Remembering Jocky Wilson! One of a Kind!

Hi Guys

I thought i would take the opportunity to pay tribute and provide a few links to one of the greatest and most popular darts player's of all time. The legend that is the 2x World Champion John Thomas 'Jocky' Wilson!

Irrefutable proof that you don't need a Ted Hankey smooth throw Wilson's style defied physics and yet he was a big scorer and hit the big out shots, proving yet again that with enough determination you can make anything work for you.

Wilson was part of the holy trinity of 1980-1990 darts with Eric Bristow and John Lowe and beat Lowe for his first World title in 1982 and Bristow in 1989.

82 vs Lowe:
https://youtu.be/2YRIP60cusg

89 vs Bristow

https://youtu.be/eMI5Zqi5hHU

It wasnt just the World titles that Jocky won though. He also won:

British Professional x 4 (a record)
British Matchplay x 2
Scottish Masters x 3

among many others.

One of the most popular darts players ever Wilson even had a computer game baring his name on the most popular game systems of the time:

Unfortunately Wilson despite only being late thirties he was unable to carry his magic into the 1990's. The change in darts (no drinking or smoking on stage) altered the dynamic of the game and this noticeably impacted Wilson's effectiveness on the oche although he did reach the PDC Matchplay quarter final's in 1994.

His last appearance in the World Championship was in 1995 here against John Lowe:

https://youtu.be/XPBeWmZb6VA

Jocky never formally retired, he just stopped playing in 1996  (and no footage seems to exist after then) aged 45 (a diagnosis of diabetes thought to be a contributing factor as it curtailed his alcohol consumption) and disapeared into a reclusive state back in Scotland.

There are many rumours that he still played darts in Scotland after his retirement but there has never been any evidence. A sole interview in 2001:

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/more-in-sport/jocky-wilson-the-final-interview-1-2196429

is his last known public interview and all the darts world were left with.

Sadly 'Jocky' passed away in 2012 due to ill health aged just 2 days after his 62nd birthday.

check out these 2 excellent videos on his career and life:

documentary of his life:

https://youtu.be/rF3T0OEQP2Q

PDC profile:

https://youtu.be/xEU7NkWi1EU

He truly was an enigma, and was and is still missed now

Luke