Darts fans joke about 'Project Luke Littler' after sensational win over Raymond van Barneveld

Littler had gone into the contest as the underdog, particularly given he was facing one of the best players in the sport.

But Van Barneveld was powerless to prevent the youngster from charging on.

Sports fans often joke about 'Project Mbappe'.

That means getting their child playing football from a young age so they can make millions and retire their parents.

And darts fans have now boycotted the saying and are hoping to start 'Project Luke Littler' instead.

"Luke Littler. Forget Project Mbappe, it's Project Littler. Kebab meat dinners only for my first son," one user joked.

"Project Luke Littler! Lets go," said a second.

A third stated: "Scrap project Mbappe, I’ll be starting project Luke Littler with me first born son."

"F**k project mbappe that’s too much effort. I’m staying in the pub and doing project Luke Littler," said a fourth.

A fifth fan said: "If Project Mbappe doesn’t work with my son it’ll be Project Luke Littler."

A sixth quipped: "Project Mbappe is no more it’s now project Luke Littler."

And a seventh joked: "Project Luke Littler (soon)."

Littler could have been forgiven for allowing his success at Ally Pally to get to him.

But the teenager remains grounded and admitted he was delighted after consigning Van Barneveld to defeat.

"Unbelievable. I just… I dunno what to say," he said.

"I went 2-0 up, I went 3-0 up, then I said to my family, 'Three legs away and I’m over the line.'

"And… I’ve done it.

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"At the end he said, 'You can go all the way, I hope you go all the way' and he said 'thank you'.

"He’s a true gentleman, Raymond, and I respect him very well."

Littler's father, Anthony, has said he's incredibly proud of his son's achievements.

"I can't believe it. He just beat a legend. I don't know what to say," he said.

"He used to watch Barney when he was three and he's just beat him - it's crazy!

"On his day he could do [go all the way]. He's got a good a chance as anyone."

Littler is next in action against Brendan Dolan on New Year's Day.