Gaz: I’m only on oche cos of Jocky
Anderson hails Wilson for inspiring his career
GARY ANDERSON reckons he needs his own show-stopping performance to celebrate the new on-stage tribute to his hero Jocky Wilson.
Scotland’s second two-time world champion faces Kim Huybrechts tonight and knows he needs to raise the roof to stay in the hunt for Premier League glory after slipping down the table.
The country’s first double champ Wilson last night had his own story portrayed in a new play by sister and brother team Jane Livingstone and Jonathan Cairney which opened in Glasgow.
Anderson’s first memories of the game came from his dad watching Jocky play in the 1980s and he said: “He was a working-class guy. I don’t think we are too dissimilar in that way. We both like to play the game the way it should be played. No fuss.
“If someone had said when I first threw a dart I’d match Jocky’s achievements I would have settled for that.
“He inspires me and a few other players. We must all remember our roots and what makes darts such a great game.
“Sadly, I never got a chance to meet him. I’d have liked a wee pairs game with him.
“But I hope Jocky is up there having a pint with my dad and watching over me and is happy when I beat a few of the guys, especially the English players!
“Seriously though it’s just great the Scottish game is in such great shape now. He put us on the map and I’m just glad I’ve played my part in some way to carry on his good work.
“My first recollection of darts was from seeing my dad watching a game between Jocky and Eric Bristow on World of Sport.
“That’s where I first saw darts and where my love for it began. It was brilliant.
“Jocky’s crazy throw, the tension between him and Eric and the way they played the crowd was just great to watch.
“Like so many of those players from the early 70s we probably wouldn’t be here without them.”
Anderson is languishing in sixth place in the table ahead of tonight’s Manchester event and said: “One win and you’re back up there. It’s so tight and I can’t really afford any more slip-ups.”
Michael van Gerwen is ready to reclaim top spot in the Premier League table with a double header in Manchester.
The world No.1 is a fixture behind having missed week five with a back injury but plays his game in hand tonight against James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld in the first and last matches of the evening.