Should Stephen Bunting take out this year’s World Darts Championship, there’s only one place he wants to celebrate.
Bunting sealed his spot in the fourth round of the tournament on Friday with a comfortable 4-1 win over Latvia’s Madars Razma.
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The No. 8 seed also recorded an impressive three-dart average of 100.06, a feat only three other players have achieved at this year’s World Championships.
A fourth round match against Luke Woodhouse, who knocked out No. 9 seed Damon Heta, awaits for Bunting.
Despite a handful of games to go before the final, Bunting has allowed himself to dream big of the ensuing celebrations should he lift the Sid Waddell trophy for the first time in his career.
He would no doubt soak up the triumph with friends and family first, but two days after the final, his beloved Liverpool welcome bitter rivals Manchester United to Anfield on January 5.
If it were up to Bunting, he would love nothing more than to be at the hallowed ground with the trophy in tow.
He’d also be hoping for a slightly better reception than when he last brought a darts trophy onto Anfield a decade ago.
“I’d love to do that,” Bunting told talkSPORT.
“When I won the Lakeside title in 2014, I got to take it onto the pitch when we played Aston Villa. All the Villa fans were singing, ‘there’s only one Phil Taylor.’
“So hopefully this time people will actually know who I am. That would be really good.
“I’d love to do that, especially against Manchester United. There’s no bigger game in football for me than that.”
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If Bunting had any fears of not being recognised by fans at Anfield, his explosion in popularity at darts events should put those to rest.
He has the crowd in the palm of his hand during his epic walk-on and recently launched a YouTube channel, titled ‘The Bunting Effect’, that has already gained over 20,000 subscribers.
The rapid rise of interest in the sport has also played a key role in Bunting becoming a popular figure, so much so that the darts star is being stopped in the street and in shops by fans.
“I’ve noticed the popularity in our sports has gone up 50 per cent since I’ve started playing PDC,” Bunting said.
“Even when I’m out now, I’m walking around the streets and getting recognised all the time.
“So the popularity in the game, and the demographic of it with [Luke] Littler being involved, he’s really taken it to another level.
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“I’ve got kids walking in JD [Sports], following me around asking for selfies and pictures and autographs.
“Long may that continue, because that’s unbelievable.”
Although Bunting has already dared to dream about what he’ll do with the trophy should he win, a daunting path to the final awaits.
If Bunting gets past Woodhouse, he will face either defending champion Luke Humphries or two-time winner Peter Wright in the quarter final.
Should Bunting beat Humphries or Wright, he could end up facing teen sensation and last year’s finalist Luke Littler in the semi finals.
Bunting’s fourth round match against Woodhouse takes place on Monday.
Where to buy Luke Littler’s darts range
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Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler has released a collection with Target Darts, with prices starting at just £14.95.
Choose from darts, hardware and accessories endorsed by the Grand Slam of Darts Champion 2024, or pick up The Nuke’s purple playing shirt, on the Target Darts website.
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