Stephen Bunting is gearing up for a night that should feel like a homecoming when he steps onto the stage in front of his Liverpool supporters on Thursday. The atmosphere, however, may not be uniformly friendly.
Recent events have seen back-to-back world champion Luke Littler endure a chorus of boos after a public dispute with Dutch player Gian van Veen in Manchester, and that tension could spill over into the Merseyside arena. Bunting, aware of the volatile nature of crowd reactions, admits there is little he can do to shape how the audience behaves. "It's not my place to dictate the crowd's mood," he told reporters. "When the fans respond positively, I try to stay focused and execute my throws as cleanly as possible.
There was one moment after the World Championship when I used a word I shouldn't have, and I got a bit of flak for it – perhaps a little harsh. Fans will react however they wish, and that's beyond our control." He added that much of the criticism comes from people behind keyboards, far removed from the live venue.
"If someone decides to boo in the arena, that's entirely their choice," Bunting said. "All I can do is stay disciplined, keep my game clean, and avoid stirring up any unnecessary drama." The Englishman is also looking forward to a special challenge later in the evening when he meets Premier League leader Jonny Clayton in the quarter‑finals. "Playing in front of my own fans is always emotional," Bunting explained.
"I take a few extra seconds on my walk‑on to breathe and settle myself. I hope I don’t get too carried away. If I win, I might even shed a tear, but first I have to focus on the darts." Bunting reflected on his own experiences of both welcoming and hostile receptions across the darts circuit.
He recalled the warm welcome Gerwyn Price receives in Wales and the enthusiastic response Michael van Gerwen enjoys in the Netherlands. "Last year I faced Van Gerwen in Rotterdam and managed to pull off a win despite the pressure of a hostile crowd," Bunting said. "When I played Price a few weeks ago, the Welsh crowd was behind him, and that’s something you learn to expect – every venue has its own pockets of support." Turning to Liverpool, Bunting expressed confidence that the local fans would respect the competition regardless of who is playing.
"I hope the atmosphere helps me, but I don’t count on it. I just want everyone to play their best darts and give the audience a night to remember." Meanwhile, the tournament schedule shows Littler, who currently sits second in the league table behind Clayton, opening his night against former world champion Luke Humphries. Gian van Veen will meet Price, and Van Gerwen will face Josh Rock.
Bunting, currently seventh in the standings, trails fourth‑placed Van Gerwen by five points, with the Dutchman occupying the final playoff slot. The Premier League campaign has mirrored the fortunes of Bunting’s hometown football club, Liverpool, which is fighting for a Champions League place amid criticism of manager Arne Slot’s tenure. "The season has been a rollercoaster," Bunting commented.
"New signings haven’t gelled, injuries have taken a toll, and my view of Slot has shifted. I’m still supportive, but the results have been disappointing." Darts governing figure Barry Hearn has warned players that they must learn to cope with occasional booing, noting that security cannot remove tens of thousands of spectators. Recent incidents include Littler being booed in Rotterdam during a final and referee Huw Ware having to intervene twice on the Euro Tour in Germany after persistent whistling disrupted play. Hearn told SunSport that while fans’ common sense is essential, it is often lacking.
"Players are professionals and have to get used to it," he said. "I don’t like it, but you can’t clear a 12,000‑person arena of dissenters. Eventually people realise that disruptive behaviour harms the evening for everyone." Veteran commentator Wayne Mardle has also weighed in, urging Littler’s support team to intervene.
"He’s 19 now, not a child, and he needs guidance on handling the crowd," Mardle said. "Ignoring the boos isn’t the answer. We’ve seen players like Peter Manley, Paul Nicholson and Gerwyn Price struggle when they alienated fans; they eventually had to change tack and win the crowd back." Mardle stressed that no player wants to be despised, recalling how Price’s morale dipped after a period of negative reception, only to recover once he re‑engaged with the audience. "Luke Littler didn’t set out to antagonise anyone, but a few incidents have sparked hostility.
It’s crucial that his management and family help him navigate this, rather than telling him to simply ignore the boos." Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts season will continue every Thursday until May, culminating in a playoff showdown. Defending champion Luke Humphries aims to retain his title, while fans can stream the action on Sky Sports or the NOW platform.
The tournament promises more high‑stakes matches, dramatic turnarounds, and the ever‑present challenge of balancing elite performance with the unpredictable energy of live crowds.