I was invited to Leeds and lost to Jamie Shackleton… but I won’t go on Elland Road pitch until I’m PDC World Champion

AFTER Luke Humphries won the World Grand Prix in October, his breakthrough career moment, Leeds United got in touch.

Though he grew up in Berkshire, Cool Hand Luke’s family are mad Leeds fans, particularly his dad.

Luke Humphries won the World Darts Grand Prix in OctoberREX

He was invited to Elland Road – the home of his beloved Leeds United – after the winREX

GETTYBut he’s refusing to step on the pitch until he becomes PDC World champ[/caption]

Their passion for football explains why the world No3 was given his Christian name – L(eeds) U(nited) K(ings of) E(urope) – more than 28 years ago.

Humphries was invited up to Yorkshire to meet the manager Daniel Farke and throw some darts with the players – we won’t mention the fact he was beaten in one game by midfielder Jamie Shackleton!

And the invite also extended to parading his first TV major on the hallowed Elland Road turf.

Yet Humphries declined the offer, saying: “I thanked them and said I’d like to wait until I win the world title. And we can do that then.”

Some may see that as arrogance but it is nothing of the slightest – just supreme confidence in his abilities that he will become one day a winner of the PDC World Darts Championship.

Since that visit to his boyhood club, Humphries has dominated the oche landscape, lifting the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton and Players Championship Final in Minehead.

That’s three big trophies within the space of 50 days – not to mention £390,000 banked in prize money.

It is why sponsors Paddy Power have made him the favourite for the Sid Waddell Trophy at odds of 10/3.

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GettyLuke Humphries is Paddy Power’s favourite to win the Sid Waddell trophy[/caption]

His overnight success has been four years in the making ever since he became PDC world youth champion.

After changing his diet through Covid and losing a significant amount of weight, Humphries found love with a new partner and the couple have two children together.

His talent and consistency was honed on European Tour and ProTour events off stage and away from the cameras.

Three times he has reached the quarter-finals of Ally Pally – can he go even further this time and justify his lofty status among the bookies?

Only Michael van Gerwen (24), Adrian Lewis (25) and Rob Cross (27) have won the PDC world crown younger than Humphries is now.

Humphries said: “As much as everybody thinks I’m going to win this or that, we’re in an era in this sport which isn’t dominated by one person anymore.

“It’s an era where you can probably pick 10 or 12 people who could win it at Ally Pally.

“If I’m favourite with the bookies, that’s probably because they know I’m a heavy scorer and my doubles are good now.

Luke Humphries is gunning for the PDC World Championship titleREX

“Put those two together and I’m lethal. But it doesn’t make me unbeatable.

“I’m in a good place but, of course, life can throw you curveballs and it can all change in an instant.

“You have to stay positive and enjoy the moment, but it can all come crashing down.

“You’ve got to ride the wave but also be aware that things can change.

“I know it’s not always going to be a bed of roses. You have to prepare for that.

“What I do know is that, over the last two years, I’m confident to say I’ve been one of the most consistent players on the tour.

“Now I’ve won my first major titles, I do feel part of the elite.

“I’ve got the building blocks in place to go on and create major success for myself over the next 10-15 years. But I really want that world title.”