Charlie Manby is looking ahead with confidence after securing a two-year PDC Tour Card at UK Qualifying School, completing a remarkable rise that began with his eye-catching World Darts Championship debut last December. The 20-year-old sealed his status in Milton Keynes by winning six consecutive matches on the final day, capping a week defined by resilience and composure under pressure.
Entering the closing stages of Final Stage, Manby knew he needed results. He responded in style, defeating darting icon Steve Beaton to guarantee a Tour Card via the rankings before going a step further. Victories over elite opposition, including a 6-2 semi-final win against Mervyn King, earned him one of the outright Tour Cards on offer.
“It feels amazing, I think all the hard work has finally paid off,” Manby said after his breakthrough. Reflecting on the emotional toll of earlier setbacks, he added: “I played well and lost – it was a bit heartbreaking… but I knew I had the ability to do it, and the last couple of days have showed that.”
Despite entering Q School as one of the favourites following his Alexandra Palace run, Manby remained focused on his own standards rather than external expectations. “If I’m putting pressure on myself, that’s when I should be worried,” he explained, highlighting his growing maturity on the oche.
With experience at Players Championship events and success on the Development Tour already behind him, Manby now looks forward to regular competition against the world’s best. “I play better against better players too,” he noted.
Buoyed by belief and momentum, the Huddersfield-based thrower summed up his ambition simply: “Everyone always said to me, the sky is the limit… I want to do all sorts in this sport.”
Source: PDC.TV
