Teesside’s darts scene is booming thanks to the Luke Littler effect – but Glen ‘Duzza’ Durrant doesn’t think anyone locally is ready to follow in his footsteps just yet.
The area’s darts leagues say that since Littler, 17, burst onto the pro scene, culminating in his thrilling PDC World Championship 7-3 triumph over Michael van Gerwen on January 3, there’s been a massive surge of interest in the sport – and especially among young people.
And while Duzza is thrilled by the Littler phenomenon, he reckons it may still be some time before Teesside – or anywhere – produces someone quite as good. Duzza told Teesside Live: “Luke’s a genius – like Ronnie O’Sullivan in snooker or Tiger Woods in golf. His temperament, his accuracy, his throw – he’s incredible.
“Van Gerwen was 17 when we won the World Masters and we thought we’d never see that sort of thing again and then up walks this genius. We all knew of Luke when he was around 12 or 13 and then he smashed in a nine-darter when he was 14, which you can see on YouTube.
“He’s just naturally gifted. And he put a big effort in during Covid, which could have been the catalyst for him. Who knows, had there not been Covid, whether he’d have done so much so quickly. But he’s a genius and what he’s done for our sport is wonderful.
“He’s very calm and measured, has a good family around him and good management, so he’s well protected. I chat to him a bit and I think he looks at me as someone he can have confidence in talking to. He’s quite shy – he’s softly spoken and doesn’t do much eye contact – but put him on a stage in front of a dart board and he’s dynamite.”
Duzza, who won the BDO World Darts Championship from 2017 to 2019 and the Premier League title in 2020, is now a darts coach and Sky Sports commentator. Glenn’s nephew, Jamie Durrant, has recently been trying to become one of the 128 pro darts players qualifying through the Q School process.
Glen Durrant
(Image: Lawrence Lustig/PDC)
Just champion… darts sensation Luke Littler
(Image: Getty Images)
And while Duzza is thrilled more people are stepping up to the oche, he’s urging caution. He said: “The game is changing. They played Madison Square Garden last year, we’re off to Bahrain soon…it’s a truly global sport now. And there were three Geordies in the last eight at Ally Pally – but not Teesside, though.
“There’s nobody coming through from Teesside right now who I’m looking at and thinking ‘this is the next big thing’; but you never know.”
And his advice for youngsters looking to follow in Littler’s footsteps? “There’s a bucket load of money involved now which is quite an incentive. Darts seems to be the new rock n’ roll. But I would say to kids ‘make sure you do your education or get a trade’. There’s a real pathway for young players now but get your qualifications so that if darts doesn’t work out, there’s a back-up. People like Luke Littler are a one-off.”
‘Its gone crackers’
Cleveland county youth team manager Marie Dobson confirmed a surge in interest since Littler – the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year runner-up – came onto the scene. She said: “We’ve seen a massive effect. He’s phenomenal and is a good way for us to get the message out that darts is great for young people.
“We’ve actually played against Luke. We’ve known him since he was about seven or eight when he played for Lancashire. You could tell then he was talented but with any young player, a lot of it is about what happens as they grow up. The boys have their testosterone, then they can have a pint and they find girls – so while plenty have talent, it’s whether they carry that on as they grow up and mature.
“I’ve got a 13-year-old who’s already been picked for the Cleveland county senior squad, and I’ve got others too. So, it shows the talent is there but a lot will depend on what happens in the next few years.”
Cleveland Darts Youth Team – with Marie Dobson, manager, far left
Former county player Marie added: “We were good on Teesside anyway, but this has just put it up to the next level. Durham has an academy now and I’m looking at doing that in the near future. Since Littler won, I’ve had at least 15 emails forwarded to me about kids interested in darts. And I think since Luke came on the scene, we’ve picked up about 32 kids – it’s gone crackers.
“It’s going to help society too because it’s keeping some kids off the street and giving them something to look forward to. They’re not just sat on a bench or a street corner, they’re playing darts.”
‘The Littler effect’
Redcar and District Darts League secretary Dave Baillie said the Littler effect, along with the rise to prominence of female players such as Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock, is another step in making darts an all-inclusive sport for mums, dads, girls and boys.
And it seems the figures speak for themselves. Last season, 14 teams competed in the league whereas this year, 19 are taking part.
Among the young blood are the likes of 12-year-olds Harrison Peacock, who plays for the Inn Off The Park, Corus Blacks player Alfie Sheward and Freddie McKenzie, 14, from The Ship in Marske, whose 154 checkout is the league’s second best this season – bettered only by league chairman Aiden Proudman’s 164.
Dave said: “Darts has always had the reputation of ‘old blokes in the pub’ but people like Luke Little and Luke Humphries are helping change that. They’re good role models and when they’re interviewed, they come across as decent, down-to-earth people
“In our league, everybody supports each other and it’s a nice thing to be a part of. It’s a very accessible sport and not expensive. And if you’re at home, you can be chucking darts rather than just sitting playing computer games. So, with the Littler effect added on, it’s a really healthy outlook for the sport.”
Luke Littler’s parents have always supported his incredible darts career
(Image: Facebook/LukeTheNuke180)
Luke Littler (right) reacts after winning the Paddy Power World Darts Championship final against Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace, London
(Image: PA Wire)
Marie’s Cleveland youth team play their first match of 2025 in their new home at the Village Green Venue, Thornaby Road, Thornaby, on Sunday, January 26 – coincidentally against Luke Littler’s old side, Lancashire. Doors open midday, spectators welcome, admission £1.
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