‘Champagne Charlie’ Manby gave an Alexandra Palace reception to remember on Monday after seeing off Cameron Menzies 3-2 to book his place in the second round of the Worlds.
Manby was the talk of the darts as the Yorkshire hurler threw just 47 darts, achieving a staggering average of 130.70 on the Winmau Development Tour in February.
It was the best in the tour’s history, obliterating reigning world champion and good friend Luke Littler’s record of 115.22, but fame soon rattled the 20-year-old.
“I think when you have that kind of stat to your name you have a bit of a target on your back and people have that extra fight in them when they play you to do well and beat you,” admitted Manby, who warmed up for Alexandra Palace by winning the MODUS Super Series.
“I think my confidence dropped a bit after that, so it was just finding your confidence where it needs to be, and I think I managed to do that pretty sharp.
“People play their A-game against you all the time because they just want to beat you. It was just confidence where I think it just dropped a little bit, but I built myself back up.
“Littler has a target on his back too, but he seems to be enjoying it. People are different, aren’t they? Everyone is different in darts. No one is the same.”
Manby’s ability returned as he emerged through a field of 278 players – including Beau Greaves and Tour Card holder Owen Bates in a final stage decider – to win his first Development Tour title in September.
A month later and Manby went toe-to-toe with Littler in arguably one of the greatest games in World Cup history. He came within millimeters of stunning the Warrington teenager in a memorable encounter and was two arrows short of winning the match, including the bull on a 130 attempt.
Manby’s big breakthrough
He headed for north London and the bright lights of the Ally Pally with his form, confidence and reputation on the rise as he prepared to face Scottish star Cameron Menzies in the opening round – not an easy contest in the race to three sets – but one Manby enjoyed on the big stage.
“It’s a bit of a free shot this year, the first time I’ve done it. I’m not looking too far ahead so I’ll just take it one game at a time,” he told Sky Sports.
And on a Monday afternoon to remember, Manby announced himself to the world by defeating Menzies in a five-set epic – fighting back from 1-0 and 2-1 down, averaging 90.62 with five 180s – declaring it “the biggest thing I’ve ever done in darts!”
He later added: “It’s a bit overwhelming, but it felt great up there!”
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Highlights from the Grand Slam of Darts final between Luke Littler and Luke Humphries
Humble beginnings for young Manby
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Wayne Mardle and Mark Webster give their predictions ahead of the World Darts Championship
A bricklayer by trade, Manby works for a construction company in his native Huddersfield and is on the books of Zeal Sports. His talent was first discovered at his local working men’s club when his first tournament came at the age of just 12 as he began to lay the foundations for a future in the sport.
Manby went on to play for Bradford Darts Youth, beating fellow talent Maison Wilson, who became Under-18 Yorkshire Youth Classic Champion aged 12.
“Everyone kind of looked at me and said ‘I’ve never seen him, who is he’? And that’s when I kind of realized, ‘yeah, I can play a bit’,” said Manby, who went on to play at the WDF Youth England Grand Prix before heading to the JDC circuit and then the Development Tour at the age of 16.
“The Developer Tour is definitely the place to be when you start as a young player because you find out where your level is and then you just work on it and progress and progress.”
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From celebratory kebabs to winning his first World Darts Championship title, we look at Littler’s top five moments at Ally Pally!
‘Consistency is the hardest part of the game’
Manby is full of admiration for world No.1 and reigning world champion Luke Littler
It was all about finding consistency with Manby planning to put in the hard yards to take some of the limelight off Littler at Alexandra Palace – he certainly has!
“I think finding that level of consistency is the hardest part of getting there,” he said. “I think if Luke needs to hit a 12-darter to break through, he’s going to hit a 12-darter – it’s as simple as that! He can just turn it on like that and just kill players. There’s a bit of natural ability, but he’s done all the hard work.”
But can Manby reach the same heights as world No.1 Littler? “Luke [Littler] is number one in the world, I understand that. People see him completely differently than I see him.
“I grew up with Luke; I played for England with him and went through all the JDC England events growing up as a really good mate.
“We have a good relationship and it feels good because obviously he’s done what he’s done for the game and I think that’s great.”
“It’s good to know that he knows where I’m at and acknowledges it. And how good a player I am.”
Manby goes by the name ‘Champagne Charlie’, but it’s not a nod to former Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas. It is actually the brainchild of Chris Coles – the manager of his local football club.
“He said, ‘Oh, Champagne Charlie sounds minty. Move on to ‘Champagne Supernova’ and everything! So it just started from there, really.”
Manby will next face the winner of the match between Matt Campbell and Adam Sevada on Monday, December 22, with a chance to further his claim as one of the most exciting prospects in world darts.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live right up until January 3 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel (Sky channel 407 from December 10). Stream darts and more top sports with NU.