Won’t change us.. I’ve said no to the Audi
she recalls their early romance. They met in January 2008 when he went into the pet shop where she worked as a 16-year-old Saturday girl in Edenbridge, Kent.
Rob, then spiky-haired, was on an electrician’s course at college and working two shifts a week in a Co-op.
Georgia says: “We just clicked and it was obvious very quickly how sweet and caring he was. The first time we met up he bought us a bag of chips to share and we just talked for a couple of hours and ate them.
“He was already into darts and I soon knew how obsessed he was. He used to practise and play at The Fountain pub on a Monday – it’s where we had our first date, while he practised.
“His parents were actually there as well and I spent most of the night just sat talking to his mum. We just really bonded through his darts and within a couple of weeks I started going with him on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.”
HONOUR
Within a year Georgia had moved in with Rob and his supportive parents Alistair, a driver, and Sally, a supermarket worker. They wed in October 2011 and had a €1,000 reception – all they could afford. Not long after their big day, baby Layton arrived – named in honour of Leighton Rees, the first World Professional Darts Champion.
Rob began working long hours to support his family and quit competitive darts for 18 months.
Georgia goes on: “He still played at home on the board on the back of the bedroom door. Then, in 2013, things began to take off because he began to win local competitions. I didn’t take it seriously until Rob with world trophy the UK qualifiers in March 2016. He played World No1 Michael van Gerwen and only lost 9-5. Rob hit a load of big scores and that was when I realised actually he can do it.” Rob gave up his job in October 2016 to become a full-time darts player, practising four hours every day. But while he has had an incredible year, Georgia says life as a Dwag – darts Wag – can have its lows. She admits: “Being a darts wife can be lonely and hard on the children. “But the kids love seeing Dad on TV and our family and Rob’s team really support us. At the end of the day he’s doing it for the kids and me. It’s all about his family.” So how did Georgia cope as Rob faced Taylor, 57, at London’s Alexandra Palace last week? She owns up: “I’m a gibbering wreck and I throw every dart with him. I got teary halfway through because he was so far in front and I realised ‘Jesus, he’s going to do it’.
“When he won we all jumped up and I just started crying. In December 2016 we were at home watching the world championship and Rob said ‘This could be me next year. I’d love to win it!’ I just laughed!
“What he has achieved is incredible. I’m so proud. We couldn’t be happier.”
Georgia confesses that her life feels complete. She has her dream family and Rob has his world title.
And she has one other special gift – after Rob splashed out on a replacement wedding ring for her.
Now that’s an arrow Cupid would be happy with.
patrick.hill@trinitymirror.com
Rob loves his darts... we went to the pub on first date so he could practise GEORGIA CROSS ON FALLING FOR THE CHAMP-TO-BE