Luke Humphries showed his class as he responded to Leicester darts fans taunting him over Leeds at the World Grand Prix with grace.
After losing to Mike De Decker 6-4 at the Leicester venue on Sunday night in the final, the fans inside the Morningside Arena showed no mercy by chanting 'Leeds are falling apart again' after the two clubs forged a deep rivalry in the Championship last season.
Humphries, who is a massive Whites fan and had just lost a huge final and his World Grand Prix crown, showed remarkable grace to respond in good humour.
He cupped his ear to the crowd as if to ask them to chant louder with a big smile on his face, lifting his runners-up trophy up.
Luke Humphries bantered with the fans after losing the World Grand Prix
Sky Sports
It is quite a change in mood for the world No. 1, who only earlier in the tournament had lambasted fans for their taunts.
“Let’s leave football at home, we’re at the darts now,” Humphries told SportsBoom after his victory over Stephen Bunting in the second round.
“I support Leeds [United], everyone knows that, but let's leave the football chants at home.
"We are darts players, we're not footballers.
“If I'm in a football field and Leeds are playing against whoever and they're chanting it to me whilst I’m there, then I'll accept it, love it, and embrace it but it's just constant.”
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Of course, that only put a bigger target on his back and the chants grew louder and louder with every passing game as Humphries made his way to the final to try defend his World Grand Prix crown.
But there was a knowing smile on the 29-year-old's face as he turned to the crowd to jeer them back - this is the price you pay for success.
Yes, he might have lost on Sunday night after a stunning performance from De Decker - his first televised tournament victory.
Luke Humphries seemed to enjoy the taunts from the fans
Sky Sports
But there will be many more finals to come for Humphries, whose stunning 12 months have seen him become a world champion, top ranked player in the world and arguably the new face of darts - alongside Luke Littler.
There is still a long way to go before he can be compared to Michael van Gerwen and his period of domination over the last decade or so, and even further to be mentioned alongside Phil Taylor.
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Humphries has fun with the fans 👂 pic.twitter.com/vOVzGl2agQ
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) October 13, 2024
However, Humphries is the whole package - he can hit the 180s consistently, he can finish legs off from any position and his doubles are wickedly accurate.
Cool Hand Luke is here to stay, no matter what drunken darts fans try and throw at him on the oche.
