LITTLER ADMITS ONE OF ‘BEST MOMENTS OF HIS LIFE’

By Phil Lanning

LUKE LITTLER admitted it was one of the ‘best moments of his life’ to chat to Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford. 

The teen sensation kicks off his Premier League defence against Michael van Gerwen in Belfast on Thursday night. 

But ‘The Nuke’, 18, revealed that he had an incredible feeling about stepping into the shoes of Scottish legend Law at the Theatre of Dreams and talking to Sir Alex Ferguson. 

He said: “It was probably one of the best moments of my life – that will live with me forever and ever. 

“It was scheduled for before kick-off. But Denis Law passed away. Luckily enough, I was sat right behind Sir Alex (Ferguson) and there was the empty seat there, where Denis would have sat on matchday. 

“I was chatting to Sir Alex for a little bit, which was good. For myself, it’s one of the best things I have ever done.”

Littler also spoke to podcast ‘United Stand’ about advice he’d give to young football players.

He added: “For myself, I just don’t listen to social media – that is probably one of the biggest things out there. Don’t look at anything. In the football world it’s totally different, you have got to keep your head down. It’s different because when it’s a darts game, you are on your own. When it’s Manchester United, you have a whole team around you, so you have got to stick together.”

Littler won the Premier League in sensational style last May, beating Luke Humphries in the final largely thanks to a wonderful nine-darter. 

He admits he prefers to pressure of playing in front of huge crowds for the big events, adding: “I think when there are no fans…so we play some tournaments behind closed doors, on the floor events. I think us players would rather play in front of a crowd. 

“Us darts players and everyone knows that this is the only sport where the fans are always behind you. It does add that little bit of pressure at times. 

“I absolutely love it when there are tens of thousands of the arena and I can’t wait for the PremierLeague to begin this week. I cannot wait. 

“There’s a little bit of pressure there to defend the trophy, but it’s a long 16 weeks, and as long as I get in the top four I go to the O2 for the semi-finals.

“When you have won a major, what I did in my first year was unbelievable for myself. Coming into my second year with all the trophies and the major titles that I have to defend, it’s something that us as dart players we know it’s coming. So we know what to expect. It’s going to be a very long year.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.