Stephen Bunting looks for fan support to see off Peter Wright as he ...

Stephen Bunting hopes The Bunting Army can carry him past Peter Wright and onto the history books.

The Bullet faces Snakebite tonight aiming to join Phil Taylor, John Part and Raymond van Barneveld on an elite list. Bunting could become just the fourth player to win both the BDO and PDC World crowns if he lifts the trophy on Friday. He said: “It’d be massive. Obviously when I first came over to the PDC and I was having that great run, the first of the year, and people said: Oh, you could win the PDO and the PDC in the same year. That would have been special, but listen, to win any world title is always special and the BDO title will always sit fondly in my memory.

“But if I can add this title to that class, I’d be really happy. I’ve definitely got the game to do it, but there’s still a few hurdles to jump, but I’m prepared to jump them. I’m playing the best I’ve ever played. You look at the fan base, it’s unbelievable, my social media’s just flying up and when you listen to that crowd.”

Bunting’s fans have lifted him in the tournament and he said: “When you’re up on that stage, there’s no hiding, it’s a lonely place, if things don’t go right, there’s only you to blame. But when you’re up there and you’ve got 3,000, 4,000, whatever it may be in the venue all shouting your name, you know for a fact that your opponent must be hearing that and maybe it affects them.

“I literally just ride on that crest of a wave and the Bunting Bandwagon goes on. With that fan base, who knows where I can go, but I’m reaching for the top.”

Bunting might have support, but so does his New Year’s Day opponent from inside his own family. He revealed: “My eldest son Toby is his biggest fan. Hopefully he doesn’t wear his Peter Wright shirt!

“I have known Peter for a long time. He sent Toby darts equipment. He is his biggest fan. I am sure he won’t be when we play! I have a good relationship with Peter. I have a lot of respect for what he has done for the sport, being a two-time world champion. But on that oche, it’s about me.

“He’s a good pal, but on that stage,playing for a lot of money, you want to rip his head off. Peter is one of the best players on the planet and I expect him to bring the version of Peter that knocked out Luke {Humphries]. I hope he does.

“It won’t be a rollover. But it doesn’t matter what anybody else does. It’s all about me. Who will the crowd back? They’ll all go Bunting Mental.”