"There’s certain referees who think it’s about them" - George Noble sends parting shot as legendary PDC career ends with World Darts Championship final

George Noble spent thirty years on the biggest darts stages in the world, but always with one clear mission: to be as invisible as possible. For the 56-year-old Englishman, nicknamed The Puppy, that is exactly what refereeing is about. After the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace, between Luke Littler and Gian van Veen, Noble officially hung up his microphone.

Noble began his career with the BDO and made his name at Lakeside, where he officiated every World Championship final between 1995 and 2007. In 2007 he moved to the PDC.

Two years later he was the one who announced darts history when Raymond van Barneveld hit the first ever PDC nine-darter at Alexandra Palace, against Jelle Klaasen.

In 2010 another milestone followed, when Phil Taylor produced two nine-darters in one match in the Premier League final against James Wade, once again under Noble’s watch.

Yet he will never brag about it. “Listen, your best compliment you can have is when a player goes: ‘Did you ref my game?’" Noble says in an interview with The Sun. “That’s the best compliment you can have, because you don’t want them to notice you. It’s not about you."

According to Noble, that’s exactly the difference between a good and a bad referee. “I won’t name the names, but there’s certain referees who think it’s about them. And they want to be famous,” he says. “I’ve never wanted to be famous. And I think that if you’re able to keep that as your motto, you just get on with what you’re doing."

Making mistakes is part of it, he acknowledges. “Anyone can make mistakes, but I’ve never courted publicity. Never. And I don’t think I’m built like that.” The fact that he still gets recognized sometimes remains awkward for Noble. “My wife thinks it’s highly hilarious when someone asks me for an autograph, because she knows I get embarrassed. Even 30 years in, it’s not something I’m used to."

Noble says no one comes to the Worlds to see the referee. “I’m pretty confident no-one’s ever bought a ticket to come to the World Championship to watch the referee,” he says dryly. “Know your place. You get paid to do a job. As long as you can do your job properly, and you deserve to get paid for it, then great."

That philosophy has guided him throughout his career. No theatrical calls, no conspicuous presence. “You don’t have to be the star of the show. You don’t have to make controversial decisions. Just let the game flow.”

After his retirement, Noble is focusing fully on the MODUS Super Series, which he co-founded during the Covid period. There he sees up close how quickly darts is developing, especially at the lower end of the age pyramid.

“I actually think that the average age of the top-16 players inside the decade will be way under 25 from what I’ve seen," Noble predicts. “Some of these young players are fantastic. There’s a kid who plays down at the Super Series, called Jayden Walker, he’s 13, he smashes in 100 averages."

Noble says the influx is no coincidence. “There’s a conveyor belt with them. It’s only a matter of time. And how they prepare for matches will change," he continues. “Prize money is going through the roof. Parents can take their child to an academy and it doesn’t cost a lot."

That sets darts apart from many other sports. “It’s not like buying a set of golf clubs. It’s not like trying to get into a tennis club. It’s much more accessible for young children to go along.

He sees Luke Littler’s success as a logical outcome. “Luke Littler is a millionaire already at 18. The future is there. The gamble will be massive globally,” Noble concludes.