Luke Littler’s dad forced to carry huge darts trophy between his LEGS on plane because it wouldn’t fit in teen’s luggage

LUKE LITTLER won a trophy so huge his dad had to carry it between his legs on the flight home. The World No1 was still a youth player when he helped England lift the Europe Cup Youth alongside Charlie Manby, Thomas Banks and Archie Self back in 2022. Luke Littler won a trophy so huge his dad had to carry it between his legs on the plane Credit: Getty Images – Getty Littler has enjoyed tremendous support from his family during his rise in darts Credit: Getty Images – Getty Littler, 19, was crowned singles champion while Manby and Banks succeeded in the pairs competition. But the silverware proved more difficult to handle than the opposition as Littler could not fit the huge top prize in his luggage. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Manby told the Tops and Tales podcast: “I grew up with Luke all the way through youth darts, from the JDC to England Grand Prix events, England events and stuff like that. “So, I always knew him and spoke to him. I think people will say if you met him now, he’s a bit quiet. But when you get to know him, he’s just like any other person. “We enjoyed ourselves out there and came back with a massive trophy, but we couldn’t even get it on the plane. “I think it was Luke’s dad [Anthony] who just had it between his legs on the flight on the way home. “So, he just couldn’t fit it anywhere else on the plane. You couldn’t put it in your bag in case it broke or anything. So, yeah, it was weird. “But yeah, it was good fun. It was really good fun. Like you say, to be involved in that team is just crazy. I don’t think there’ll be a better England team than that at youth level.” Most read in Darts SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS The Nuke has gone on to take the darts world by storm since bursting onto the scene at the 2024 World Championship and has already claimed 14 major titles. But Manby realised from a young age that his fellow PDC rival had the talent to reach the very top of the sport. He added: “Maybe not straight away, but definitely when he turned probably 14, 15, and he started winning men’s events in the WDF and all that sort of stuff. “If you want to become world champion one day, chances are that this is who’s going to be in my way. “I think it’s good to have someone to have a bit of a rivalry with because there have been loads of rivalries through the years in darts, and people love watching it. “Probably a little with [Luke] Humphries now because they’re that good at the top level; then it’s just always going to be a good game, and anyone can beat anyone. “I think they’re both as good as each other. We’ve grown up together from a young age, played all the JDCs and stuff like that. “I think when he needs something, he’ll just do it. If he’s behind in a leg and he needs a 180 and then a ton-plus checkout in six darts, he just can click his fingers, he feels like, and just do it. “You know, if he’s on 304 and you might be sat on a decent finish you might leave a double, but he’s gone 180 and then he’s going to checkout 124 or something like that. I think he can do it whenever he wants, which is crazy.” Comment now