Luke Littler reveals the advice Sir Alex Ferguson gave his dad after meeting legendary Man Utd manager
LUKE LITTLER is keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite his whirlwind 12 months, and it could be in part thanks to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Littler, who turned 18 on Tuesday, has been crowned World Darts Champion, won BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and pocketed over £1.5MILLION in prize money since bursting onto the scene in December 2023.
So it’s no surprise that the teenager has needed a good support circle to keep his head screwed on properly.
However it’s not just his close family and friends that have helped him along the way, but also iconic football manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Littler, who is a huge Manchester United fan, met the 13-time Premier League winning manager last year at Old Trafford after his first crack at the World Darts Championship saw him reach the final.
And in typical Fergie fashion the Scot didn’t just pose for a picture and say congratulations, but made sure to impart some wisdom on a rising star.
Littler revealed in an interview with the Daily Mail: “When I met Sir Alex Ferguson, I think he told my dad to keep me grounded.”
He added: “My mum and dad told me to keep the friends I have. Give it a few years and I may meet someone along the way.
“I have a couple of good friends from school and a few friends from different schools.
“They are doing well. They have apprenticeships, at Asda or McDonald’s, or want to be plumbers or electricians. All have good jobs and are trying to make money for themselves.”
Littler can’t remember much of what Ferguson said to him directly, but not because he was startstruck, but instead because he couldn’t understand his thick Scottish accent.
Speaking to the Telegraph last month, Littler explained: “I didn’t really understand him. I did hear him say, ‘stick at it’.”
That’s exactly what Littler has done, kept his head down and stayed focused on winning.
So much so that he’s ignoring the line of girls that are vying for his attention and blowing up his phone since his split from ex-girlfriend Eloise Milburn.
Littler told the Mail: “Extra attention comes with me winning the world title and certain reporting restrictions are lifted at the age of 18 so that will have an impact.
“And if I keep winning, I’m not making it easier for myself, am I?
“I have had a few requests from girls to meet up, but I generally don’t reply.
“It’s just people looking at me and the money I am making, and they want part of that.”
Besides, Littler is more used to rubbing shoulders with the elite these days, explaining that he’s been playing Fifa with Wayne Rooney, zooming around Silverstone with Lando Norris and hanging out with the Manchester United first team.
He added: “I spoke to Wayne [Rooney] when we were playing Fifa one time.
“He was fine. He asked: ‘Is Luke there?’ because I wasn’t talking. This was at the start of last year. I was thinking: ‘I can’t talk to Wayne Rooney’. But then off we went in the end.
“When I am with the Formula One guys – Lando Norris drove me around Silverstone last year on a hot lap and I follow the sport after that experience, and then I was nervous – or the Manchester United squad, I still feel awestruck.”