Luke Humphries Interview - 'My form's been brilliant this year'

Dartsnews.com recently had the opportunity to have a chat with Luke Humphries, the Berkshire based player who has had a good year competing in both the Challenge Tour and Development Tour.
He recently missed out on a tour card through the Challenge Tour but sits at the top of the Development Tour Order of Merit ahead of this weekends' return in Barnsley and we spoke about both tours as well as the Andover Classic and his new Red Dragon sponsorship.
Dartsnews : Thanks for taking time out to speak to us Luke, first of all could you tell the readers how you got into darts??
Luke : I got into darts through my parents, they always had a board up at our house and eventually as I grew older I would just have a throw.
Dartsnews : You are currently sitting atop of the DT Order of Merit going into the weekend, what are your thoughts going into it and do you believe that Development and Challenge tour is a great way to get onto the tour??
Luke : My thoughts are very simple and that's to maintain the top spot, and play the best I can. if that's not enough then I'm fine with that. I think the Development tour and Challenge tour are excellent ways for people to get on the main tour. it's a fantastic opportunity the PDC give everyone. And hopefully I can use that to get myself into the main tour.
Dartsnews : After agonisingly losing out on a Challenge Tour tour card are you determined to convert the opportunity you have in front of you??
Luke : Yeah it was a close call on the challenge tour I knew going into that final tournament I had to win, and I played fantastic, unfortunately I just come up short but all credit to Wayne Jones and Mark Dudbridge for their fantastic season's and I wish them all the best next year. I have a great opportunity in getting my tour card through the Development Tour so hopefully I will capitalise on that.
Dartsnews : You have recently signed for Red Dragon alongside Ryan Meikle, what are your thoughts on this and when will your darts be available??
Luke : Yes I have. I was over the moon with signing with Red Dragon, who are a fantastic darts manufacturer. And have helped my game for the better. Also yeah my darts will be made available in due course. Unfortunately I don't have a date for that as yet, as I still have some improvements to make to my darts. But hopefully they will be out soon.
Dartsnews : Recently you added to your roll of honour for this year winning the Andover Classic, how was this and does this show how good your form is this year??
Luke : It was a competition I love and wanted to win for many years as a young lad growing up. The likes of James Wade, Simon Whitlock, Dennis Smith, Paul Hogan have all been on that trophy so it was an amazing feeling to be on that list of great players. My form's been brilliant this year and I just hope I can keep it up throughout the rest of the year ahead.
Dartsnews : Finally what would you say are your ambitions for the rest of the year and beyond??
Luke : Ambitions would have to be a tour card. I've put myself in a great opportunity so to take it with both hands would be great. And also maybe a good run in the world youth championships also would do great for my confidence. Beyond that I'd say my ambition would be to be a top 64 player in the world on the main tour and gradually take my ranking up to as far as I could go and who knows one day I could fulfill and lifetime ambition of winning a major.
Interview conducted by Samuel Gill