Charlie Manby has warned that the rise of Luke Littler is a once-in-a-generation moment that is unlikely to ever be repeated.
The Huddersfield hurler has taken another major step forward in his career after joining darts manufacturer Target Darts this week — the same stable that includes top stars such as Josh Rock, Rob Cross and legendary figure Phil Taylor.
Manby, who previously worked as a labourer, became one of the standout stories of the PDC World Darts Championship after producing a string of eye-catching performances. He claimed impressive victories over Cameron Menzies and Ricky Evans before eventually seeing his run come to an end against finalist Gian van Veen.
Despite his own rapid progress and growing reputation in the sport, ‘Champagne Charlie’, 20, believes expectations surrounding young talents must now be tempered — especially in the wake of Littler’s extraordinary breakthrough.
He insists there will never be another “Littler effect” in darts.
Manby said: “That will never happen again though. I think people have got to understand that.
“Parents can’t just buy Luke Littler darts and expect them to do it straight away. It’s not going to happen ever again.
“I think they need to do it their own way. I’ve done it my own way and it’s working now. Kids have got to understand it can’t just happen overnight.
“There’ll be no 16-year-old dart player that will reach the final of the Worlds on their debut. It just won’t happen again, simple as that really.
“The way it happened for Luke, I didn’t think it would happen the way it did.
“So fair play to him. He’s just really kicked on from there.
“It’s done good for the game. But it is a long working progress.
“As long as kids do it their own way, it’ll be original, their own person.”
For Manby, Littler’s story remains inspirational — but also exceptional — and he believes the next generation must focus on carving out their own paths rather than trying to replicate something that may never be seen again in the sport.
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