Darts star Luke Humphries dons Leeds United outfit in stunning First Direct Arena entrance
Leeds United fan and world darts champion Luke Humphries got a stunning reception at the First Direct Arena on Thursday night as he played his first-ever event at the venue.
Humphries marked the occasion by wearing a special Leeds inspired shirt, moving away from his 'Cool Hand Luke' attire, as well as changing up his walk-on music as well.
Normally, the 29-year-old would come out to DNCE's Cake by the Ocean.' To the jubilation of the Yorkshire crowd he instead opted on Thursday for another home favourite, walking on to Kaiser Chiefs hit 'I Predict a Riot.'
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He had played it coy when asked before the night, saying, "I can't confirm or deny." His choice to make the change paid off though.
In front of a lively crowd he was cheered onto the stage in the fourth quarter-final before his match against Rob Cross. With the fans joining in to sing the lyrics along with the music, it made for quite the atmosphere.
The spectators erupted into noise as he walked through the arena, taking time to touch the hands of some. Once on stage he geed them up a bit more, asking for more louder cheers as well as chanting the words himself.
Humphries is a huge Leeds fan and had already qualified for the finals night before he demolished Cross. Regardless of the win, he had already admitted it was about trying to enjoy the event at his home venue.
“It will be the most special Premier League night yet for me. I’ve been looking forward to this one more than any of them. It would also be a very special feeling to win.
"The pressure is off me now having qualified for the O2. I will look forward to enjoying it but really hungry to win as well. My mum, dad, brother and girlfriend will all be there. Especially for my dad and brother, it will be special because they are Leeds fans as well.
"It’s going to be good to see the reception I get in Leeds. I’m sure it will be emotional. If I win it will be right up there with my first major win and obviously winning the Worlds. It won’t be as good but it will be up there.
“I just know the feeling of winning in a city so close to my heart would be incredible. It would mean a lot. But regardless of the result, I’m just looking forward to performing in Leeds.”
He is hoping to have success in the coming weeks that is matched by Daniel Farke's side in the play-offs, too. “If we can both get through the play-offs and I can win the Premier League and they can get promoted to the Premier League, it would be the perfect double in my eyes," he said.
"That’s the dream over the next couple of weeks. I’ve got a lot of people coming to support me. Most of the backroom staff at Leeds United, a few of the players are on my guest list.
“They don’t need the tickets but it’s nice for me to have them on my table. Leeds are good to me. They give me tickets whenever I want to go to Elland Road, there’s definitely no problem returning the favour.”