"I’ve never hit one in a game, I've missed double 12 a few times" – Top talent Charlie Manby holds Development Tour average record without ever hitting nine-dart finish

The darts world is constantly evolving. New talents emerge, young players break through, and the standard keeps rising. One of the most striking names of recent months is without doubt Charlie Manby. The 20-year-old Englishman impressed at the World Championship in December and has now taken an important next step in his career: a contract with Target Darts, one of the sport’s biggest and most prestigious brands.

In a candid interview, Manby talks about his development, his ambitions, and life as a rising professional in a sport that has exploded in popularity in recent years.

For Manby, signing with Target Darts feels like a milestone. “To be connected with them is absolutely huge,” he said to talkSPORT.

The foundation for this step was laid early. “It started with my mum and dad, but then I got a management company a couple of years ago, and they’ve pushed me in the right direction, so I’m really grateful for that.”

As with many dart players, Manby’s story didn’t begin in a big arena, but simply in the local pub. “Just locally in a pub with my dad when I was about 10 or 11,” he says. “Then I started going to competitions at 12 or 13 and doing well in them.”

Those early successes were the first sign he had talent. Still, it took a few more years before he truly realised he had the potential to reach the top. “Probably the first few competitions where I went to and started doing really well, that’s when I thought I’m actually half decent.”

Around sixteen or seventeen, the penny finally dropped. “Playing on the Development Tour at 16 or 17, competing with some of the great players, you know you can compete.”

Like so many youngsters, Manby had several interests. Football, cricket, pool — they all came along. But in the end, darts won out. “Kids go through spells, don’t they — football, cricket, darts, pool — but darts got to a point where I thought I need to start doing this a lot more to try and get better and be where I want to be.”

Remarkably, his parents fully supported that choice. “Whatever I wanted to do, they were happy with and wanted me to do it well. They just helped me along the way from a younger age.”

The life of a professional dart player is less casual than many people think. Manby outlines a tight and deliberate practice routine. His day starts relatively early, after which he immediately puts the focus on his game.

“I’ll wake up fairly early, then go down, make some breakfast and have a 45-minute practice,” he explains. “I do it in spells because when you’re playing a game of darts it very rarely lasts over 45 minutes.”

Between those sessions he takes planned breaks to mimic the rhythm of tournaments. “That’s what it’s like having gaps in between games as well.”

In total, he practices around three hours a day. He also uses modern tools such as the Omni system. “I’m playing little practice routines and games on there that help you out. It’s really addictive.”

One of the most striking aspects of Manby’s game is his demeanour on the big stage. During his World Championship run, he seemed barely affected by nerves. While many debutants struggle under pressure, Manby appeared to thrive.

“I like the big stage events. I think it brings the best out of me,” he admits.

That’s interesting, because the contrast with smaller events is stark. At Q School — where players can earn their PDC Tour Card — it’s quiet, almost clinical. Only one companion per player is allowed and there’s hardly any crowd. “It’s silent as well… coming straight off a crowd with 3,000 people, it’s very different.”

Still, he sees value in both environments. “If it’s just you and the dartboard and you’re just playing your darts, you can perform the same.”

According to Manby, a large part of success is in the mind. “I think a lot of it is in your head… I’d say a third of it is definitely mental, especially when you’re playing at a top level.”

Besides mental strength, practice remains essential. “A lot of practice as well.”

Manby already has an impressive record to his name: the highest average ever on the PDC Development Tour — a staggering 130.7. Yet he remains grounded about it. “It’s quite good… but it was only over four legs, so I think it’s definitely beatable.”

Remarkably, he has never hit an official nine-darter in a match, though he has come close. “I’ve never hit one in a game… I’ve missed double 12 a few times.”

With his talent, mentality, and growing experience, Charlie Manby’s future looks promising. The combination of natural ability and professional guidance makes him a player to watch.

His goals are clear: “To get to the final of big competitions and become world champion — that’s the plan.”

If he continues on his current trajectory, it seems only a matter of time before he firmly joins the world elite. One thing is certain: the darts world has a new top talent — and his name is Charlie Manby.