Stephen Bunting is set to step onto the stage in front of his home crowd in Liverpool on Thursday night, and he can expect nothing but enthusiastic support from the local fans. The atmosphere, however, may not be as friendly for everyone else on the card. Back-to-back world champion Luke Littler has been the target of boos in recent weeks following a public dispute with Dutch player Gian van Veen in Manchester.
Even without that incident, the Merseyside crowd has already shown a willingness to voice criticism of Liverpool’s football struggles this season, a narrative that some Manchester United supporters have amplified on social media. Bunting acknowledges that the reaction of a live audience is largely beyond a player's control.
"It’s not my place to dictate how the crowd behaves," he said when asked about the recent booing. "When the fans are cheering for me, I just focus on delivering my best on the oche. There was one moment after the World Championship where I may have used a word that was out of line, and I got a bit of flak for it – perhaps a little harsh.
Fans will react however they see fit, and we can’t change that." He continued, "A lot of people sit behind keyboards and write all sorts of things; that’s out of our hands. If someone in the venue decides to boo, that’s entirely their choice.
My job is to stay clean, stick to my own game, and avoid stirring up trouble, so hopefully I don’t give anyone a reason to turn against me." Bunting also highlighted how the energy of a supportive crowd can boost a player's performance. He is especially excited about his upcoming quarter‑final clash with Premier League leader Jonny Clayton.
"Playing in front of my hometown supporters is always emotional. 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 need to focus on the match," he admitted. The Englishman is no stranger to the mixed reactions that come with playing away from home.
He recalled Gerwyn Price’s warm welcome in Wales and Michael van Gerwen’s enthusiastic reception in the Netherlands. "Last year I faced Van Gerwen in Rotterdam and managed to pull off a win despite the pressure of the home crowd. A few weeks ago I played Price in front of a packed Welsh arena, and the crowd was firmly behind him.
You learn to expect pockets of support wherever you go," Bunting explained. Looking ahead to the rest of the night, Littler – currently sitting second in the league table behind Clayton – will open his campaign against former world champion Luke Humphries. Meanwhile, Van Veen meets Price, and Van Gerwen takes on Josh Rock. Bunting himself sits seventh, five points adrift of fourth‑placed Van Gerwen, who currently occupies the final playoff spot.
The Premier League season has mirrored the ups and downs of Bunting’s beloved Liverpool football club, which is fighting for a Champions League place amid criticism of manager Arne Slot. "The season has been a rollercoaster, hasn’t it? New signings haven’t quite gelled, injuries have taken a toll, and my view of Slot has shifted this year.
It’s a bit boring to watch at times," Bunting said. He added that he stays in touch with several footballers, including boxers and the likes of Paddy "The Baddy," discussing the sport and offering mutual support. "If Slot stays, we’ll back him fully; otherwise, we’ll see what happens." Darts chief Barry Hearn has warned players that they must learn to live with occasional booing, as security cannot remove tens of thousands of spectators.
Recent incidents have included persistent whistling that forced referee Huw Ware to intervene twice on the Euro Tour in Germany. Littler, for instance, was booed in Rotterdam during a final appearance and is likely to encounter a similar hostile reception in Liverpool. Hearn told SunSport, "We have to rely on common sense, but sometimes that’s lacking.
Eventually the crowd realizes that disruptive behavior hurts the evening, and it calms down. Players are professionals; they have to adapt, even if we don’t like it. You can’t clear 12,000 people from a venue like Ahoy Stadium in Rotterdam – it would take forever. The only answer is for everyone to reflect on their actions." Veteran Wayne Mardle offered advice to the young Littler, insisting that the negative crowd reaction must end.
"He’s 19 now, not a child. The team around him and he himself have a responsibility to manage these situations.
Ignoring the boos isn’t the solution," Mardle said. He referenced past players such as Peter Manley, Paul Nicholson, and Gerwyn Price, who all eventually changed their approach to win over crowds after experiencing hostility. Mardle added, "Littler never set out to antagonise anyone, but a few incidents have happened.
He wants it to stop, and we don’t want to see the kind of downbeat mood that Price displayed a couple of years ago. Questioning the crowd rarely works; it only fuels negativity." As the Premier League darts season progresses, fans can watch the drama unfold every Thursday until May on Sky Sports, with live streaming available via NOW. The league promises more high‑stakes matches, emotional homecomings, and the inevitable clash between talent and temperament as players navigate both the pressure of competition and the unpredictable nature of live audiences.