Stephen Bunting is set to step onto the stage in front of his hometown supporters in Liverpool on Thursday night, and he can expect a wave of affection from the local crowd. The atmosphere for his opponent, however, may be markedly different.
Two‑time world champion Luke Littler has been on the receiving end of boos in recent weeks, a backlash that began after his public dispute with Dutch player Gian van Veen in Manchester. Even without that controversy, Littler’s presence on Merseyside was likely to provoke a negative reaction, especially after the Manchester United fan who has not hesitated to highlight Liverpool’s difficulties this season on social media. Bunting acknowledges that the mood of a crowd is largely beyond a player’s control. "It’s not my place to dictate how fans behave," he said when asked about the booing.
"When I’m on the oche I try to focus on my game and keep everything as clean as possible. There was one moment after the World Championships when I used a word that maybe wasn’t appropriate, and I got a bit of criticism for it – perhaps a little harsh. Fans will react the way they want; we can’t change that. "A lot of people sit behind keyboards and write whatever they like, and that’s out of our hands.
If someone in the arena decides to boo, that’s entirely their choice. All I can do is stay professional, stay out of other people’s business and hope I don’t give anyone a reason to turn against me." Bunting thrives on the energy of a supportive audience and is looking forward to a special moment when he meets Premier League leader Jonny Clayton in the quarter‑finals.
"Playing in front of my home fans is always emotional," he admitted. "I’ll take a few extra seconds on my walk‑on, breathe deep and try not to get too carried away. I’m excited, but I also want to stay focused." He added that he has already experienced a range of emotions leading up to the match, including a visit to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
"If I win, I might even shed a tear, but first things first – I have to win the match," he said with a smile. Bunting has also tasted the opposite side of a home‑crowd reception. He recalled Gerwyn Price’s enthusiastic welcome in Wales and Michael van Gerwen’s roaring applause in the Netherlands.
"Last year I played Van Gerwen in Rotterdam and managed to pull off a win despite the pressure of his home fans," Bunting reflected. "When I faced Gezzy [Price] a few weeks ago, the Welsh crowd was behind him, as you would expect. You always find pockets of supporters wherever you go." He believes Liverpool’s crowd will be respectful regardless of who is on stage. "I hope the atmosphere helps my opponent, because that could make my night easier, but I don’t count on it.
I just want everyone to play their best darts and give the fans a night they’ll remember for years," he said. Elsewhere in the venue, Littler – currently second in the standings behind Clayton – opens his night against former world champion Luke Humphries.
Van Veen will meet Price, while Van Gerwen faces Josh Rock. Bunting sits seventh in the table, five points behind fourth‑placed Van Gerwen, who currently holds the final Play‑Off slot. The Premier League campaign has mirrored the fortunes of Bunting’s beloved Liverpool football club, which is fighting for a Champions League place amid criticism of manager Arne Slot’s title‑winning side.
"The season has been a roller‑coaster," Bunting observed. "New signings haven’t gelled, injuries have piled up, 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 talk football. We’re all hoping the manager sticks around, but we’ll see what happens." Darts promoter 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 include Littler being jeered in Rotterdam during a final and persistent whistling that forced referee Huw Ware to intervene twice on the Euro Tour in Germany. Hearn told SunSport that while the crowd’s behaviour can be frustrating, it is ultimately up to the players to adapt.
"We have to rely on common sense, and sometimes that’s missing. Over time people realise that booing ruins the evening for everyone.
Players are professionals; they’ll get used to it, even if they don’t like it. You can’t kick out 12,000 fans from Ahoy Stadium in Rotterdam – it would take forever to let them back in.
So you have to depend on a bit of common sense, even if it arrives slowly." Veteran Wayne Mardle offered advice to the young Littler, urging him and his team to address the hostile reception. "He’s 19 now, not a child any more. He needs support from friends, family and management to handle the pressure," Mardle said. "Telling him to ignore the boos isn’t the solution.
History shows that players who fight the crowd – Peter Manley, Paul Nicholson, Gerwyn Price – eventually have to change tack and win the crowd over." Mardle emphasized that Littler never set out to antagonise anyone, but a few incidents have sparked negativity. "We don’t want negative emotions to affect a player’s performance. Seeing someone as down as Gerwyn Price looked a couple of years ago was tough, and I’m glad he turned it around.
Questioning the crowd rarely works." The Premier League Darts season will continue every Thursday until May, with Luke Humphries defending his title. Fans can follow the action on Sky Sports or stream the matches via NOW, along with highlights, podcasts and other darts content.