Stephen Bunting is set to step onto the Ahoy arena stage on Thursday night with the expectation of receiving a hearty welcome from his home supporters in Liverpool. The atmosphere, however, is likely to be mixed, as the young back‑to‑back world champion Luke Littler has recently endured a series of boos following a public dispute with Dutch competitor Gian van Veen in Manchester. That tension may spill over into the Merseyside venue, especially given Littler's own comments on Liverpool’s current football struggles, which he has highlighted on his social channels.
Bunting acknowledges that a player's control over the crowd’s reaction is limited. "It isn’t my place to dictate how fans behave," he said when asked about the recent booing.
"When I’m on the oche I focus on playing my best and letting the crowd respond as they wish. There was one moment after the World Championship where I used a word that perhaps I shouldn’t have, and I got a bit of flak for it – maybe a little harsh. Fans will always have their own opinions, and we can’t change that." He added that much of the negativity comes from people behind keyboards who write whatever they feel, and that those present in the arena are free to express themselves as they see fit.
"As long as I stay clean, concentrate on my own game and stay out of other players’ business, I hope there’s no reason for anyone to boo me," Bunting said. The Englishman is also keen to feed off the energy of the Liverpool crowd, especially as he prepares for a quarter‑final clash with Premier League leader Jonny Clayton. "Playing in front of my home fans is always emotional," he admitted. "I’ll probably take a few extra seconds on my walk‑on, take a deep breath and try not to get too carried away.
I’ve already had an emotional day – I visited Alder Hey Children’s Hospital – so if I win I might even shed a tear. But first things first, I have to win the match." Bunting is no stranger to the highs and lows of playing in front of supportive or hostile crowds.
He recalled the warm reception Gerwyn Price received in Wales and the enthusiastic welcome Michael van Gerwen got in the Netherlands. "It can be tough," Bunting said. "Last year I faced Van Gerwen in Rotterdam and managed to pull off a win despite the pressure of a home crowd.
A few weeks ago I played Gezzy Price in front of a packed Welsh arena, and the fans were clearly behind him. You always find pockets of support wherever you go." Looking ahead to Liverpool, Bunting expects the local audience to be respectful regardless of who is on stage. "I hope the crowd’s energy helps my opponent, because that could give me an easier night, but I don’t count on it. I just want everyone to play their best darts and make this one of the best Premier League evenings.
Then the people of Liverpool can talk about it for weeks." On the same night, Littler – who is currently second in the standings behind Clayton – opens his campaign against former world champion Luke Humphries. Meanwhile, Van Veen will meet Price, and Van Gerwen will take on Josh Rock.
Bunting sits seventh in the table, five points shy of fourth‑placed Van Gerwen, who occupies the final Play‑Off slot. The Premier League darts season has mirrored the fortunes of Bunting’s beloved football club.
Liverpool’s campaign for a Champions League place has been uneven, with manager Arne Slot under fire despite his previous league‑winning success. "The season has been a roller‑coaster," Bunting commented.
"New signings haven’t gelled, injuries have taken a toll, and my view of Slot has shifted a bit this year. It’s a bit boring to watch at times.
I’m friends with several boxers and with Paddy the Baddy, and we often chat about football. We’re all hoping the manager stays and we’ll back him fully if he does. Time will tell." Darts promoter Barry Hearn has reminded players that they must become accustomed to occasional booing, as security cannot remove thousands of spectators in real time. Recent incidents have shown how disruptive crowd noise can be; Littler was booed in Rotterdam while reaching the final and is likely to face a similar reception in Liverpool.
Referee Huw Ware has even had to intervene twice on the Euro Tour in Germany after persistent whistling interrupted play. Hearn told SunSport that while he dislikes the behaviour, players have to adapt. "We rely on common sense, but sometimes that’s missing.
Eventually people realise that booing ruins the atmosphere, and it stops. The players are professionals; they’ll get used to it. I don’t like it, but you can’t kick out 12,000 fans from Ahoy Stadium in Rotterdam and expect the show to go on without them." Veteran Wayne Mardle has also weighed in, urging Littler’s support team to help the 19‑year‑old manage the crowd hostility. "He’s no longer a child; he’s a young man and he needs guidance," Mardle said.
"He didn’t set out to antagonise anyone, but a few incidents have sparked negative reactions. The team around him must take responsibility and help him navigate this. Ignoring the issue won’t solve it." Mardle added that history shows players who fight the crowd rarely succeed.
"Peter Manley, Paul Nicholson and even Gerwyn Price all tried to go against the audience and it didn’t work. They eventually changed their approach and became crowd‑pleasers.
We don’t want to see Littler get as down as Price looked a couple of years ago." As the Premier League darts season progresses, fans can follow the action each Thursday until May on Sky Sports, with live streaming available through NOW. The competition promises more dramatic moments, high‑stakes matches, and the ever‑present interplay between players and the passionate crowds that make the sport so compelling.