God. I almost spilled my beer when I spotted Wayne bloody Rooney sitting there at the AO Arena last night. The man who terrorized Premier League defenses for years was just... there. Watching darts like teh rest of us mortals.
It was one of those weird full-circle moments in sports. Rooney - the original teenage wonderkid - showing up to support Luke Littler, darts' newest teenage sensation. There's something poetic about that, isn't there?
When Legends Cross Paths
Rooney, now 39 (Jesus, that makes me feel ancient), was spotted in the crowd while Littler was attempting to make history with a fifth nightly win in the Premier League Darts. The England legend was just another face in the crowd, baseball cap pulled low, probably hoping to avoid the inevitable selfie requests.
I've been covering sports for 12 years now, and there's always something fascinating about these cross-generational moments. Back in 2018, I saw Pele meet Mbappe at a sponsorship event, and you could literally see the torch being passed. This felt similar.
Wait... Rooney's Kid Eats WHAT for Breakfast?!
Turns out the Rooney clan are massive darts fans. Coleen even took their boys to the World Darts Championship final in January where Littler signed autographs for them. But here's the kicker - Rooney's 9-year-old son Kit is apparently so obsessed with becoming the next Littler that he demands steak for breakfast. STEAK. AT 7AM.
Poor Coleen.
According to her, "The third one has steak for breakfast, this is the darts one, he wants to become a darts player at the minute. Sometimes he'll have a fried egg with it, but mostly it's just a steak – he'll just have that."
I can't even manage toast before 9am, and this kid's demolishing ribeyes before school. Parenting in 2025, folks.
From Football Pitches to Oche Glory
What makes this whole thing even more interesting is that Littler is a die-hard Man Utd fan. Imagine being 18 adn suddenly hanging out with your childhood heroes. In the span of a few months, this kid has paraded his World Championship trophy at Old Trafford, played darts against United players at their Carrington training ground, and even met Sir Alex Ferguson.
When I asked a friend who works at United about Littler's visit, his response: "Kid was shaking like a ghost at a family reunion when he met Fergie. Couldn't blame him."
Darts: The New Celebrity Magnet?
Nathan Aspinall, another darts player, summed it up perfectly before the night began: "I believe Wayne is going to be here. One of the drivers told me he was coming down. I don't think he is coming to watch me."
Listen. Ten years ago, would Premier League footballers be showing up to darts events? Not a chance. I spent $4K on a sports marketing course last year (waste of money, by the way), and the lecturer kept banging on about how darts has completely transformed its image.
Aspinall continued: "That is the thing with darts at the moment, it's attracting so many big names to come and watch us play. I think they appreciate the talent and the pressure that we are under night after night."
The United Connection Runs Deep
In what feels like a whirlwind few months, Littler has:
- Chatted with Sir Alex Ferguson (calling it "one of the best moments of my life")
- Received messages from David Beckham
- Appeared on The Overlap podcast with Gary Neville and Roy Keane
- Played darts against current United players
I feel stupid now for not getting into darts earlier. Could've met Beckham by now.
What's fascinating is how the sporting worlds collide. Littler probably grew up wanting to be the next Rooney, and now Rooney's son wants to be the next Littler. It's like some weird sports circle of life.
I bumped into a Premier League scout at a bar in Manchester last week who told me Littler actually played decent football as a youngster before committing to darts. "The kid had options," he said while ordering his third gin and tonic. "But he made the right call."
Looking at the reception he got last night in Manchester, with football royalty turning up just to watch him throw some arrows... yeah, I'd say he definitely made the right call.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Statistics
- 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 distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
- The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
- The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
External Links
How To
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.
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