I’m a bricklayer working for girlfriend’s dad by day… by night I’m World Darts Championship star gunning for £1m prize
CEMENT CHARLIE Manby by day, Champagne Charlie at night.
Huddersfield’s darts debutant leads a dual life where he works as a bricklayer during the week and then competes on the oche at weekends.
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Charlie Manby is still working as a bricklayer despite shooting to stardom at the World Darts ChampionshipCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
His boss is the father of his girlfriend – who came to support him at Ally PallyCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Manby – a close pal of Luke Littler – is only 20 years old but he could earn a PDC Tour Card if he makes the quarter-finals where there is £100,000 on offer.
As he has shown on the MODUS Darts circuit and Development Tour, he is one of the most exciting youngsters around.
But he cannot yet afford to give up the day job – in fact, he was working on a building site in-between the first and second round, starting at 8am.
And Manby, whose nickname is Champagne, cannot take a day off sick because his boss is girlfriend’s DAD.
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The Yorkshireman said: “I’m not working over Christmas. But I went into work on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday last week.
“It was all good. Most of the lads had been down here with me anyway, so they enjoyed it and they had a good time.
“It’s a family-based business. They’ve helped me out. The sponsor on the back of the shirt, GBV (Construction). They’ve done a lot for me.
“They’re top class for me and they still see me at work as Charlie Manby, not this champagne Charlie Manby on stage. It’s completely different.
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“We have got a young apprentice now, who’s 18, so he gets all the rubbish jobs!
“I don’t worry about my hands at work. You know, the more you think about it, the more it’s going to happen.
“So if you don’t think about it and crack on with what you’re doing, then it’s not going to happen.
“My boss is also my girlfriend’s dad. He’s actually the one that suggested that he’ll sort tickets out because I can’t be bothered with people messaging me left, right and centre.
“He’s been really good. He’s just top quality. I’m not a professional darts player. My main income for the past three years has been bricklaying. It’s as simple as that.
“I’m self-employed. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. If I have the opportunity to work, I’ll work. I’m not work shy.
Manby can’t afford to give up his day job but could make £100,000 if he makes the quartersCredit: Getty
“You look at all the people coming through who might not have worked a day in their life. I’m not like that. I just want to crack on. I love going to work and I enjoy it.”
Manby – who already has got £35,000 from his two maiden Ally Pally wins – looked like a natural on stage and jumped around and celebrated like a veteran.
This Christmas will be a very special one, though he knows he cannot eat and drink too much as he is up against Ricky Evans in the next round.
Manby said: “Obviously it might have to be a bit different this year. Normally it’d be Christmas Eve, just a few steady ones with family.
“Christmas Day, at my house, grandma and grandad, my missus and then people come round.
“Then Boxing Day, just go and see your mates and just enjoy it really. I want it to stay as simple as possible really. I don’t want to force things, I just want to do everything the same really.
“I want to see my family, I want to see my friends, I want to have a good time.
“It’s going to be hard and different now, but I want to keep everything as grand as possible.”
