Charlie Manby: 'No Friends on the Oche' After Littler-Van Veen Spat
Darts professional Charlie Manby has declared there are "no friends on the oche" as the fallout from Luke Littler's recent spat with Gian van Veen continues to resonate within the sport. The incident occurred during their Premier League quarter-final match in Manchester a fortnight ago, where world champion Littler appeared to celebrate his opponent missing a match dart before making a gesture towards him.
The Manchester Quarter-Final Clash
The confrontation between Littler and Van Veen culminated in a frosty handshake and subsequent exchanges on social media platforms. Both players have since indicated they are ready to move forward from the incident, but the episode has sparked broader conversations about sportsmanship and competition in professional darts.
Manby, who experienced similar friction during his recent UK Open clash with James Hurrell, suggests such moments are an inherent part of the game. "I suppose it could be good for the sport," Manby told the Press Association. "Those sorts of things can happen in the heat of the moment. You're playing for a lot, a lot is on the line and at stake."
Manby's Philosophy on Competition
The 20-year-old darts star elaborated on his competitive philosophy, emphasizing the distinction between on-stage and off-stage relationships. "On the oche, you've got no friends anyway," Manby explained. "Backstage, you can be how you like with everyone and be all right, but when you are up there you shouldn't really care who you are playing, how close you are off stage."
Manby further noted the financial stakes involved in professional darts, stating, "These players are all trying to take money out of your pocket. A lot is riding on it, you can't be friends on the oche."
Manby's Career Progression
Despite his competitive mindset on stage, Manby has cultivated friendships off the oche, particularly during his breakthrough run to the last 16 of the World Championship last December. He is now viewed as one of the young talents capable of advancing the sport and has been rewarded with a place in the Target Darts stable alongside Luke Littler.
The Huddersfield thrower previously balanced his darts career with work as a bricklayer, but his life changed dramatically after winning his PDC Tour card in January. "I stopped doing the bricklaying when I got my tour card in January," Manby revealed. "It's good to be on tour, I miss parts of it I suppose, I pay them a visit every now and again and see what they are up to but I never really get the trowel out."
Future Aspirations
Manby's primary motivation now is to avoid returning to his previous profession. "The motivation is not to have to go back," he said. "For now I just want to keep my tour card, get in the top 64 after two years. It is one thing to get it but you have to perform once you get it."
During last year's Alexandra Palace tournament, Manby made headlines by calling out his girlfriend's employer for not allowing her time off to watch him compete. This year, however, the situation has improved. "She still works there," Manby reported. "She got a couple more holiday days this year as well so happy days."
Looking ahead, Charlie Manby will release his upcoming Target Darts product in September, marking another milestone in his burgeoning professional career.
