Who is Luke Littler’s manager Martin Foulds and first coach Karl Holden?

WUNDERKIND Luke Littler is lighting up the world of darts with his astonishing run at Alexandra Palace.

But who are the architects of his meteoric rise to the top?

St Helens Darts Academy co-founder Karl Holden was Luke Littler’s first coach

Who is Luke Littler’s manager Martin Foulds?

Luke Littler‘s manager is Martin Foulds of ZXF Sports management.

Martin also reportedly acts as one of Luke’s mentors — he recently accompanied the sixteen-year-old sensation to a Spurs game where they met James Maddison.

Their relationship began three years ago when Foulds was tipped off about his ability and went to watch him throw.

He intends to help Luke make money — there’s already merchandise available on the market, such as his own set of darts emblazoned with his nickname ‘The Nuke’, selling for £102 on sports websites.

But Foulds has stressed the importance his parents have had in bringing him up.

He said: “Not enough is said about the parents Lisa Chuffy Littler and Anthony Chuffy Buckley who have sacrificed so much for Luke and travelled the world with him to help him achieve his dream.”

Who is Luke Littler’s first coach Karl Holden?

Luke mastered his craft at the St Helens Darts Academy under the tutelage of the club’s co-founder Karl Holden.

Karl told BBC Radio 5 Live: “By the time he was 10 we knew he was too good for his age.

Holden told The Guardian: “He couldn’t play in the PDC or the big time until he was 16, so we just let him enjoy himself and he’s just worked his way through the ranks.

“Before he was 11 we put him in the under-21s, which we didn’t want to because he was only going on 11. Within weeks he was beating the under-21s,” .

“By the time he was 13, there was nothing we could do for him because he was that good,” Holden added.

“He likes a challenge. He has always wanted to play the better players and beat them. He loves showing how good he is, and he is in his element [at the world championships].”

And speaking about his chances in the 2023/24 PDC World Darts Championship, Karl said: “He can win it. We knew he was good enough, we knew that before he started.

“A lot of people in the darts shop were saying ‘who is this Luke Littler?’ but I was saying he’s a good outside chance.

“Many didn’t know who he was, but I think everyone knows who he is now. Every time I put the TV on he is there.”

What is the St Helen’s Dart’s Academy?

St Helens Darts Academy welcomes an average of 90 youth players every Monday evening at the Sidac Social Club, Sutton Leach, St Helens.

The academy is run by volunteers who provide a safe and competitive environment for dart players aged between seven and 18 years.

Speaking of St Helen’s most famous graduates, Holden said: “The likes of Stephen Bunting, Bradley Brooks, Dave Chisnall, Harry Gregory, Luke Littler, and Eleanor Cairns are just a few to name that have already come from the academy.”