Darts star Jocky Wilson dies

Sunday, 25 March 2012 18:44

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By Jack Thomson

Jocky Wilson, world darts champion in 1982 and 1989, died on Saturday night aged 62. He had been suffering from the lung disorder chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.

Sadly, lung disorders such as CPOD and pneumoconiosis, are common among ex miners. Jocky had been both a coal delivery man and also a miner at Kirkcaldy’s Seafield Colliery.

During a period of unemployment, he entered a darts competition at Butlins, Ayr and this persuaded him that he had an alternative career opening. He turned professional in 1979, and had considerable success until he stopped playing in 1995.

He reached at least the quarter-finals of every World Championship between 1979 and 1991 and was a four-time British champion between 1981 and 1988 and a three-time Scottish Masters champion.

Married to Argentian born Malvina, he had three children, a daughter Anne Marie, and two sons John and William.