Fans react mixed
Ex-Bundesliga professional booed and celebrated at the Darts World Cup
12/30/2025 – 7:27 a.mReading time: 1 min.
The next Tottenham professional has appeared at the Darts World Cup. Micky van de Ven received an uncomfortable reception – and felt his fans at the same time.
Bizarre moment on Monday evening at the Darts World Cup at Alexandra Palace in London: In the fourth round match between the Englishman James Hurrell and his compatriot Ryan Searle (0:4), another athlete suddenly came into focus. He was then greeted with mixed feelings by the fans in attendance.
What had happened? Football professional Micky van de Ven from Tottenham Hotspur was shown on the screen in the hall. As with his teammate James Maddison the day before, boos from the audience were initially directed at him. But unlike Maddison, shortly afterwards several Tottenham fans sang a song for the Dutchman. They chanted van der Ven’s name to the tune of “Give it Up” by KC and the Sunshine Band. Peter Wright is also regularly celebrated with this melody.
Van de Ven, who is under contract with Spurs until 2029, played in the Bundesliga for VfL Wolfsburg from 2021 to 2023. He then moved to England. The 24-year-old later saw Ryan Searle book his first quarter-final ticket.