ranks – seeing early on that he was too good for his young age group.
“By the time he was 10, we knew he was too good for his age,” he said. 'He couldn't play in the PDC or big-time football until he was 16, so we just let him enjoy it and he just worked his way through the ranks.
'He went from the under-10 league to the under-14 league and before he was 11 he was playing in the under-21 league simply because he was too good for anyone else.'
The store's manager, Karl Holden (L), insisted it was 'no surprise' to see Littler's progress after watching him rise through the ranks as a child
The dart shop has already produced one world champion after shop regular Michael 'Bully Boy' Smith won the title last year
Holden has backed Littler to triumph and become the youngest world champion – despite a handful of doubters who had heard of his progress as a youngster.
“He can win it,” he said. “We knew he was good enough, we knew that before he started.
'A lot of people in the dart shop were like, 'who is this Luke Littler?' but I said he's a good outside prospect. Many didn't know who he was, but I think everyone knows who he is now. Every time I turn on the TV, it's there.”
Littler admitted he was as stunned as everyone else by his fairytale journey at the World Championships, but insisted no pressure was put on him as he prepared to battle Humphries for glory.
Teen sensation Littler is one of the biggest stories from the darts world in recent years
The Warrington star has now defeated two former champions at Alexandra Palace after defeating Rob Cross – while hoping for unthinkable glory
Opinion poll
Who will win the final of the PDC Darts World Championship?
- Lucas Kleiner 206 votes
- Luke Humphries 112 votes
“It hasn't sunk in yet,” said Littler, who averaged 106 last night, one of the highest at this tournament. 'I have set myself the target of winning one match and coming back after Christmas.
'I couldn't imagine reaching the final. I have nothing to lose in this World Championship, it's a freestyle. There is no pressure. It's my first time here and I'm still here.
'You play Rob (Cross), he is a world champion and won on his debut just like me. Rob said to me, “God bless, respect to you – you are one step away, do it”.
'I just landed on the stage. It took me a few legs to get into the match and once I found that rhythm I was ready to go!'
When asked how he would prepare for his big day, he added: “I will do what I have done. Go for an omelette with ham and cheese in the morning, then come here for a pizza and then practice! That's what I've been doing every day.”