Today marks the tenth anniversary of one of the saddest days I have ever experienced as an Arsenal fan, no not seeing the Gunners beaten on the field but the sad death of David ‘Rocky’ Rocastle at the age of just 33. When cancer went in to the 50/50 with Rocky it was a tackle he couldn’t win and he passed away quietly on the morning of March 31 2001 – the morning of a North London derby with them from down the road no less.
His tragic death at the ridiculously young age of 33 was sad enough but for me it was a very sad end to the first part of my love affair with Arsenal Football Club. My godfather spoon-fed me a diet of Arsenal football in the late 80s and on May 26 1989 I fell for the men from N5 for good to embark on an unbroken 22 year long marriage which has had its ups and downs but neither of us have ever consider moving on. At the heart of the early days were the likes of John Lukic, Tony Adams, Paul Davis, Alan Smith and of course ‘Rocky’.
David Rocastle was one of the unsung heroes in a team which had none of the flair of the current side but bled red and white and would never accept defeat. The archetypal utility man, Rocky was asked to play all across the midfield by George Graham and always gave his utmost for the cause and was rewarded with two league titles. His record of 23 goals in 228 appearances for the Gunners really doesn’t tell the story but then again any true Arsenal fan knows George’s teams worked hard and sought no praise.
While Alan Smith buried the goals in 1990/91 and Michael Thomas scored ‘That’ goal at Anfield in 1989, it’s true to say that none of it would have been possible without the meanest defence in world football thanks to George’s offside trap and the industry of the midfield. While the likes of Kevin Richardson and Paul Davis got the ball back, Rocky sought out the front-men and gave them the chances to write their names into Arsenal folklore.
It’s said that Rocastle burst into tears when Graham told him he had accepted a bid from Leeds United in 1992 for £2million and also that Rocastle refused to speak to the Tiny Totts out of loyalty to the Gunners. In truth his career went downhill after he left Highbury but that should not deter from the memories he left behind.
I was a 10 when he left for Leeds United, 19 when I heard Ian Wright break down in tears on the radio that Saturday morning announcing that Rocky had passed on. A childhood hero had gone too soon and in a way much of what he helped achieve was consigned to the history books. But Rocky will never be forgotten, he is one of the names which adorn the Emirates after all.
God bless you ‘Rocky’, may you always rest in peace and thank you for a childhood full of great sporting memories.
