The Army of Mini-Littlers is Coming (And I'm Not Sure We're Ready)

By Lewis Barnett 31 May, 2025 6 mins read 51 Views

Look, I'll be honest with you.

I was at James Maddison's golf day last Tuesday – yeah, the Tottenham guy – and something weird happened. John Terry walks up to me, shoots four under gross (playing off five, which is mental), and what does he want to talk about? Not football. Not his legendary Chelsea days. Darts. Luke bloody Littler and whether I think the kid's going to dominate for the next decade.

Then Michael McIntyre corners me by the clubhouse bar asking if I can teach his son to throw like Luke. Jimmy Bullard's taking videos of me explaining grip techniques. Wes Morgan wants to know if there's money in youth darts coaching.

Everyone's obsessed. Footballers, actors, comedians – they're all asking me the same question: "How many more Luke Littlers are out there?"

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Here's What I Told Them (And It Should Scare You)

There are so many more Luke Littlers in teh making right now it's actually mental. I run a darts academy up in the North West, and I'm telling you – I might be 33 but I feel like a fossil compared to what's coming through.

These kids are fearless in a way that makes my generation look like we're throwing with our eyes closed. They don't have the baggage we had. No "this is just a pub game" mentality. No working construction jobs for 15 years before taking darts seriously.

Luke emerged in December 2023 at 16 and reached the World final. A year later? World champion at 17. That's not normal progression – that's a glimpse into the future.

The Old Guard is About to Get Steamrolled

Phil Taylor worked in a ceramic factory. Gary Anderson built grates. Peter Wright fitted tyres. Rob Cross was an electrician. Me? I had a proper job too before this took off.

But these new kids? They're training in academies from age 8. Their parents are investing thousands. They're treating this like tennis or golf development programs.

If the money gets to golf levels – and it's heading that way fast – there's no way people are grinding this out for 25 years anymore. Guys in their early to mid-30s like me are the last of a dying breed. After us, it's going to be all these academy-trained kids who've never known anything else.

Poor Joe Cullen was at that golf day too, bit worse for wear the next morning (shall we say), and even he admits it. We're dinosaurs.

But Here's What Terrifies Me...

Where are the characters going to come from?

You watch footballers do interviews now and they're robots. Same media-trained responses. Same boring answers. "We gave 110%, the lads played well, onto the next one."

I've had zero media training in my career. Got thrown into the deep end and just said what I thought. Gets me in trouble sometimes, but at least it's real.

What happens when darts finally sheds the "pub game" label completely? When it becomes a "proper sport" in 5-10 years? Do we lose the characters that make this game special?

If everyone turns up throwing the same, celebrating the same, giving the same interviews... God, it would get boring fast.

The Humphries Factor

Speaking of characters – Luke Humphries was supposed to play in Maddison's golf tournament but didn't want to risk injury before the Premier League final. Sensible, professional decision.

Me? I couldn't give a damn. Played anyway.

That difference in approach might sum up where we're heading. The new generation calculates risk differently. They're more professional, more calculated, more... sanitized?

Humphries beat Littler in that O2 Arena final on Thursday, but watching those two play – it felt like witnessing the handover ceremony for darts' future.

Everyone Loves Darts Now (Seriously, Everyone)

Back in 2019, I'd mention I was a professional darts player and get polite nods. Now? People lose their minds. Whether you're a celebrity, run a company, live on a council estate, doesn't matter. Kids, women, men – everyone's talking tungsten.

We owe Luke massive credit for that explosion. But also the rest of us who turn out week-in, week-out, keeping the tour alive while he was still in school.

The boom is real though. At that golf day, I spent more time explaining checkout finishes than discussing anyone's handicap.

What Comes Next?

I'm not sure we're ready for what's coming. An army of Luke Littlers, all academy-trained, all fearless, all treating this as their primary sport from childhood.

It's exciting and terrifying in equal measure.

Just... let's hope they keep some personality when they get here. Because if darts becomes as bland as modern football interviews, we'll have lost something irreplaceable in the pursuit of respectability.

And that would be a real shame.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?

Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.

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.

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?

Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.

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.

Statistics

A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
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.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.

External Links

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Final Thoughts From a Passionate Amateur

As I'm writing this in late 2023, I'm still working on improving my own game. My current challenge is mastering the triple 19 as an alternative to the triple 20 when one gets blocked by previous darts. It's like trying to teach an old dog new tricks—my muscle memory fights me every step of the way!