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.
![[Photo of Sir Alex Ferguson with a young man.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/luke-littler-old-trafford-instagram-872081925_dc7107.jpg?strip=all&w=768)
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.
![[Luke Littler holding the Sid Waddell Trophy.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/03-01-2025-luke-littler-965227345_438cd6.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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. 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.
![[Luke Littler holding a trophy on a soccer field.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/luke-littler-english-darts-player-964978630_daf615.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"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.".
![[Lando Norris and Luke Littler holding darts.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mclarens-lando-norris-darts-player-914698400.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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’.".
![[Lando Norris and another person in a race car, giving a peace sign.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/lando-norris-great-britain-mclaren-914684965_9aa84d.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
