AS 2023 comes to a close, we’re taking a month-by-month look at the sporting year that was in Warrington.
On this the final day of the calendar year, we look back at December – a month in which a star was born…
THE final month of 2023 will no doubt be remembered by Warringtonians for the exploits of their teenage darting sensation.
Those well versed in darts both locally and further afield were fully aware of Luke “The Nuke” Littler’s prodigious talent beforehand, but his displays on his World Darts Championship debut have catapulted him into the nation’s hearts.
He became the first 16-year-old to win a match on the Alexandra Palace when he blew away Holland’s Christian Kist in the first round before 20th seed and reigning UK Open champion Andrew Gilding went the same way the following evening as Littler’s stock continued to rise.
In dispatching Canada’s Matt Campbell in the third round, talk of the former Padgate Academy pupil going all the way and winning the tournament got louder and louder as he set up a potential meeting with one of his heroes, Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld, in the last 16.
Before his World Championship run started, there was still time for him to sign off from the Junior Darts Corporation by retaining his world title in that organisation by beating Hungary’s Almos Kovacs.
Elsewhere, December also saw Warrington-born defender Jarell Quansah score his first ever goal for Liverpool.
The former Woolston Rovers junior struck the Reds’ equaliser during their Europa League group stage tie with Union SG, although the Belgian side eventually ran out 2-1 winners.
More locally, Warrington Rylands sent out a big statement that their bid for promotion from the Northern Premier League should be taken seriously as they won 3-2 at league leaders Radcliffe.
Michael Clegg’s second-placed side also ensured their unbeaten away record in league football would stretch into the new year, making them the only club in English football’s top seven tiers yet to be beaten on their travels this season.
Warrington Wolves’ preparations for the new Super League campaign took a different twist, with former “SAS: Who Dares Wins” star Ant Middleton leading them on a two-day military camp to round off their pre-Christmas training.
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