God. I'm still laughing about this one. Former darts champion Colin Lloyd absolutely roasted Gary Neville yesterday for that painfully awkward moment on The Overlap podcast. And honestly? Lloyd's not wrong.
Let me set the scene for you. So teenage darts phenom Luke Littler (the kid who's basically revolutionizing darts at SEVENTEEN) sits down with these football legends - Neville, Keane, Scott, Carragher, and Wright. Should've been a great interview, right?
Then Neville drops this gem: "If I give you three random numbers, could you give me finishes straight away?"
I literally cringed so hard my face hurt. Like, what did he expect? "No Gary, I just randomly throw pointy things at a board and hope for the best." Come on.
Audio Summary of the Article
The Absolute Disrespect!
Colin Lloyd went OFF on talkSPORT about it. "I actually thought that was a disrespectful question," he said. "Quite simply because, of course we'd bloody know, we are professional darts players. Our game is numbers."
Lloyd didn't stop there. He compared it to asking Neville if he could slide-tackle a ball off the goal line. Uh, yeah... that's literally what defenders DO. It's their entire job!
Back in 2019, I interviewed a darts player (won't name names, but he's ranked top 10) who told me how much it irritates them when people act surprised they can do basic math. "It's like being shocked a chef knows how to use a knife," he texted me later. I get it now.
Wait... did they seriously not do ANY homework?
The worst part? Apparently Ian Wright chimed in saying Littler "could call any number out against us, we wouldn't know." Lloyd's response was perfect:
"Do your research!"
I mean, these are professional broadcasters making themselves look completely unprepared. I've done some embarrassing interviews in my time (spent $78 on rush transcription once for an interview where I called a footballer by teh wrong name the ENTIRE TIME), but at least I try to understand the basics of whatever sport I'm covering.
The MVG Mind Games
The interview wasn't a complete disaster though. Littler dropped some interesting tea about how Michael van Gerwen tries to get in his head before matches.
Apparently before tournaments, players throw for nearest the bull to see who goes first. MVG tries to psych Littler out... but the kid says he always nails it first. (Seriously, is there anything this teenager CAN'T do?)
Vincent van der Voort also had some spicy takes, claiming there are too many "fanboys" of Littler on the PDC circuit. He specifically called out Stephen Bunting and Nathan Aspinall for being too nice to the youngster instead of trying to intimidate him.
Listen. We've all been that clueless interviewer...
I almost feel bad for Neville. Almost. My editor bet me $20 I wouldn't criticize a Man United legend in print, so... sorry Gary, but this was painful to watch.
The whole thing reminds me of when people find out I write about sports and immediately ask if I know how many points a touchdown is worth. (It's 6, plus the extra point... or 2 if they go for the conversion... or 0 if they miss both... wait, am I overthinking this?)
Poor Littler. Kid's only 17 and handling these awkward interviews like a pro. Meanwhile, I'm 34 and still get flustered when the barista asks if I want room for milk.
Next time maybe The Overlap crew should, you know, learn something about their guest's sport before the cameras roll. Just a thought.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?
The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.
What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?
The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.
What weight darts should beginners use?
For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.
Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.
Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.
How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?
Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.
How often should I replace my dartboard?
A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.
Statistics
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
- The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
- The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
External Links
How To
Choosing Your First Set of Darts
When I started out, I grabbed whatever cheap darts came with the board I bought at Target. BIG mistake. The flights (those wing things at the back) kept falling off, and the tips bent after just a few throws. After wasting about $30 on those garbage darts, I finally invested in a decent tungsten set.
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