Luke Littler’s influence is spreading far and wide.

The two-times world champion has taken the darts world by storm over the past couple of years and his impact is certainly being felt in Cheltenham.

That’s the view of Paul Fazackarley, the captain of Somerset Arms who play in the Cheltenham League.

“We were down to 14 teams in the league last season, now we’re up to 18 and we’ve got another six wanting to join,” he said.

“If you go to a pub on a Friday evening, there’s always someone on the darts board, young kids playing or couples playing.

“That’s the Luke Littler effect, he’s the most refreshing thing that’s happened to the sport for a long time.”

Fazackarley, who is 54, has been playing darts competitively for the past two decades.

“I’ve been throwing darts at a board since I was 10, it was fun,” he said. “I used to play with a couple of mates.”

Fazackarley, who is Leckhampton born and bred, initially played for The Five Alls when he first played in the Cheltenham League.

“I used to play in a heavy metal band, I was the lead guitarist,” he said. “We’d practise on a Wednesday evening and when we’d finished I used to go to The Five Alls.

“The darts team played on Wednesdays and I thought that looks a good laugh, so I switched the rehearsal night so I could play with them!”

He’s been playing for the Somerset Arms for the past 10 years or so and has been captain for the past four.

They play in Division One of the Cheltenham League – there are two divisions – after winning the Division Two title in 2023/24.

Matches are played on Wednesday evenings – teams require a minimum of six players – and Fazackarley said: “There are a lot of good players. A lot compete in the mid-70s average and they’ve got gears to go up.”

There are 10-12 players in the Somerset Arms squad and they enjoy their sport.

“Fun is the key,” continued Fazackarley. “Like all team sport, it’s about the camaraderie. Team sport gives you the opportunity to meet people you wouldn’t otherwise meet.”

The Somerset Arms also have a ladies’ team who play in the Cheltenham Ladies’ Darts League, and Fazackarley added: “Dave Rawlinson, the landlord of the Somerset, looks after us very well, he’s brilliant.”