LUKE LITTLER hopes darts supremo Barry Hearn will arrange for better food on Premier League nights.
Hearn – the president of Matchroom Sport, the company he founded in 1982 – revealed this week he had had a about the quality of nosh supplied to top players every Thursday night.
Luke Littler has complained about the food on offer at Premier League DartsCredit: Sportsfile
Barry Hearn dismissed the world No1’s concernsCredit: PA
The £1.25million Prem – which started in Newcastle on February 5 and ends in London on May 28 – is staged in 17 cities across eight different countries.
The leading sports promoter, who was the chairman of the PDC until 2021, had a meeting with Garry Plummer, the boss of Target Darts, to thrash out various issues and to hear about calls for changes at venues.
Speaking at the Crucible on Tuesday, Hearn, 77, said: “His manager said: ‘Can we have his chef in?’
“I went: ‘For f***’s sake, it’s a darts tournament. What are you talking about? Shut up and drink your lager.’”
Following his nightly victory in Berlin on Thursday – he hit two stunning 170 Big Fish finishes in his 6-4 final win over Michael van Gerwen – Littler was asked by Online Darts if he was a fan of the food at Premier League venues.
The world No1 replied: “Some of it’s okay but like Barry said, hopefully he can sort it out. Not only for us but also for the snooker.”
Littler – who had only four points after the first four weeks – sits top of the Prem table after week eight with 21 points, two points clear of Welshman Jonny Clayton.
It is very much a case of Catch Me If You Can from the reigning world champion as he chases a second Prem crown.
The 19-year-old, who changed his darts equipment before his semi-final win over Gerwyn Price, said: “I’m feeling very good. Better than the first few weeks but now I’m at the top.
“I don’t want to move from there, I want to stay at the top.
“Obviously with the new darts in practice I was pretty much hitting the Bull every time. When I was on stage, I fancied myself. Those two 170s felt special.
“It’s been very interesting this Premier League. Obviously Jonny ran away a little bit but yeah, I thought there was going to be a much bigger gap.
“But yeah, now they can all try and catch me.
“I think the last few years it’s been 24-25 points maybe (to qualify). So as long as we get past those points then I think I can say I’m definitely in.
“Coming into tonight, I said to my mum and dad, we might as well try these out. If I win my first game, it’s two points on the board.
“Yeah, they’re a bit different. I think Target rushed a bit to get them over to Saudi with me.
“There were a few little things not right. But yeah, even when I got them out before I went, ‘these look much better’. And yeah, they worked out.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
