Charlie Manby recorded an incredible average. (Image: Zeal Sports Management )
He’s still a teenager, he’s just racked up a phenomenal new record, and he has a huge future ahead of him. And by the way, his name isn’t .
Instead, it’s the name Charlie Manby suddenly on the lips of darts fans after . The 19-year-old threw just 47 darts to whitewash Patrick Williams 4-0, racking up a 130.70 average along the way.
That marker signified the best in the tour’s history, leaving a certain you know who trailing behind him on 115.22.
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In the heat of the battle, however, Manby’s mind wasn’t on records or surpassing ’The Nuke’. And it was only when the reaction to his stunning display intensified that he realised the scale of his achievement.
“I knew I was throwing well but I never expected that when the game was done, to see an average of 130,” Manby exclusively told Express Sport. “I think even when I finished the game it didn’t all hit me until everything started blowing up.
“It was a great moment when I actually realised about my average and the record. It’s a great stat to have, and I’m really proud of myself for doing it.”
Charlie Manby has previously battled with Luke Littler. (Image: Getty)
Under the guidance of Zeal Sports Management, Manby already has four tournament wins, although surprisingly, his latest feat didn’t conclude with his fifth. Owen Bates would beat him 5-2 in the final, an outcome which has ensured the rising star remained grounded.
“I won the game, but at the end of the day, I didn’t win the tournament,” he acknowledged. “I didn’t play badly (against Bates). Maybe the average got to my head a bit straight afterwards, but I don’t think it had much to do with me losing the final. Owen played very well.
“I try not to let anything affect me when I’m in the zone. I always try and keep both on the ground.”
Comparisons with the newly-crowned world champion are unavoidable. The pair played with and against each other during Littler’s sole season on the Development Tour, with Manby admitting his old rival’s meteoric rise has inspired his own quest to reach the big time.
It’s not just in terms of ability where there’s a correlation between the two. Like ‘The Nuke’, Manby is down-to-earth, his dedication driven by a desire for success, not superstardom. And as the sport grows, he’s not the only one.
“There’s a lot of young people out there now, a lot younger than me, 12 and 13-year-olds who can’t play on the development tour yet,” he explained. “The reason they’ve started playing and got better is because of Littler doing what he did.
“He’s been great for the game, and now kids want to start you so they can do it early. He’s spurred all the youngsters on, and there is lots for them to do now with the Junior Darts Tour.”
The term ‘junior’ is one that can no longer be attached to Manby. Nor is he a boy in a man’s world. This week, he heads to Minehead for his first major, the UK Open, having qualified courtesy of his development ranking in 2024.
Manby will play Aden Kirk in the first round, with the top 32 players on the planet not entering until the fourth stage. There will be much to do if he is to set up an intriguing reunion with Littler in the latter rounds, but rest assured, the time when the two teenagers go head-to-head in televised events isn’t far away.