Stephen Bunting is set to step onto the Ahoy arena stage on Thursday night in front of a crowd that will likely shower him with cheers, given his roots in the city. The atmosphere for his opponent, however, may be far less friendly.
Back-to-back world champion Luke Littler has recently endured a wave of boos after a public dispute with Dutchman Gian van Veen in Manchester. That tension seems to have followed him to Merseyside, where he is already bracing for a chilly reception from Liverpool supporters, especially after he has not shied away from highlighting Liverpool’s difficult season on his social media channels. Bunting, aware of the volatile nature of live sport crowds, admits there is little a player can do to dictate how fans react.
"It’s not my place to dictate the crowd’s mood," he said when asked about the recent booing. "When I’m on the oche I focus on playing my best and hope the audience responds positively." He recalled a moment after the World Championship where a slip of the tongue earned him a harsh rebuke from fans. "Fans will always react the way they feel, and we can’t control that," Bunting added. "People behind keyboards can write anything, and those in the venue can boo or cheer – that’s entirely out of our hands." The Englishman stressed that his own strategy is to stay clean, avoid controversy, and let his darts do the talking.
"If I keep my head down, stay out of other people’s business and don’t stir up trouble, then hopefully there’s no reason for anyone to boo me," he said. Bunting also thrives on the energy of a supportive crowd. He looks forward to a special showdown in the quarter‑final against Premier League leader Jonny Clayton.
"Playing in front of home fans is always emotional," he explained. "I’ll take a few extra seconds on my walk‑on, breathe deep, and try not to get carried away. If I win, I might even shed a tear, but first I have to focus on the match." He reflected on past experiences of both welcoming and hostile receptions. In Wales, Gerwyn Price’s fans gave him a warm embrace, while in the Netherlands Michael van Gerwen’s home crowd was fiercely supportive.
"Last year I faced Michael in Rotterdam and managed to win despite the pressure," Bunting recounted. "When I played Gezzy in Wales, the crowd was entirely behind him – you always find pockets of supporters wherever you go. Liverpool will be my biggest crowd yet, and I hope that energy helps my game, though I won’t count on it." Elsewhere on the same night, Littler – currently second in the league behind Clayton – opens his campaign against former world champion Luke Humphries. Van Veen will meet Price, and van Gerwen will take on Josh Rock.
Bunting sits seventh in the standings, five points shy of fourth‑placed van Gerwen, who currently occupies the final play‑off spot. The Premier League’s uneven form mirrors the struggles of Bunting’s hometown football club, Liverpool, which is fighting for a Champions League berth under manager Arne Slot. "The season has been a roller‑coaster," Bunting admitted. "New signings haven’t gelled, injuries have piled up, and the excitement that we felt last year has faded.
I was a huge Arne Slot fan after the title win, but my view has softened this season." He noted that many of his friends, including boxers and fellow darts players, often discuss football over drinks, and they all share a cautious optimism about the manager’s future. "If he stays, we’ll back him fully.
Let’s see how the rest of the season unfolds," Bunting said. Darts promoter Barry Hearn has warned players that they must learn to live with occasional booing, as stadium security cannot simply remove thousands of vocal spectators.
Recent incidents have seen fans whistling and jeering at matches across Europe, including Littler’s own experience in Rotterdam where he was booed en route to the final. Referee Huw Ware has had to intervene twice on the Euro Tour in Germany after persistent whistling disrupted play.
Hearn told SunSport that while the crowd’s behaviour is “counter‑productive,” players are professionals and must adapt. "We rely on common sense, but it’s not always there. Eventually people realise that booing ruins the evening for everyone," he said.
"You can’t throw out 12,000 fans from a venue like Ahoy and expect them to return quickly. The only answer is for each individual to look in the mirror and ask whether they’ve acted like a numpty." Veteran Wayne Mardle has also weighed in, urging Littler’s support team to intervene. "At 19, Luke is no longer a child; he needs guidance from friends, family, and management to handle the negativity," Mardle said. He cautioned against dismissing the boos, noting that past players such as Peter Manley, Paul Nicholson and Gerwyn Price all struggled when they ignored hostile crowds, eventually learning to win over fans rather than alienate them.
Mardle emphasized that Littler never set out to antagonise anyone, but a few missteps have led to a hostile atmosphere that must be addressed. "We don’t want to see a player look as down as Gerwyn did a couple of years ago. The crowd’s reaction can affect performance, so it’s vital to keep emotions in check and focus on the game," he added.
The Premier League Darts season continues each Thursday until May, with Luke Humphries defending his title and the drama unfolding across the league. Fans can follow the action on Sky Sports or stream it via NOW, while the Love the Darts podcast offers additional insights into the stories behind the oche.