It's all about darts for Alfie

It is not often you get to meet your heroes, but one Black Country youngster has gone a step further by playing them at their own sport.

Darts stars Wayne Mardle and Adrian Lewis are admired by millions across the country and the world, and four-year-old Alfie "Double Top" Galloway has hit the bullseye by taking them all on at the oche. The schoolboy has also competed against Terry Jenkins, John Part, Andy Hamilton, Wayne Jones, Pat Orreal and Chris Mason.

Now the pupil at Rosedale Infants, in Willenhall, is aiming to pursue a dream of becoming a professional in the future.

Alfie, of Silverstone Close, Bentley, shot to prominence in 2007 when he featured in the Express & Star for his sharp throwing.

He has now built up his own army of fans in the professional circuit. He has managed to meet them through contacts of his mother, Kerry Stanton, who previously worked at the Darts Academy in Dunstall, Wolverhampton.

His most recent game came against Mardle at the Peace Memorial Hall, in Penkridge, earlier this month to raise more than £200 for the County Air Ambulance.

Kerry said: "They all love Alfie and think he is brilliant, especially Wayne Mardle and Adrian Lewis. The way he throws, they think, is brilliant for his age.

"Before he plays them he is a bit nervous, but gets excited when he is on the stage. When he got into darts at a young age we though he may grow out of it.

"But he still enjoys it and practices a couple of hours each day, and it is his dream to become a professional. He has started throwing the full distance. He has got a folder with pictures of him and the players which he treasures."

Alfie, whose best score is 137, said: "I have been playing since I was 18 months old.

"I really enjoy it and I want to be professional."