Luke Littler fans clapped, cheered and some were even in tears as the teenager made history in the PDC World Darts Championship this evening. The 17-year-old became the youngest world darts champions after beating Michael van Gerwen 7-3.
Luke reached the final after defeating Fazakerley-born Stephen Bunting 6-1 in the semi-final last night. It comes just a year after his sensational rise from obscurity to the final of the 2024 championships, where he was defeated by Luke Humphries.
Luke may have been born in Warrington but he trained at the St Helens Darts Academy, based at SIDAC Social Club on Leach Lane, St Helens. Dozens of fans turned up to the club where it all began to show their support as the teenager made history tonight.
Karl, who also runs the academy, said he was “delighted” to see Luke play so well. Speaking to the ECHO ahead of tonight’s final, he said: “He’s playing one of the best players in the world. I’m feeling so proud – there’s 16 committee members here and most of them were here when he started out playing.
“We’re just so delighted watching him playing so well and seeing what he’s achieved. We were only a little part of his career and helping him but all this effort we put in every week just gives every kid an opportunity to be like him.”
Take a look at the celebrations below.