Luke Littler Hosts Darts Tournament for England Football Squad at St George's Park
Double world darts champion Luke Littler recently made a special visit to the England national football team's training base, where he hosted an exclusive darts tournament for the players. The event, dubbed the 'Three Lions Darts Championship', took place at St George's Park in Burton as the squad prepares for upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
An Evening of Darts and Camaraderie
Littler, aged 19, joined the England camp for dinner with the players before overseeing the competitive darts session. Despite Manchester City star Phil Foden hitting an impressive 180 in the final, it was Newcastle United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale who emerged as the camp champion, earning praise from the darts prodigy.
Littler expressed his excitement about the experience, stating: "It was a dream as a football fan to come here to see the facilities, meet all the players and sit down and have dinner and have a laugh with them." He added that England manager Thomas Tuchel had specifically instructed him to "teach these boys a lesson" during the darts warm-up.
Player Performances and Memorable Moments
While acknowledging Ramsdale and Foden's "good potential" at the oche, Littler noted that Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford also showed some skill, though he humorously remarked that "the others not so much!" The darts champion wished the team luck for their summer campaign, expressing hope that they could "bring it home."
The evening concluded with Littler receiving signed memorabilia from the squad, including a shirt from Jude Bellingham featuring the encouraging message "Keep smashing it" on the back. This unique crossover event provided lighthearted entertainment as the football team continues their preparations for important international fixtures.
Littler, who travels to Berlin this week for Premier League darts action, described the opportunity to interact with England's elite footballers as a memorable experience that blended his professional expertise with his personal passion for the sport.
