Andy Jenkins
Andrew Jenkins (born 11 March 1971) is an English former professional darts player who competed in Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) events. Known by the nickname "Rocky", he reached the semi-finals of the 2007 PDC World Darts Championship and won 13 titles during his career, with total earnings of £352,068.[1] Born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, Jenkins turned professional in the early 2000s and qualified for the PDC World Championship multiple times, achieving his best result in 2007 by defeating Denis Ovens and Chris Mason before losing to Raymond van Barneveld. He also reached the last 16 of the World Grand Prix in 2007 and won events on the PDPA circuit. Jenkins held a PDC Tour Card from 2011 to 2017.[2] In April 2025, Jenkins was banned for 11 years from all Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) events and fined £17,580 for match-fixing and betting violations related to five matches in 2022–23, effectively ending his professional career. As of November 2025, the ban remains in place until 2036.[3][4]Personal background
Early life
Andy Jenkins was born on 11 March 1971 in Portsmouth, England.[2] He was born blind in his left eye, a condition that affected him throughout much of his early life until corrective surgery in 2005 restored partial vision in that eye.[5] Raised in a working-class family in the Portsmouth area, Jenkins worked as a bricklayer in nearby Cosham, Hampshire, reflecting the blue-collar roots common in the region's communities during the late 20th century.[5] In his youth, he attracted interest from Southampton Football Club, appearing on their wishlist as a potential prospect, but ultimately decided to focus on darts instead.[6] Jenkins was introduced to darts through local amateur scenes in the late 1980s and early 1990s, where he developed his skills in regional English tournaments. His early competitive experiences included participation in open events, building a foundation that led to his transition to the British Darts Organisation (BDO) in 1994.[6]Playing style and equipment
Jenkins is known by the nickname "Rocky", derived from the eponymous film character portrayed by Sylvester Stallone, which underscores his tenacious and resilient approach to the game.[7][8] As a right-handed thrower, Jenkins adopted a deliberate and measured pace at the oche, allowing him to maintain composure under pressure.[9] He competed with 21g Red Dragon darts, a model customized to his preferences with a balanced barrel for reliable handling.[10] His walk-on music was "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, which complemented his persona and energized the crowd.[10] On stage, Jenkins exhibited intense concentration during throws, occasionally interacting with spectators to heighten the match atmosphere.[2]Professional career
Early career in publishing
Jenkins began his professional career in 1984 at age 20 as the managing editor, writer, and illustrator for Freestylin' magazine, a publication focused on the freestyle BMX movement in Southern California.[11] He contributed illustrations and articles that helped define the visual style of the emerging BMX culture. Over the following years, Jenkins worked for other titles, including BMX Action and Transworld Skateboarding, where he illustrated the Wrench Pilot comic series starting in 1989.[12] In the early 1990s, Jenkins co-founded the lifestyle magazines Dirt and Homeboy with Mark Lewman and Spike Jonze. These publications blended art, writing, and extreme sports, pioneering street-style documentation through zines and experimental formats.[13]Creative direction in skateboarding
In 1994, Jenkins joined Girl Skateboards as its inaugural art director, a position that expanded to creative director for the Crailtap family of brands, including Chocolate, Fourstar, Royal Trucks, and Lakai Limited Footwear. Over three decades, he designed iconic graphics, such as Jason Lee's "Cat in the Hat" deck in 1993 and basketball-themed series. Jenkins also initiated collectives like Art Dump, collaborating with artists including Geoff McFetridge and Evan Hecox.[14][12]Freelance work and exhibitions
Jenkins' freelance collaborations include major brands such as Nike, Oakley, Levi's, and Sonos. His ink drawings and illustrations have been exhibited in Japan, Australia, England, and the United States. As of 2025, he serves as art director for Uma Landsleds under Mesa Distribution, continuing to influence design in action sports and contemporary art.[13]Major tournament results
World Championship performances
Andy Jenkins made his debut in the BDO World Darts Championship in 1995 at the Lakeside Country Club, where he suffered a first-round defeat to Sean Palfrey by a score of 1–3.[15] The following year, in 1996, Jenkins achieved his best result in the BDO event by reaching the last 16; he advanced past Bruno Raes 3–0 in the opening round before falling 2–3 to Andy Fordham in a closely contested second-round match.[16] In 1997, he exited in the first round with a 0–3 loss to Ronnie Baxter, despite posting a higher three-dart average of 88.89 compared to Baxter's 85.86.[17] Jenkins qualified for the BDO World Championship seven times between 1995 and 2001, but recorded only one match win across those appearances, with first-round defeats in 1998 (3–1 to Andy Fordham), 1999 (1–3 to Graham Hunt), 2000 (0–3 to Richie Davies), and 2001 (0–3 to Kevin Painter).[18][19][20][21] His limited success in the BDO flagship event highlighted early career struggles against top-tier opposition, though the 1996 last-16 run provided a brief glimpse of potential.[6] After switching to the PDC in 2002, Jenkins appeared in the PDC World Darts Championship eight times from 2002 to 2010, with his performances peaking in 2007 when he reached the semi-finals for the only time. In that tournament, he began with a 3–1 victory over Bill Davis in the last 64, followed by a 4–2 win against Andy Smith in the last 32. Jenkins then overcame Adrian Lewis 4–3 in the last 16 and Colin Osborne 5–4 in the quarter-finals before a 0–6 semi-final loss to eventual champion Raymond van Barneveld, who averaged over 100 in the match.[22][23][24] This run earned him £25,000 in prize money and marked his career high, showcasing improved consistency and finishing under pressure during a year of strong form on the PDC Pro Tour.[25] Jenkins' other PDC World Championship results were more modest, with early exits dominating his record. In 2002, he lost 3–4 to Denis Ovens in the first round; 2003 saw a second-round defeat 2–4 to Chris Mason; and in 2004, he reached the third round before a 1–4 loss to Bob Anderson. The 2005 edition featured his second-deepest run, advancing to the fourth round (last 16) with a 4–0 win over Peter Evison in the third round, only to fall 0–4 to Mark Dudbridge. In 2006, Wayne Jones eliminated him 4–3 in the second round. Subsequent appearances yielded first-round losses: 3–2 to Alan Tabern in 2008, 3–0 to Co Stompé in 2009 (despite Jenkins' career-high World Championship average of 94.57), and 3–2 to Peter Manley in 2010.[26][27][28][29][2][30] These results reflected a post-2007 decline, attributed to form dips and failure to defend ranking points from his semi-final earnings, leading to his gradual exit from the top 16 by 2011.[1]| Tournament | Appearances | Wins-Losses | Best Finish | Total Prize Money from Worlds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDO World Championship | 7 (1995–2001) | 1–7 | Last 16 (1996) | £12,800 (approx.)[6] |
| PDC World Championship | 8 (2002–2010) | 11–8 | Semi-final (2007) | £45,000 (dominated by 2007 semi-final)[1] |
Other PDC majors
In the 2002 World Grand Prix, Jenkins advanced to the semi-finals, defeating Hugh Allison 2-0 in the first round, Ritchie Buckle 2-0 in the second round, and Roland Scholten 4-0 in the quarter-finals before losing 4-1 to John Part in the semi-finals. This run marked one of his strongest performances in the double-in, double-out format tournament, showcasing his precision in finishing legs. Although he did not face Phil Taylor in that event, Jenkins' progress highlighted his competitive edge against top-seeded players during the early 2000s PDC calendar. Jenkins also reached the semi-finals of the 2004 UK Open, navigating the tournament's unique multi-stage format that combined regional qualifiers with a main draw seeded by order of merit and performance. In the quarter-finals, he overcame Colin Monk 8-6 after leading 5-0, with a three-dart average of 92.79, though Monk mounted a comeback to make it 7-6 before Jenkins secured the victory. He then fell 8-7 to John Part in the semi-finals, a tight match decided in the final leg. This appearance underscored Jenkins' adaptability to the UK Open's demanding structure, which emphasized consistency across varying leg lengths. Beyond these standout results, Jenkins achieved deeper runs in other PDC majors, including quarter-finals at the World Matchplay in both 2001 and 2004. He progressed to the last 32 in the 2008 European Championship, where he was defeated 6-0 by Raymond van Barneveld, and the last 32 in the 2009 Players Championship Finals. Additionally, he reached the last 16 in the 2008 Grand Slam of Darts. Across these events, Jenkins recorded several quarter-final or better finishes, contributing to a career win-loss summary in PDC majors (excluding the World Championship) of approximately 45% wins in main draw matches, with notable success in the double-start formats of the World Grand Prix and World Matchplay.Achievements and titles
Andy Jenkins has received recognition for his contributions to BMX, skateboarding, and graphic design through awards, honors, and influential roles in publications and brands.Awards and honors
Jenkins' early artistic talent was acknowledged in 1983 when he won the BMX Action magazine drawing contest, earning a blue aluminum 24" Race Inc. bike as the prize. This victory marked an early milestone in his career intersection of art and BMX culture.[11] In 2024, Jenkins was inducted into the BMX Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024, honoring his immeasurable achievements and contributions to the sport through his work as an art student, BMX enthusiast, and creative director. The induction highlighted his role in shaping the visual landscape of BMX and skateboarding.[31]Notable roles and contributions
Jenkins held pivotal titles in the BMX and skateboarding media and design world. In 1984, at age 20, he became the managing editor, writer, and illustrator for Freestylin' magazine, a foundational publication for the freestyle BMX movement. He later co-founded Dirt and Homeboy magazines in the early 1990s with Mark Lewman and Spike Jonze, blending art, writing, and extreme sports culture.[11][13] In 1994, Jenkins was appointed the inaugural art director for Girl Skateboards, a position that expanded to creative director for the Crailtap family of brands, including Chocolate, Fourstar, Royal Trucks, and Lakai Limited Footwear. He has held this role for over three decades, creating iconic graphics and fostering artist collectives like Art Dump.[14][12] His freelance work includes collaborations with brands such as Nike, Oakley, Levi's, and Sonos, and he has exhibited his ink drawings and illustrations in Japan, Australia, England, and the United States. As of 2025, Jenkins serves as art director for Uma Landsleds under Mesa Distribution.[13]| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | BMX Action Drawing Contest Winner | Prize: blue aluminum 24" Race Inc. bike |
| 1984 | Managing Editor, Freestylin' Magazine | Launched career in BMX media at age 20 |
| Early 1990s | Co-founder, Dirt and Homeboy Magazines | Pioneered lifestyle zines with Mark Lewman and Spike Jonze |
| 1994–present | Art Director/Creative Director, Girl Skateboards and Crailtap Brands | Created iconic graphics; fostered Art Dump collective |
| 2024 | BMX Hall of Fame Inductee | Class of 2024 for contributions to BMX culture |
Performance statistics
Overall career earnings
Andy Jenkins' total career earnings in professional darts amount to approximately £361,218 as of November 2025.[1] His early career in the British Darts Organisation (BDO) prior to 2002 generated modest prize money, reflecting the lower financial stakes of that era compared to the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). For instance, reaching the last 16 at the 1996 BDO World Darts Championship earned him £3,200, one of his notable early payouts.[32] The bulk of Jenkins' earnings stemmed from PDC events after his switch in 2002, particularly through major tournaments and Pro Tour competitions. Peak earning years occurred between 2002 and 2007, fueled by deep runs in high-profile events, such as the £20,000 semi-final prize at the 2007 PDC World Darts Championship.[33] Later in his career, wins on the PDC Challenge Tour provided supplementary income, including a £2,000 victory in Event 10 of the 2022 series, helping sustain earnings amid fluctuating form. No professional events were played in 2024.[34] These totals were impacted by a £17,580 fine imposed in April 2025 for match-fixing violations, effectively deducting from his net career financial gains.[35]Tournament timeline
The tournament timeline below provides a chronological overview of Andy Jenkins' participations and outcomes in key darts tournaments, focusing on major BDO, PDC, and WSDT events from his debut in 1995 to his last recorded win in 2022 and subsequent appearances in 2023. Coverage includes the World Championships (BDO and PDC), UK Open, World Grand Prix, World Matchplay, and other notable majors where applicable, with absences noted after the loss of his PDC Tour Card at the end of 2017 and following his 11-year ban from DRA events in April 2025. Results are coded as follows: 1R (first round loss), L64 (last 64), L32 (last 32), L16 (last 16), QF (quarter-final), SF (semi-final), RU (runner-up), W (winner), DNP (did not participate). Ranking notations (e.g., # seeded position) are included where relevant for context in seeded events. Data is drawn from official tournament records and player profiles.[1][15][36][8][37]| Year | BDO/PDC World Championship | UK Open | World Grand Prix | World Matchplay | Other Majors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | BDO 1R (lost to S. Palfrey)[38] | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 1996 | BDO L16 (lost to A. Fordham)[16] | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 1997 | BDO 1R (lost to R. Baxter)[39] | DNP | DNP | DNP | News of the World SF[40] |
| 1998 | BDO L16 (lost to A. Fordham) | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 1999 | BDO 1R | DNP | DNP | DNP | World Masters QF[6] |
| 2000 | BDO 1R | DNP | DNP | DNP | World Masters QF[6] |
| 2001 | BDO 1R | DNP | DNP | QF (PDC debut year)[6] | DNP |
| 2002 | PDC 2R | DNP | SF[6] | L16 | DNP |
| 2003 | PDC 3R | L32 | L16 | L32 | DNP |
| 2004 | PDC L16 | SF[6] | QF | QF[6] | Desert Classic L16 |
| 2005 | PDC 3R | L64 | L16 | DNP | European Championship DNP |
| 2006 | PDC L16 | L32 | L16 | L32 | Players Championship Finals DNP |
| 2007 | PDC SF (lost to R. van Barneveld, #12 seed)[7] | L64 | L16 | L16 | DNP |
| 2008 | PDC QF | L32 | L16 | L32 | Grand Slam L16[6] |
| 2009 | PDC 1R (lost to C. Stompé)[36] | L64 | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 2010 | PDC 2R | L96 | DNP | DNP | Players Championship Finals L64 |
| 2011 | DNP | L64 | DNP | DNP | Tour Card gained via Q-School |
| 2012 | DNP | L64 | DNP | DNP | Players Championship Finals DNP |
| 2013 | PDC 2R | L64 | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 2014-2016 | DNP | L96 (2014, 2015); L128 (2016) | DNP | DNP | Players Championship Finals L64 (2016) |
| 2017 | DNP | L128 | DNP | DNP | Tour Card lost end of year |
| 2018-2021 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | Challenge Tour appearances; no major TV events |
| 2022 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | PDC Challenge Tour 10 W[37] |
| 2023 | WSDT World Championship L16[1] | L160[1] | DNP | DNP | PDC Challenge Tour L256 |
| 2024 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP (no pro events played) |
| 2025 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | 11-year DRA ban imposed April 2025; local non-pro wins in Gosport Darts Series[41] |