Darts superstar Michael van Gerwen vows to never turn into a big-time Charlie like some of his footballing friends
The PDC world darts champion - who regulalry speaks to former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie - vows to remain a 'normal guy' as he throws some arrows with SunSport's Rob Maul
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN knows plenty of footballers but the darts superstar says he will never act like one and turn into a Premier League Big-Time Charlie.
The PDC world darts champion regularly speaks over text messages with the likes of Dutch footballer Robin van Persie, formerly of Man Utd and Arsenal and now at Turkish club Fenerbahce, and AZ Alkmaar defender Ron Vlaar.
Arguably since winning the world crown last month Van Gerwen has eclipsed his football friends and become a bigger star than his fellow countrymen. A crowd of 4,000 greeted his arrival home after winning the Sid Waddell trophy on January 2. Even the Dutch Prime Minister rang him to congratulate his second world crown.
Keep up to date with ALL the SPORT news, gossip, plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
The PSV fan is only 27 years old and yet his many successes on the oche have secured prize money of £4.46m.
But MVG – who often uses budget airline easyJet between events in the UK and his family home in the Holland – is adamant he will always be humble and not acted like some footballer divas.
related articles
Van Gerwen said: “I am a darts player first and foremost. But I am also a normal guy.
“I walk around at home in my training tracksuit bottoms. I have not been changed by all the money.
“Darts players are not using private jets to events. Well not yet anyway!
“I will often text footballers and not darts players.
“What footballers do I know? Robin van Persie and Ron Vlaar are friends. Everyone knows we have played them before. And in fact they are not bad players at darts.”
Van Gerwen will face Peter “Snakebit” Wright on Thursday night in Nottingham on the second night of the 16-week Premier League darts.
He is currently on a 38-match unbeaten winning streak in TV tournaments – his last defeat in front of the cameras coming against Phil Taylor on September 25 in the final of the Unibet Champions League of Darts.
To many, his famous fluorescent green darts shirt is now a familiar sight within the world of sport.
Perhaps almost as recognisable to some as the Tour de France Yellow Jersey or the colours of the Holland national team.
SunSport man Rob Maul doesn’t have a sporting bone in his body. But he came close to doing what few men have done this year and actually beat PDC world darts champion Michael van Gerwen
Come along, new PDC sponsors Just Eat said. A few beers. Some pizza. A pub in central London. Oh, and a casual game of darts. Nothing too stressful.
Then the big catch. The ‘leg’ of darts would not be against some part-time amateur. No, it was against the world no.1 and seemingly unstoppable Michael van Gerwen. The man who had dominated darts throughout 2016. The man who regularly reels off 10 or 11-dart legs.
Having covered MVG win a second world title at Ally Pally just a month earlier, I knew first hand how good he was. His performances over the past 12 months, in which he won 27 tournaments, have set standards never seen before in the sport.
Understandably, my initial fear in a room full of 40 people was one of total embarrassment. I worried I might not even hit the board. I hadn't played for years. I was worried I would let the Sun team down and be afraid to show my face in the office.
My first three darts totalled 10. Rubbish. Then a 60. Which was slight improvement.
Thankfully MVG had hardly warmed up for the cameras. His hand was far too loose. At one point he even no-scored on 100. Okay, he was hardly throwing in second gear but this gave me a brief chance of an upset.
Eventually I got down to 26 left from a 301 (MVG had a 501 handicap). Three darts. The chance to put one over the world champion. Bragging rights. Everybody was watching. and waiting.
Yet when my moment came, I cracked under the pressure. The doubles were missed. Nowhere near the double 13. Essentially I choked.
MVG took out double one with his next throw and with it the victory. My chance of glory was blown.
Probably best I stick to the beers and pizzas going forward. And leave the darts to the professionals.
Van Gerwen, the world No.1, said: “Maybe my shirt is becoming iconic. Maybe. Hopefully my shirt will sell a lot like the others.
“I wouldn’t say people are intimidated by my shirt. But when they face me, they are already one leg behind.
“Playing well really helps me. It gives me an advantage. It also brings the pressure. You always need to perform.
“Maybe the word rockstar is a big word to describe what has happened to me since winning the world title. But I am doing really well and promoting my own image.
“I hope I can keep doing what I am good at. I enjoy what I am doing right now.
“No-one sits still in sport. If you look at the averages, there are good people there. Darts has grown massively.
“You cannot let yourself down anymore. If you give your opponent a finger, then they take your whole hand and body.”
Just Eat is a new official partner of the Professional Darts Corporation. Just Eat is the world’s leading marketplace for food delivery. Order online at or on the Just Eat app.