Stephen Bunting is set to step onto the Ahoy arena in Liverpool on Thursday night with the expectation of a cheering home crowd. The atmosphere, however, may be split, as the 2023‑24 Premier League Darts event also features back‑to‑back world champion Luke Littler, who has recently endured a wave of boos following a public dispute with Dutch player Gian van Veen in Manchester.
The tension surrounding Littler appears to have been amplified by his outspoken comments on social media, where he has repeatedly highlighted Liverpool’s uneven season and the challenges faced by the club under manager Arne Slot. Bunting, who has been a staple of the Liverpool darts scene for several years, acknowledges that a player’s control over audience reaction is limited. "It’s not my job to police the crowd," he said when asked about the recent booing.
"I focus on my own game, try to hit the right numbers on the oche, and leave the rest to the fans. If someone decides to shout or boo, that’s their choice, not ours." He added that a single slip of the tongue after the World Championship had drawn harsher criticism than he felt was deserved, but emphasized that fans will always react in the way they see fit. The Englishman also noted that much of the negative commentary originates from online keyboards rather than the venue itself. "People type away behind their computers and say whatever they want, but when you’re standing on stage the only thing you can control is your own performance," Bunting explained.
"If the audience decides to boo, that’s entirely on them. All I can do is stay clean, stay focused, and avoid giving anyone a reason to turn against me." Looking ahead to his quarter‑final clash with Premier League leader Jonny Clayton, Bunting said the prospect of playing in front of his hometown supporters adds an extra emotional layer.
"It’s always a bit nerve‑wracking when you have your own fans watching," he admitted. "I’ll probably take a few extra seconds on the walk‑on, breathe deep, and try not to let the emotion get the better of me. If I win, I might even shed a tear, but first I have to play the match." Bunting’s own career has seen both sides of the home‑crowd experience. He recalls the rapturous welcome Gerwyn Price received in Wales and the enthusiastic reception Michael van Gerwen enjoyed in the Netherlands.
"Playing in Rotterdam against Van Gerwen last year was a massive test, but I managed to pull through and win," Bunting reflected. "When I faced Price a few weeks ago, the Welsh crowd was behind him, and that’s something you expect – each venue has its own pockets of support." He remains optimistic that the Liverpool audience will be respectful regardless of who is on stage.
"I hope the crowd’s energy helps me, but I don’t count on it. The goal is for everyone to play the best darts they can and give the fans a night they’ll remember for years," Bunting said.
The evening’s programme also includes Littler’s opening match against former world champion Luke Humphries, a showdown between van Veen and Price, and a clash of the titans as Van Gerwen meets Josh Rock. Littler currently sits second in the league table, just behind Clayton, while Bunting is positioned seventh, five points shy of the fourth‑place spot held by Van Gerwen, who is currently fighting for the final Play‑Off berth. Both darts and football in Liverpool have been experiencing turbulent seasons. The city’s Premier League side is locked in a battle for a Champions League place, and manager Arne Slot has faced criticism for the team’s inconsistent performances.
Bunting weighed in on the football situation, noting that the squad’s numerous signings have struggled to gel. "There have been a lot of injuries, and the team hasn’t clicked the way we hoped," he said. "I was a huge fan of Slot last year when we won the league, but this season has been a different story.
Still, I stand by him – if he stays, we’ll keep supporting him and see how it unfolds." Darts governing figure Barry Hearn has reminded players that they must become accustomed to occasional booing, as security cannot remove tens of thousands of spectators from a venue like Ahoy. Recent incidents have seen fans whistle and shout, disrupting matches on the Euro Tour in Germany and during Littler’s final in Rotterdam.
Referee Huw Ware had to intervene twice after persistent whistling interrupted play. Hearn told SunSport that while it’s frustrating, players are professionals and must learn to cope. "We rely on common sense, and sometimes that’s missing, but eventually people realise that hostile behavior ruins the evening for everyone," he said. "You can’t clear out 12,000 fans in a matter of minutes, so we have to manage the situation with patience and a bit of common sense." Veteran darts commentator Wayne Mardle has also offered advice to the 19‑year‑old Littler, urging his team and the youngster to address the crowd issues head‑on.
"He’s no longer a child; he’s a young adult who needs guidance from his friends, family, and management," Mardle said. "Ignoring the boos isn’t the solution. The player must learn to handle negativity without letting it affect his game, just as Gerwyn Price eventually did after a rough patch." Mardle warned that repeatedly confronting the audience can backfire, citing past examples of Peter Manley, Paul Nicholson, and Price, who all eventually changed their approach to win back fan support. "Littler didn’t set out to antagonise anyone, but a few incidents have sparked the backlash," Mardle explained.
"We need to stop the negative cycle before it drags him down." As the Premier League Darts season progresses, fans can watch the drama unfold each Thursday until May on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW. The tournament promises more high‑stakes matches, intense rivalries, and the ever‑present challenge of balancing performance with crowd dynamics. Whether Bunting can harness the love of his Liverpool supporters or Littler can silence the boos remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the sport’s blend of skill, personality, and audience interaction will continue to captivate viewers worldwide.