LUKE Littler has thanked members of the St Helens Darts Academy for their incredible support during the world championship final on Wednesday evening.
The 16-year-old Warrington lad is a product of the St Helens darts 'school' and supporters turned out in force at the base in Sidac Sports Club, Sutton Leach.
Television cameras from BBC and Sky were present at the social club during the final as the crowds - many banners carrying messages of support - watched the action unfold on screens.
Ultimately, Littler was defeated 7-4 at the Alexandra palace by world number one Luke Humphries - but the youngster has been on an incredible journey which has captured the attention of the nation and sports fans across the world.
Speaking afterwards, Littler thanked members of the St Helens club for their support.
He said: “I didn’t even know they were at the academy – it’s usually only open on a Monday.
“Thank you to them for putting the effort in by putting the boards up and the TVs, it was good to see and it cheered me up a bit.”
Littler admitted it “would have changed everything” if he had hit double two and gone 5-2 up during his World Championship final defeat by Humphries.
The unranked player reflected how he had squandered the chance to take a three-set lead going into the break, which allowed Humphries to take the next five sets and win his first major title.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Littler added: “I missed double two to go 5-2 up and that would have changed everything.
“Then I would have gone into the break and I would have been two sets away, just six legs, but it wasn’t to be and then Luke (Humphries) got the job done.
READ MORE: A packed St Helens Darts Academy cheer on Luke Littler
“It is what it is. I didn’t know what to go for so I asked Russ (Bray, the referee) what to go for and I didn’t hit it and I will have to come back stronger.
“It was a bit gutting standing there on my own watching Luke lift the trophy but he deserved it and was the better man on the night.”
Littler, who left school in the summer to focus on darts, won £200,000 and has amassed a wave of social media followers since the tournament kicked off on December 15.
The teenager has even gained the support of players from his favourite football club Manchester United, saying he finds getting attention from their players “unbelievable”.
He added: “It’s crazy to think so many people follow me, especially the footballers of my club. Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones have sent me messages so it’s unbelievable.
“It’s been crazy. I was watching them on the TV and now they watch me on the TV as well so it’s crazy that they’re watching me.
“My girlfriend got us a stadium tour for two people so I’ll be doing that when we can."
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