Simon Whitlock is good but here’s five other Wizards we like

In the build-up to the first ever McCoy's Premier League Darts night in Dublin next month, we've teamed up with McCoy's to come up with a series of darts nickname-inspired JOE Fives. Today: Simon “The Wizard” Whitlock

1. The Wizard of Oz

One of the all-time weirdest films ever, the story of Dorothy and her journey to see The Wizard is also one of the most popular.

If it were being pitched today the story of a girl travelling into a strange land with a lion, a scarecrow and a robot would probably get as far as Scene 1, Line 1 before the producers threw it out, but in 1939 they were happy to let it go. Without it we would never have had flying monkeys or munchkins. The world would be a poorer place.

2. Pinball Wizard

‘That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball’. The best line of any rock opera? Probably, but that is not much of a compliment. Taken from Tommy, The Who’s rock opera, it was a hit when originally released in 1969 but again in 1975 when the film of Tommy saw Elton John’s version become the one we probably know best today.

Enjoy it in all its glam glory below.

3. Stanley Matthews

That Matthews is still known as the Wizard of the Dribble says something, since he retired from football in 1965 and died 12 years ago. The Stoke and Blackpool legend played professional football for 33 years, retiring at 50 and players like Franz Beckenbauer and Johnny Giles have spoken of just how good he was with the ball at his feet.

Matthews’s longevity was down a very strict diet and the fact he didn’t drink or smoke, a revolutionary idea for a footballer back then. His nimble feet never deserted him and considering the heavy ball and horrendous pitches he had to deal with, imagine how good he would be now.

4. Wizzard

Okay, a slight cheat here but we can’t ignore Ron Wood’s crazy glam rockers. Best known for their addictive single “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”, the Christmas song that you have probably heard a million times in your life.

If you want an idea of how insane the mid-70s were, this song, Angel Fingers, made it to number one in 1974. Just look at them!

5. John Higgins

With four world titles to his name, the Wizard of Wishaw is one of the world’s finest snooker players - only Ray Reardon, Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry have more.

Higgins was banned for six months for his part in a tabloid sting on gambling on snooker in 2010, an incident in which he always claimed innocence. He bounced back in style to claim the world crown last year. And he's a Glaswegian-Irish Celtic fan. What's not to love?

Simon "The Wizard" Whitlock is one of eight stars on show at McCoy's Premier League Darts, which visits Dublin for the first time ever when it takes place at the O2 Arena on Thursday 22 March. Click here for ticket details.