Jocky wilson last year's query

[NiteEyez]

Hi guys

This got me thinking. Datadart sell JW darts to this day despite the fact he retired 23 years ago and passed a number of years ago. That in itself isn't unusual (think Rees).

My query is how Wilson died in pretty much poverty when his darts were still being sold? Surely he'd have been getting some residuals from the sales to some degree.

It's never mentioned. What happened? Did his ex management get the royalties, did he sign away the rights early on etc.

Given his name & popularity I just find it strange he never got a  legends or ambassador type deal?

He may have been offered and declined and I could be completly wrong however I would have thought that would be a more palatable option than poverty?

There just seems to be so much more to his story. In bristows book he says that they offered jocky a place on the league of legends as theyd heard he was playing in Scotland but he declined. There's also a documentary on him from around that period where it was strongly suggested he was still playing in Scotland for money. 

I'd love to know more

[Red'75™]

I've wondered some of these same things myself.  Very thought provoking post.  I'm interested to see the feedback, as well.

[Crusher17]

I think Jocky like to spend his money and read something about a court case with a former manager where he had to pay 80 thousand pounds

[NiteEyez]

I've wondered some of these same things myself.  Very thought provoking post.  I'm interested to see the feedback, as well.

I just think it's quite unusual that he didn't do the exbo circuit or do okay from the darts deal or get a pdc deal??

Hr may have been screwed over by management  if so: f**k them to hell.

However 

If he turned down exbo,  a pdc deal or other opportunities then that was his choice so you have to think that his financial position or lack thereof  was his choice and therefore the sympathy level should be scaled accordingly. 

Before I get buried here what I am.trying to articulate is that if you have financial opportunities and choose not to take them and as a result of this it leaves you cash poor then that is your choice and the tragedy element should be judged against all the factors rather than the obvious. 

I am a major jocky fan by the way

[LegoArmo]

I think he had major alcohol problems, he could have taken exhibition deals, or deals with the PDC, but may have struggled with the work and commitment. For all we know, he could have been very depressed, I've heard that he was basically a shut in when he died. It's not usual behaviour.

This is all just speculation, obviously, but the fact we have to speculate about one of the greatest darts champions of all time, says it all. For whatever reason, he couldn't or didn't want to be in the public eye anymore.

[NiteEyez]

Isn't the consensus that he stopped drinking mid 90s when 45??

Was just very abrupt. He quit and disapeared.

I just think there's more story to be told

[Red'75™]

I think he had major alcohol problems, he could have taken exhibition deals, or deals with the PDC, but may have struggled with the work and commitment. For all we know, he could have been very depressed, I've heard that he was basically a shut in when he died. It's not usual behaviour.

This is all just speculation, obviously, but the fact we have to speculate about one of the greatest darts champions of all time, says it all. For whatever reason, he couldn't or didn't want to be in the public eye anymore.

I remember, some time ago, watching a short documentary on YouTube called Kirkcaldy Man that alludes to that very thing......suffering from health problems, depression and possibly alcoholism, he moved back to his hometown and just sort of faded away.  It's mostly townsfolk just telling the bits and pieces they know or have heard.  There's a part near the end where they speak to his wife and she explains how sick Jocky had become but nothing in great detail.  It gives you a very basic idea of what happened to him but in the same breath, it begs the question, why?  How does a man of such talent and fame just disappear and die in poverty without someone reaching out to him?

[NiteEyez]

My thoughts exactly.

He had potential money on table plus friends in high places

Something just doesn't add up unless he just literally said

"That's it"

And was happy to take anonymity and poverty over some money & safety.

[NiteEyez]

I've done a tribute on my blog:

https://mydartinglife.blogspot.co.uk/201...d.html?m=1

[Shed inn]

I've done a tribute on my blog:

https://mydartinglife.blogspot.co.uk/201...d.html?m=1

Ayup Luke 

Good blog and well done for paying tribute to the wee man!

Shed

[NiteEyez]

Thanks Shed appreciate it

[Banz]

Nice tribute mate

If you saw Jocky warming up on league night you'd think he'd be a pushover. No idea how he hit anything with that throw of his but all the more likeable for it!

[Cooper84]

I've done a tribute on my blog:

https://mydartinglife.blogspot.co.uk/201...d.html?m=1

Just watched a bit of the 89 final brought back a lot of great memories cheers NightEyez. ...

John Thomas Wilson you were something else.

[NiteEyez]

Cheers guys

He was a special talent and it'd a tale that I think we are far from knowING l about

[JamieJ]

I wondered that about Leighton Rees too, surely the companies must have permission or a deal in place to use the players image on darts or other products, whether the player is alive or not.
As for his reclusiveness, I sometimes wondered why he chose to disappear from the public eye. Alas the only person who knew the real reason was Jocky himself and we'll probably never know.
Nevertheless he was and still is a giant of the darting world and he gave us many classic memorable moments in his great career.