The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tayside firefighter aims for marks set by ‘legend’
‘Soots’ Soutar looking to pass more milestones after 50th cap for Scotland
A Tayside firefighter has told of his burning desire to go one better than Fife darts hero Jocky Wilson.
Alan “Soots” Soutar, who lives in Arbroath, has set his sights on the two-time world champion’s Scottish international tally after winning his 50th cap for his country with victory against Wales.
Soutar, who works in Dundee, is fifth on the all-time list for his country and wants to beat Wilson’s total of 60 caps, which would put him second on the all-time list.
During his 50 caps he has won 34 times, which is also just three wins short of the Kirkcaldy-born icon’s 37 wins.
“In 2020 it’s possible that I can pass Jocky Wilson’s record of 37 wins, and I’m looking forward also to trying to beat his 60 caps over the next two to three years,” said Soots.
“That would put me second on the all-time list, something I never thought possible all those years ago watching Jocky Wilson on TV at Lakeside.
“Jocky is a true legend of Scottish darts in every sense of the title and is still recognised as one of the greats to this day.”
Soutar has been involved in darts all his life and started throwing tungsten in his grandparents’ pub, the Skate Inn, at age 14.
Soutar, who played at the BDO World Championship in 2011 and 2016, helped set up the Angus Darts Academy at the beginning of 2012 and young people continue to pour through the doors and impress the coaches.
“My first cap was in April 2011 in Fleetwood, England, against Wales and my memory of that game was my first ever throw on stage for my country and I hit a 180,” he said.
“It doesn’t get much better than that on a debut.
“The same weekend I made my debut against England playing former 2001
“Jocky is a true legend of Scottish darts in every sense of the title and is still recognised as one of the greats to this day. ALAN SOUTAR
world champion John ‘Boy’ Walton and beat him 3-2 in a very nervous match for me.”
Soutar said maintaining his place in the Scotland squad for a decade is something which makes him very proud.
“I can hopefully continue to represent Scotland as there is no feeling like it in sport,” he said.
“My biggest achievement for Scotland is most certainly winning the WDF World Cup Team Event in Canada in 2013 with Ross Montgomery, Gary Stone and Craig Baxter.
“To be the first Scottish players to return from the biggest world event in darts with team gold can never be topped.”
Soutar has been captain of Scotland since 2017 and has gone on to double the achievements of Arbroath’s Geordie Nicoll, who was capped 25 times and also captained the national team in the 1970s and 80s.