A Warrington landlady is hoping her pub will be a lucky charm for local lad and darts sensation Luke Littler in tonight’s World Championship final, not least because his brother works at the venue.
Lisa Leyland, landlady of The Millhouse, Warrington
Luke’s brother, bar tender Leon, aged 20, together with many proud locals, cheered on the teenage star from The Millhouse during his semi-final victory over Rob Cross.
He was at the same spot in the Joseph Holt-owned pub to watch 16-year-old Luke thrash Brendan Dolan 5-1 in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day. The Millhouse is near the Littler family’s home in Padgate.
Now Lisa Leyland, who has been running the Millhouse for the last five years, is hoping it will be third time lucky as staff and customers gather at the pub to root for record-breaking Luke.
“The Millhouse is a proper ‘local’ pub since we really are at the heart of the community,” said Lisa. “So Luke’s stunning performance is particularly close to us all, not least because Leon works here, too, and we’ve been watching Luke’s success together.
“We feel like an extra lucky charm. The atmosphere is always warm and friendly here, but it has been absolutely electric and fantastic during Luke`s matches. We’re really hoping we’ll be the lucky charm for Luke, though we’re sure he’ll win.”
“It’s not clear yet whether Leon will be travelling to London’s ‘Ally Pally’ to see his brother play since he and partner Katie have a new baby, George. Otherwise, he’ll be taking his place at the pub to watch the final.
Leon has spoken of how the sport has always been his brother’s first love, and said the support of his dad, Anthony, a taxi driver, and mum, Lisa, who works in a scented candle shop, was key.
“He’d play darts whenever he could — sometimes just stopping for a meal before starting again. If Mum and Dad tried to take the darts away from him, there’d be a real scene, with him crying loudly.”
Lisa added: “Luke’s performance has been absolutely brilliant, and we are all so proud of what he has achieved. But it`s all the more special to watch him in action from the pub which lies in the heart of the community he knows so well.”
