"Came back with massive trophy but we couldn't even get on the plane": Charlie Manby recalls remarkable travel story about Luke Littler and whether he saw darting dominance coming

Long before Luke Littler grew into a world champion and one of the biggest names in modern darts, he was already a standout talent on the English youth circuit. Charlie Manby saw him up close during that period.

The Englishman, who has since broken through at the highest level himself, looked back on their shared youth years alongside PDC referee Huw Ware on the Tops and Tales podcast. Among other things, a remarkable story emerged about a huge trophy that Littler and his teammates had to take home after a successful youth tournament.

During the Europe Cup Youth, Manby formed the English team alongside Littler, Thomas Banks and Archie Self. The quartet enjoyed a hugely successful tournament. Littler was crowned winner of the singles event, while Manby and Banks won the pairs tournament. According to Manby, they even defeated Littler and Self along the way.

"I think it was like the standard was just like unreal. You looked around the room, and you were, obviously you're in a room full of like the best darts players at your age. So, like I say, you had Luke, you had Archie Self at that age, like a 12-year-old. And you know, you were just banging in 90-plus averages all the time. And you know, crazy," he said on Tops and Tales.

"And then even like all the other team, you had- I think it was Bradley Roes who beat me in the singles, and he were two time world champion at that point. Yeah. So yeah, like, just the quality of the room and knowing that I was good enough to compete with anyone in there and to win the pairs as well with Thomas, you know, we beat some top-quality pairs along the way, beat Littler and Archie on the way as well."

Quite a reserved character now, who lets his darts do the talking including winning the World Matchplay recently on the oche, Manby said that growing up with Littler, he said that he is like that, but in reality is just a normal person like everybody else, recounting them winning a title, and Littler's dad had to have it between his legs in case it broke on the flight.

"I grown up with Luke, like through all the way through youth from JDC, England Grand Prix's, England events, you know, stuff like that. So I always knew him to talk to and everything. And, you know, I think people will say if you met him now, he's a bit quiet. But when you get to know him, he's just like any other person.

"So it's, yeah, it was good fun. We enjoyed ourselves out there and, you know, came back with massive trophy but we couldn't even get on the plane. And, yeah, took it on his own luggage. And I think it was Luke's dad who just had it in between his legs on the flight on the way home. So he just couldn't fit it anywhere else on the plane. Couldn't put it in your bag in case it broke or out. So, yeah, it was weird. But yeah, it was good fun. It was really good fun. And like you say, to be involved in that team is just crazy. Like, I don't think there'll be a better England team than that at youth level."

During the 2025 World Youth Championship, the two childhood friends faced each other, shortly after Littler had won his first world title. Manby came remarkably close to causing an upset. He took the lead several times, going 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 ahead.

The standard was also particularly high. Both players recorded averages of more than 100. Yet once again, it was Littler who showed his class at the decisive moment. At 5-5, Littler had 80 points remaining after twelve darts. Manby then had a chance to take out 130 himself, but missed the bull. That allowed Littler to settle the match. He hit two twenties, after which his darts appeared to block the ideal route to double 20. Manby thought Littler could no longer reach the double.

"It was a good game. I think we both averaged over a ton. And yeah, it was just like one of them really nice games to play. Good pace, good rhythm and yeah, both threw well. But I think I remember everyone whinging, saying, oh, why is he here? Why is he here? It's like, well, he's eligible to play. So if he wants to play, he can play, can't he? So everyone whinging."

"And then everyone, like, he battered a few people earlier on. And then I was just like, it's actually, I'm glad he's here because I don't get to see him often. And I've seen him here, and I had a chat with him, and that. So it was good fun. And I remember playing him, and I was just like, I'm not expected to win. I like going into a match as the underdog because you're sort of just playing with a bit of freedom. And then I remember there were always two legs in front. There was always a break of hrow in front. I think it was, you know, 2-0 and 3-1 and 4-2. And then I can't remember what it was. I think he broke me back, I think. And then I remember missing a dart at the tops for a 1-20, and then he took out some of it."

"And the last leg, it was his darts. It was five apiece. And then he'd left 80 after 12, and I'd missed the bull for 1-30. And then he checked out 80. But his first two darts were like two big 20s. And then because they stand up in the board, I was like, oh, there's no chance he's getting this in here. And then it just went straight through, both darts, and then double top. I knew it was a great game. So yeah, fair play. And you know, that's why he's where he is."

Manby realised at an early age that Littler possessed something that set him apart from the rest. Around the age of fourteen, the young Englishman began making an increasingly strong impression against adults. He also showed at WDF tournaments that he was not intimidated by older and more experienced opponents.

"Maybe not straight away, but definitely when he turned probably 14, 15, and he started winning men's events in the WDF and all that sort of stuff. If you want to become world champion one day, chances are that this is who's going to be in my way. And I think it's good to have someone to have a bit of a rivalry with. Because there have been loads of rivalries through the years in darts, and people love watching it. Probably a little with Humphries now because they're that good at the top level; then it's just always going to be a good game, and anyone can beat anyone.

"I think they're both as good as each other. So yeah, it's good to have a bit of a rivalry with someone and knowing that he's the man that I want to be against all the time. And yeah, it's good. We've grown up together from a young age, played all the JDCs and stuff like that. So yeah, it'll be good.

"I think just timing. I think when he needs something, he'll just do it. If he's behind in a leg and he needs a 180 and then a 10 plus check out in six starts, he just can click his fingers, he feel like, and just do it. You know, if he's on 304 and you might be sat on a decent, you know, you might leave a double, but he's gone 180 and then he's going to checkout 124 or something like that. I think he can do it whenever he wants, which is crazy."