Stephen Bunting is set to step onto the Ahoy stage in Liverpool on Thursday night with the expectation of being greeted with affection from his hometown supporters. The atmosphere, however, may be split, as back‑to‑back world champion Luke Littler has recently endured a chorus of boos after a public dispute with Dutchman Gian van Veen in Manchester. The tension surrounding Littler could be amplified by his own remarks on social media, where he has not hesitated to highlight Liverpool’s difficulties this season, potentially sowing further discord among Merseyside fans. Bunting, aware of the unpredictable nature of live crowds, admits there is little he can do to dictate how the audience reacts.
“It’s not my place to dictate the crowd’s mood,” he told reporters. “When the fans respond positively, I’m grateful and I focus on delivering my best darts.
There was an incident after the World Championship where I may have said something I shouldn’t have, and I took a bit of flak for it – perhaps a little harshly. Fans will react however they wish, and that’s out of our hands.” He added that much of the criticism originates from people behind keyboards, far removed from the venue.
“If someone decides to boo in the arena, that’s entirely their choice. All we can do is stay clean, stick to our game, and avoid stirring up trouble,” Bunting explained.
His philosophy is simple: keep your head down, perform well, and let the crowd decide. Looking ahead, Bunting is eager to feed off the home‑crowd energy when he meets Premier League leader Jonny Clayton in the quarter‑finals. “Playing in front of Liverpool supporters is always emotional for me,” he said. “I’ll probably linger a few extra seconds on my walk‑on, take a deep breath, and try not to get too carried away.
I’m excited and a little nervous. I visited Alder Hey Children’s Hospital earlier today, and that experience reminded me how important it is to stay grounded. If I win, I might even shed a tear, but first I have to focus on the match.” Bunting has experienced both sides of the home‑crowd dynamic.
He recalled Gerwyn Price’s warm reception in Wales and Michael van Gerwen’s enthusiastic welcome in the Netherlands. “Last year I faced Van Gerwen in Rotterdam. The atmosphere was intense, but I managed to pull off a win,” he reflected.
“A few weeks ago I played Gezzy in Wales; the Welsh crowd was behind him, as you’d expect. Wherever you go, you’ll find pockets of support for different players.” He remains optimistic that Liverpool fans will respect all competitors, regardless of who is on stage. “I hope the crowd’s enthusiasm helps me, but I don’t count on it. I just want everyone to play their best darts and give the fans a night to remember.
Ideally, Liverpool will talk about this Premier League evening for weeks to come.” Elsewhere on the same night, Littler – who sits second in the standings behind Clayton – opens his campaign against former world champion Luke Humphries. Meanwhile, Van Veen will face Price, and Van Gerwen will take on Josh Rock. Bunting, currently seventh on the table and five points shy of fourth‑placed Van Gerwen, knows the race for the final Play‑Off spot is tightening. The Premier League’s ebb and flow mirrors the fortunes of Bunting’s beloved football club, Liverpool, which is fighting for a Champions League berth amid criticism of manager Arne Slot.
“The season has been a roller‑coaster,” Bunting observed. “New signings haven’t clicked yet, injuries have taken a toll, and my admiration for Slot has wavered a bit this year. It’s a bit dull to watch at times.
I’m friends with a few boxers and Paddy the Baddy, and we often discuss football. We’re all hoping the manager sticks around, but only time will tell.” Darts promoter Barry Hearn has reminded players that they must learn to coexist with occasional booing, as security cannot remove thousands of spectators in real time. Recent incidents have seen fans whistle and shout, disrupting matches in Rotterdam and Germany. Referee Huw Ware had to intervene twice on the Euro Tour after persistent whistling broke the flow of play.
Hearn told SunSport that while fans’ common sense should prevail, “sometimes it doesn’t. Eventually people realise that booing spoils the evening, but until then the professionals have to adapt. I don’t enjoy it, but there’s no way to eject 12,000 people from a venue quickly. Players just need to keep their composure and maybe look in the mirror to ask if 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,” Mardle said. “Ignoring the boos won’t solve anything.
Past players like Peter Manley, Paul Nicholson, and Gerwyn Price learned the hard way that alienating the crowd hurts performance. Luke didn’t set out to provoke anyone, but a few incidents have sparked negativity. We need to stop that before it affects his game.” Mardle emphasized that players who win over the audience tend to bounce back stronger, citing Price’s recent resurgence after a low period.
“Questioning the crowd never works,” he warned. “The goal is to keep the atmosphere positive for everyone involved.” As the Premier League darts season races toward its climax, fans can tune in each Thursday until May on Sky Sports or stream the action via NOW.
The drama, the rivalries, and the occasional roar of disapproval all add to the rich tapestry of a sport where precision meets passion, and where a single throw can ignite both cheers and jeers across the arena.