Stephen Bunting can look forward to a warm reception when he steps onto the stage in front of his hometown supporters in Liverpool on Thursday night. The atmosphere for his opponent, however, may be markedly different. Two‑time world champion Luke Littler has endured a series of boos in recent weeks, a backlash that began after his public dispute with Dutchman Gian van Veen in Manchester. Even without that controversy, the Merseyside crowd has already signaled its displeasure toward the Manchester United fan, who has not hesitated to highlight Liverpool’s poor form this season on his social media platforms.
Bunting, aware of the unpredictable nature of crowd reactions, admits there is little he can do to control how the audience behaves. "It’s not my place to dictate how people respond," Bunting explained when asked about the jeering he’s heard. "When I’m on the oche, the fans usually give me positive energy, and I try to keep my game as clean as possible.
There was one moment after the World Championship when I said something I probably shouldn’t have, and I got a bit of flak for it – perhaps a little harsh. Fans will react the way they want, and that’s beyond our control." He added that much of the negativity originates from people behind keyboards, far removed from the venue itself. "If someone chooses to boo in the arena, that’s entirely their decision.
All we can do is focus on our own performance and stay out of other people’s business." Bunting thrives on the energy of a supportive crowd and is especially eager for his quarter‑final clash with Premier League leader Jonny Clayton. "Playing in front of your own supporters is always emotional," he said. "I’ll take a few extra seconds on my walk‑on to breathe 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 I’ll cross that bridge later." He reflected on his own experiences of both warm welcomes and hostile environments abroad.
"Last year I faced Michael van Gerwen in Rotterdam. The crowd was against me, but I managed to pull off the win. A few weeks ago I played Gezzy Price in Wales, and the Welsh fans were behind him, as you’d expect.
Wherever you go, you’ll find pockets of support for one side or the other. Liverpool will be fantastic for me, and I hope the atmosphere helps me, though I don’t count on it. I expect the crowd to be respectful regardless of who’s playing." The Liverpool evening will also feature Littler, who is currently second in the standings behind Clayton, opening his night against former world champion Luke Humphries. Gian van Veen will meet Gerwyn Price, and Michael van Gerwen will take on Josh Rock.
Bunting sits seventh in the league, five points shy of fourth‑placed van Gerwen, who currently holds the final Play‑Off spot. The Premier League campaign for darts has mirrored the struggles of Bunting’s beloved football club, Liverpool, as they battle for a Champions League berth amid criticism of manager Arne Slot’s title‑winning side.
"The season has been a roller‑coaster," Bunting observed. "All the new signings haven’t gelled yet, injuries have taken a toll, and my view of Slot has shifted this year. It’s a bit dull to watch at times.
I’m friends with a few boxers and with Paddy the Baddy, and we often chat about football. We’re all hoping the manager stays, and we’ll support him if he does. Time will tell." Darts promoter Barry Hearn has reminded players that they must learn to live with occasional booing, as security cannot remove tens of thousands of spectators. Recent incidents have seen fans whistle loudly, disrupting matches – Littler was booed in Rotterdam during a final and may face a similar reception in Liverpool.
Referee Huw Ware has had to intervene twice on the Euro Tour in Germany after persistent whistling interfered with play. Hearn acknowledged the difficulty for players, stating, "We have to rely on common sense, which isn’t always present.
Eventually people realise that booing harms the evening’s enjoyment, but until then the professionals have to adapt. I don’t like it, but there’s no way to eject 12,000 fans from a venue like Ahoy in Rotterdam." Former darts star Wayne Mardle has offered advice to the young Littler, urging his team and the player to address the crowd hostility head‑on. "At 19, Luke is no longer a child; he needs guidance from his friends, family, and management," Mardle said.
"It’s not enough to tell him to ignore the boos – that won’t solve the problem. We’ve seen other players, like Peter Manley, Paul Nicholson, and Gerwyn Price, struggle when they were unpopular, but they eventually changed their approach and won the crowd over. Luke never set out to antagonise anyone, but a few incidents have sparked negative reactions. We need to stop that before it affects his performance." Mardle warned that questioning the crowd rarely yields positive results and that players must find a way to coexist with the audience, even when the atmosphere turns sour.
As the Premier League Darts season heads toward its climax, fans can watch the drama unfold each Thursday until May on Sky Sports, with live streaming available via NOW. The stakes are high, the emotions run deep, and for Stephen Bunting, the support of his Liverpool fans could be the decisive factor in a night that promises both high‑quality darts and a memorable atmosphere.