Luke Littler gets double thumbs-up from Rooney's lad in adorable meetup snap

By Lewis Barnett 26 April, 2025 5 mins read 56 Views

God, I love it when sports worlds collide in the most unexpected ways. Especially when it involves a teenage darts phenom and football royalty's offspring.

So picture this: 18-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler, taking a breather from his hectic Premier League darts schedule, bumps into Wayne Rooney's 11-year-old son Klay. The result? An absolutely heartwarming thumbs-up selfie that's got me grinning ear to ear. These little moments in sports sometimes hit different than the actual competitions, ya know?

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When Man United loyalties create awkward moments...

Littler, who's basically darts' answer to a teenage rockstar after becoming PDC World Champion, is a die-hard Manchester United supporter. Which, if you've been following his career at all, has landed him in some pretty uncomfortable situations. Like getting absolutely ROASTED by boos when he showed up at a league event in Liverpool. Talk about hostile territory!

I was actually at a darts event back in 2022 where something similar happened to another player. The crowd was merciless. Some bloke behind me kept shouting the most ridiculous insults I've ever heard. Sports tribalism at its finest (or worst, depending on your perspective).

The Rooneys: Secretly Darts-Obsessed?

Apparently the Rooney clan has gone full darts-crazy. Littler's even signed autographs for Wayne's kids before, after Coleen brought teh boys to watch the World Darts Championship final back in January. I'm imagining little Rooneys practicing their throws in the garden, dreaming of bullseyes instead of goals.

Must be nice.

Coleen (39) also shared some adorable family pics on social media recently. One particularly sweet shot shows Wayne (also 39... feeling old yet?) with their youngest, seven-year-old Cass, proudly holding up a pencil drawing of his dad. Not exactly Picasso, but the kind of wholesome content we all secretly crave between the drama and competition.

Littler's Liverpool Nightmare

Meanwhile, back to actual darts... Littler had a proper nightmare in Liverpool. He somehow managed to throw away a FOUR-LEG lead against Michael van Gerwen. I watched it live and nearly spilled my £4.50 pint when it happened. The collapse was painful to witness.

The defeat at M&S Bank Arena cost him what would've been a record fifth Premier League victory. Instead, Gerwyn Price snagged his third win of the season. The darts gods can be cruel sometimes.

Playing to a hostile crowd (or trying to)

You should've heard the reception Littler got in Liverpool. Walking to the oche with boos raining down... brutal stuff. But the kid's got moxie - he was playing up to the crowd, looking confident despite the hostility.

For a while, it seemed like the perfect revenge story. He swept MVG aside to lead 4-0, effectively shutting up the jeering arena. I texted my mate Dave: "Littler silencing Liverpool like he's Cantona reincarnated." His response: "Too soon to celebrate, these Scousers will have the last laugh."

Dave was right. As always.

The Unraveling

Littler missed the bullseye that would've put him 5-0 up and just one away from victory. That single miss... it changed everything. Van Gerwen grabbed his first leg, then clawed back to 5-3.

There was a brief moment of hope when Littler hit a gorgeous 160 finish that had me jumping out of my seat. "He's back!" I yelled, probably annoying my neighbors. But nope. The wheels came off completely after that.

Look, I've been following darts since my dad first took me to a local tournament in 2008. I've seen collapses before, but watching a teenage prodigy crumble under pressure in enemy territory... that hits different.

Still, that thumbs-up photo with Klay Rooney reminds us that behind the competition, there's just people - some barely out of childhood - living extraordinary lives under immense pressure.

And sometimes, a simple thumbs-up means more than any trophy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

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.

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.

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

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.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

Statistics

Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.

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Common Problems & How I Fixed Them

Inconsistent grouping was my biggest issue for years. The solution? I recorded my throw in slow motion and noticed I was dropping my elbow at different heights. Once I fixed that, my grouping tightened up immediately.