Tragic Shrewsbury darts player dies aged 22
A 22-year-old darts player from Shrewsbury had died suddenly after suffering a heart attack brought on by an asthma attack.
Known across the county for his prowess on the oche, Josh Woodman died on Sunday night at his home after a day spent watching the football with friends.
On Monday evening, darts teams held a minute's silence in his memory and on Saturday Shrewsbury Town will dedicate the match against against Coventry to the talented sportsman, who was known affectionately as Bean and Jockey. There will also be a round of applause at the 22nd minute.
Speaking in tribute to her grandson, Josh's Nan,Jeanette, said: "He was a real character, a loveable rogue. He had had asthma all his life, right from when he was a baby but he just got on with things.
"He had been out in the afternoon watching the Liverpool match with his friends and then he came home. I have a video of him just minutes before mucking about in the kitchen with his sisters. He made himself something to eat and then it happened. He had a massive asthma attack and then a heart attack. We were with him at the end."
Messages
Jeanette said the family, including Josh's mum Hayley, dad Daniel Corfield, sisters Jemma and Ella and grandfather Tony, had been incredibly moved by the outpouring of support and kind messages they had received since Josh's death.
"He loved his pool, football and darts," she said. "He played for Reabrook Social Club, The Crown Abbey Foregate, Seven Stars, Masonic and the Inn on the Green and they have all been in touch with us. They held a minute's silence on Monday night and also held a collection. They have raised a lot of money for him. It meant so much to us that they did this.
"He was in the Shrewsbury Darts League so many people knew him from that. He started playing darts when he was 17 and was quickly picked up and asked to play for the first division. Then he was spotted to play for the county youth team."
Josh was born and brought up in Shrewsbury. He went to school at The Grange and then moved to Belle Vue. A date for the funeral is still to be arranged.
A Just Giving page has been set up by Josh's aunt Laura to raise £2,000 towards funeral costs. She said he 'deserves the best send off'. Since its launch on Monday, more than £1,500 has been donated. To contribute go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/laura-woodman
