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Van der Voort Calls for Premier League Darts Line-up Change, Cites ‘Too Many Littler Fanboys’
Veteran darts player Vincent van der Voort has voiced his opinion that the Premier League Darts should consider altering its current roster, citing an excess of players he deems to be overly admiring of Luke Littler. Littler, the reigning sensation in the competition, has indeed dominated the league, establishing a commanding lead at the top of the leaderboard. Currently, he holds an eight-point advantage over his competitors and has secured victory in the most recent two events held in Cardiff and Newcastle.
Van der Voort’s Concerns Regarding Player Conduct
Van der Voort’s criticism centers around the perceived overly friendly conduct of some players towards Littler. These players have been observed offering gestures of camaraderie, such as fist-bumps and handshakes, to Littler during matches, seemingly acknowledging his impressive scoring ability. This behavior has reportedly irritated Van der Voort, who contrasts it with players like Dirk van Duijvenbode, suggesting Van Duijvenbode would maintain a consistent level of competitiveness regardless of his opponent.
Podcast Remarks on Player Excitement and Sportsmanship
In a recent appearance on the “Darts Draait Door” podcast, Van der Voort elaborated on his viewpoint:
“In comparison to some of the participants in the league now, I would much prefer to watch Dirk compete. There is always a sense of drama and excitement when he is playing.”
He continued, “Certain players simply participate and present themselves as agreeable individuals, which doesn’t contribute much excitement to the competition. Presently, there are too many individuals acting like ‘Littler fanboys,’ and it would be beneficial to have Dirk involved. He would rise to the occasion to compete against Littler and exert every effort to achieve victory.”
Van der Voort further explained his observation of player interactions with Littler: “For every minor accomplishment, opponents are offering him fist bumps or smiles. Dirk would not engage in such displays, as evidenced at the UK Open.” He noted, “[Van Duijvenbode] did not participate in this year’s tournament, but in prior years, he undoubtedly would have maintained a more competitive demeanor.”
Past Criticisms of Player Friendliness Towards Littler
Notably, Stephen Bunting and Nathan Aspinall previously faced scrutiny for exhibiting excessive friendliness towards Littler during the recent World Darts Championship. Both players engaged in amiable exchanges with the then 18-year-old Littler, who ultimately triumphed over both of them in their respective matches.
Aspinall’s Pledge for Increased Aggression
In response to criticism, Aspinall later publicly stated his intention to adopt a more assertive and ‘aggressive’ approach when competing against Littler in the future.
Aspinall acknowledged, “I generally get along well with most people, but I demonstrated too much respect towards him on that particular occasion.”
He further elaborated, “The only aspect of social media commentary I concur with is the criticism regarding my perceived excessive niceness. I agree with that assessment and am committed to making a conscious effort to rectify it.”
“This adjustment in approach is not solely directed at matches against Luke. I need to ensure that friendships remain confined to the practice area. Once on stage, I must project aggression. Ultimately, my priority is my own performance.”
Aspinall concluded by referencing perceived disloyalty from some acquaintances: “Individuals whom I considered friends have made critical remarks about me. Evidently, they are not true friends. Everyone is ultimately focused on their own self-interest, and that will be my approach this year.”