Stephen Bunting is set to step onto the Ahoy arena stage on Thursday night with the expectation of receiving a rapturous welcome from his native Liverpool supporters. The atmosphere, however, is likely to be split, as his fellow competitor, the back‑to‑back world champion Luke Littler, has been subjected to a chorus of boos in recent weeks following a public dispute with Dutch player Gian van Veen in Manchester. Even beyond that personal clash, the Merseyside crowd has already signaled its displeasure toward the Manchester United fan, who has not hesitated to highlight Liverpool's difficulties this season across his social media platforms. Bunting, aware of the volatile nature of live sport, admits that there is little he can do to control how spectators react.
"It’s not my place to dictate the crowd’s mood," he told reporters when asked about the boos directed at Littler. "When I’m out there, the fans generally respond positively to me. I focus on hitting the right doubles and staying composed on the oche." He recalled an incident after the World Championship where a careless remark earned him a harsh reaction from the audience.
"There was one night after the Worlds when I said something I probably shouldn’t have, and the backlash felt a bit severe," Bunting said. "Fans will always react the way they feel, whether it’s cheering or booing, and there’s nothing we can really change about that." The Englishman also pointed out the power of online commentary, noting that many critics sit behind keyboards, far removed from the live venue. "People write all sorts of things online, and that’s beyond our control.
If someone in the arena decides to boo, that’s entirely their choice," he added. "All I can do is stay clean, focus on my game, and avoid giving anyone a reason to turn against me." Bunting is feeding off the energy of his home crowd and is especially excited about a potential showdown with Premier League leader Jonny Clayton in the quarter‑finals. "Playing in front of Liverpool fans is always an emotional experience," he said.
"I’ll probably take an extra couple of seconds on my walk‑on, take a deep breath, and try not to get too emotional." He confessed that the day had already been emotionally charged, having visited Alder Hey Children’s Hospital earlier. "If I win, I might even shed a few tears, but first I have to focus on the match," Bunting admitted. Having experienced both sides of the home‑crowd dynamic, Bunting reflected on past visits to other venues.
He recalled a warm reception for Gerwyn Price in Wales and a hostile atmosphere for Michael van Gerwen in the Netherlands. "Last year I played Michael in Rotterdam and managed to pull off a win despite the pressure," he said. "When I faced Gezzy [Price] a few weeks ago, the Welsh crowd was behind him, as you’d expect.
You always have pockets of supporters wherever you go." Looking ahead to Liverpool, Bunting expressed optimism that the crowd would respect both players, regardless of the outcome. "I hope the atmosphere helps me, but I don’t count on it. I just want everyone to play their best darts and make it a memorable Premier League night for the city," he said. The rest of the Liverpool card sees Littler, who is currently second in the standings behind Clayton, opening his evening 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 league, five points adrift of fourth‑placed van Gerwen, who holds the final Play‑Off slot. The Premier League campaign has mirrored the fortunes of Bunting’s hometown football club, which is battling for a Champions League place amid criticism of manager Arne Slot. "The season has been a roller‑coaster for Liverpool," Bunting observed.
"There have been a lot of signings, but they haven’t gelled yet, and injuries have taken a toll. I was a big fan of Slot last year when we won the league, but my view has softened this season." He added that he often discusses football with friends from the boxing world, including Paddy the Baddy, and that while they’re not entirely happy with the current situation, they will continue to support the manager if he stays.
"We’ll see how it unfolds," he said. Darts promoter Barry Hearn has warned players that they must learn to live with occasional booing, as security cannot remove tens of thousands of fans from a venue. Recent incidents include Littler being jeered 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 players have no choice but to adapt, the situation is undesirable. "We have to rely on common sense, and sometimes that’s missing.
Eventually the crowd realizes that booing is counter‑productive, but until then the professionals have to cope," he said. "You can’t eject 12,000 people from a stadium in Rotterdam; it would take forever to get them back in." Veteran commentator Wayne Mardle offered advice to the 19‑year‑old Littler, emphasizing that the negative reaction must end. "He’s no longer a child; he’s a young adult and needs the right support around him," Mardle said. "He shouldn’t ignore the boos, but he also shouldn’t let them define his game.
He needs guidance from friends, family, and his management team." Mardle warned that ignoring the crowd can be harmful, citing examples of Peter Manley, Paul Nicholson, and Gerwyn Price, who all struggled when they were disliked by spectators before eventually adjusting their approach. "Luke never set out to antagonise anyone, but a few incidents have caused tension. We don’t want that negativity to affect his performance," Mardle added.
As the Premier League Darts season progresses, fans can follow the action every Thursday until May on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW. The tournament promises high‑stakes matches, dramatic comebacks, and the ever‑present challenge of handling the crowd’s mood—whether it’s a chorus of cheers for a hometown hero or a wave of boos for a rising star.