MANBY QUITS JOB TO CHASE DARTS DREAM
26/04/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
CHARLIE MANBY has swapped the cement and bricks for the oche after quitting his job to become a full-time professional darts player.
The former Bricklayer has made a rapid rise in recent months, earning a PDC Tour Card and signing a multi-year deal with Target following a breakthrough campaign.
Champagne Charlie impressed on the biggest stage, reaching the fourth round of the World Championship where he was beaten by Ally Pally finalist Gian van Veen back in December.
The Huddersfield thrower continued his progress with quarter-final runs at Players Championship events Seven and Eight.
Manby admits life on the ProTour has taken some getting used to after leaving the building site behind.
The world No.93 revealed playing under the bright lights has also brought more attention to his personal life.
He told Oche180: “I wouldn’t say superstar but I get recognised now and again.
“It’s good, it’s changed a lot but the main thing is my job really, I’ve stopped working.
“They’re so supportive from work even when I was working. They’ve loved it and they knew exactly where I could get to.
“They were really supportive of me doing that and they couldn’t be happier for me.
“It took a lot of getting used to. You can get lazy but you’ve got to get yourself up, get yourself on the practice board and treat it like an actual job.
“You just have to keep pushing and keep putting the hours in.”
Manby returns to action on Monday afternoon at the Players Championship 11 in Milton Keynes.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
