Charlie Manby, the 20-year-old English darts talent, has signed a contract with Target Darts, a major milestone in his burgeoning career. In an interview with talkSPORT, Manby expressed his excitement, stating, "To be connected with them is absolutely huge." He credited his parents and a management company for guiding his development, saying, "It started with my mum and dad, but then I got a management company a couple of years ago, and they've pushed me in the right direction, so I'm really grateful for that."
Manby's journey began in a local pub with his dad at age 10 or 11, and he started competing at 12 or 13. He realized his potential during early competitions, noting, "Probably the first few competitions where I went to and started doing really well, that's when I thought I'm actually half decent." By 16 or 17, playing on the Development Tour confirmed his ability to compete with top players. Despite interests in football, cricket, and pool, darts became his focus, with his parents fully supporting his choice.
As a professional, Manby follows a structured daily routine, waking up early, having breakfast, and practicing for 45-minute spells to mimic tournament gaps, totaling around three hours a day. He uses tools like the Omni system for practice routines, describing it as "really addictive." On stage, he thrives in big events, saying, "I like the big stage events. I think it brings the best out of me," though he adapts to quieter settings like Q School, where crowds are minimal.
Manby emphasizes mental strength as key to success, estimating that "a third of it is definitely mental, especially when you're playing at a top level," alongside extensive practice. He holds the highest average ever on the PDC Development Tour at 130.7, but remains humble, noting it was "only over four legs" and "definitely beatable." Remarkably, he has never hit an official nine-darter in a match, revealing, "I've never hit one in a game... I've missed double 12 a few times." His ambitions are clear: "To get to the final of big competitions and become world champion — that's the plan."
