FARNWORTH thrower Les Fitton is hoping to roll back the years when he competes in the UK Open at the Reebok Stadium on Thursday.

The 44-year-old is a qualifier for the event, dubbed ‘The FA Cup of darts’, but he hopes he can still worry some of the sport’s bigger names.

A clash with world number seven Wayne Mardle awaits Fitton if he can win his first-round match against Swindon qualifier Mark Cox, and the local lad is confident of taking a few scalps over the next few days.

“I am throwing well,” said Fitton, who reached the last 32 of the UK Open in 2003 and 2004.

“I know I can beat the top players. I hammered Phil Taylor 6-1, averaging 102, on the way to winning the 2002 Vauxhall Spring Pro and I hope I can get on a similar roll again. I don’t know much about Cox but, if I can get past him, I’m sure I have a chance against Wayne.

“He has been ill with mumps recently and he is a fast thrower. Both of those things could be to my advantage. I think I am in good form and I am quietly confident of having a good week.

Let’s hope I can get through until Friday — when the big guns come into the draw — and take it from there.”

Being an avid Bolton Wanderers supporter, Fitton admits that competing at the Reebok is a dream come true.

“It means a lot to me,” said Fitton, who plays in the local leagues for the White Boar pub in Radcliffe. “I have been playing for 26 years and it’s great to compete against some of the best players in the world in my own backyard.

"I do a lot of work for charity, in particular St Ann’s Hospice, and it’s a huge incentive for me to do well.”