Aussie
Established Member
It might go anywhere ROCASTLE, Arsenal through to Wembley
David “Rocky” Rocastle lit up the sometimes dour Arsenal teams of the late eighties and early nineties. Not only was he a very special player but he was also a amazing person and a true gentleman. That was clear from the amazing tributes that flooded in for Rocky during the days after his tragic death on the 31st of March 2001. Rocky was only 33 but he left Arsenal fans and Football fans in general with a lifetime of memories. His name will be remembered and will continue to be sung during games at Highbury and The Grove for years to come.
Rocky was one of those kids who clearly stood out as a youngster and he had the potential to be something special. He was spotted by the Gunners playing for South London Schoolboys and was quickly snapped up and Arsenal signed him as a apprentice in May of 1982. He was to come through the youth ranks with the likes of Paul Merson and Tony Adams and was rated very highly by all who saw him. Rocky’s debut came against Newcastle at Highbury in September of 1985 and it was seen as one of the more impressive debuts by a Arsenal youngster. He was to make a further 16 appearances for the Red and White that season and it was clear to Arsenal fans that they had something special on their hands.
Pace and lots of it, silky skills and his amazing passing ability made sure that Rocky became a regular member of the first team during the 1986/87 season. He was to play all but 6 games and was duly awarded with the Arsenal player of the year award and also earnt a place in the PFA Division one team of the year. Not to bad for a 20 year old.
QUEUE HERE FOR YOUR TICKETS THE PA WAS HEARD TO SAY
BUT UP POPPED ROCKY ROCASTLE AND RUINED TOTNUMBS DAY
Its seen by many as a defining moment for Arsenal. Without a trophy since 1979 Arsenal were up against Arch Rivals Tottenham in the Semi Final of the League cup. The teams could not be separated after two games and after a toss of the coin the third game was to be held at White Hart Lane. Arsenal again went a goal down but thanks to a Ian Allinson goal in the second half scores were level. Its moments like that where the stage is set for someone to propel themselves into the History books and makes themselves a legend forever. That’s exactly what Rocky Rocastle did. With only a few minutes go O’Leary hit a long ball into the box and in the goalmouth scramble that ensured Rocky popped up and sent Arsenal to Wembley and eventually to claim our first trophy since 1979 as Arsenal came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1.
Every where Rocky went he was loved. This was largely due to him being a complete professional on and off the field. He gave it all while on the pitch. Anfield 89 It was up for grabs. Liverpool fans still say they knew they were in trouble when they saw Rocky with just minutes to go still punching the air and demanding more from his teammates. Well it was up for grabs and Arsenal took it with two hands and Rocky had his first championship medal for The Arsenal. The 1989 season was Rocky’s best for the Gunners.
Things over the next two seasons were not so good for him. He missed a number of games due to a knee injury that required surgery and just wouldn’t go away. It not only cost him games but it also cost him his place in the England side. Rocky however claimed another championship medal when Arsenal went through the 90/91 season with only losing one game.
A new season and Rocky was back and the Arsenal fans loved it. He always had the ability to do something special and was a clear standout in the sometimes dour Arsenal sides of the late eighties and early nineties. He produced a number of truly amazing goals in his career and scored one of the goals of the season against Manchester United. Won it in the midfield, skipped past two tacklers then rode a tackle from Paul Ince then audaciously chipped Schmeichel from 30 yards.
George Graham admitted it was one of the hardest decisions he has ever had to make and it was one that sent Arsenal fans into shock. Rocky cried and begged not to be sold however his pleas fell on deaf ears and he was sold to Leeds United for two million pounds. While Rocky left Arsenal he was always a Gooner and a 100% Gooner at that. He was constantly troubled by injury and was to make several moves to various clubs including Chelsea, City and Norwich. He was never to recapture that form he had with Arsenal in his early days. If it wasn’t for his knee who knows what he might have been.
David “Rocky” Rocastle announced that he was suffering from Cancer in February of 2001. Most believed that Rocky would simply fight on and beat it like Rocky always did. However this was one battle that he would not win. He passed away on the 31st of March 2001. That day Arsenal played Tottenham, the club Rocky brought to its nears 14 years earlier. A emotional minute silence was undertaken before the game and credit must be given to the Tottenham fans who gave Rocky the respect he deserved. Arsenal won the game 2-0 with Robert Pires wearing Rocky’s old number 7 scoring one of the goals.
Rocky’s son was the team mascot when we took on Liverpool in the 2001 FA Cup final. It was another emotional moment as the Arsenal fans present began to belt out Rocky’s name loud and proud. An amazing footballer and a amazing person who was a husband and a father was taken from the world when only 33 but his name will be one that will never ever be forgotten at The Arsenal.
"OH ROCKY ROCKY ROCKY"
David Rocastle, Arsenal Legend
David “Rocky” Rocastle lit up the sometimes dour Arsenal teams of the late eighties and early nineties. Not only was he a very special player but he was also a amazing person and a true gentleman. That was clear from the amazing tributes that flooded in for Rocky during the days after his tragic death on the 31st of March 2001. Rocky was only 33 but he left Arsenal fans and Football fans in general with a lifetime of memories. His name will be remembered and will continue to be sung during games at Highbury and The Grove for years to come.
Rocky was one of those kids who clearly stood out as a youngster and he had the potential to be something special. He was spotted by the Gunners playing for South London Schoolboys and was quickly snapped up and Arsenal signed him as a apprentice in May of 1982. He was to come through the youth ranks with the likes of Paul Merson and Tony Adams and was rated very highly by all who saw him. Rocky’s debut came against Newcastle at Highbury in September of 1985 and it was seen as one of the more impressive debuts by a Arsenal youngster. He was to make a further 16 appearances for the Red and White that season and it was clear to Arsenal fans that they had something special on their hands.
Pace and lots of it, silky skills and his amazing passing ability made sure that Rocky became a regular member of the first team during the 1986/87 season. He was to play all but 6 games and was duly awarded with the Arsenal player of the year award and also earnt a place in the PFA Division one team of the year. Not to bad for a 20 year old.
QUEUE HERE FOR YOUR TICKETS THE PA WAS HEARD TO SAY
BUT UP POPPED ROCKY ROCASTLE AND RUINED TOTNUMBS DAY
Its seen by many as a defining moment for Arsenal. Without a trophy since 1979 Arsenal were up against Arch Rivals Tottenham in the Semi Final of the League cup. The teams could not be separated after two games and after a toss of the coin the third game was to be held at White Hart Lane. Arsenal again went a goal down but thanks to a Ian Allinson goal in the second half scores were level. Its moments like that where the stage is set for someone to propel themselves into the History books and makes themselves a legend forever. That’s exactly what Rocky Rocastle did. With only a few minutes go O’Leary hit a long ball into the box and in the goalmouth scramble that ensured Rocky popped up and sent Arsenal to Wembley and eventually to claim our first trophy since 1979 as Arsenal came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1.
Every where Rocky went he was loved. This was largely due to him being a complete professional on and off the field. He gave it all while on the pitch. Anfield 89 It was up for grabs. Liverpool fans still say they knew they were in trouble when they saw Rocky with just minutes to go still punching the air and demanding more from his teammates. Well it was up for grabs and Arsenal took it with two hands and Rocky had his first championship medal for The Arsenal. The 1989 season was Rocky’s best for the Gunners.
Things over the next two seasons were not so good for him. He missed a number of games due to a knee injury that required surgery and just wouldn’t go away. It not only cost him games but it also cost him his place in the England side. Rocky however claimed another championship medal when Arsenal went through the 90/91 season with only losing one game.
A new season and Rocky was back and the Arsenal fans loved it. He always had the ability to do something special and was a clear standout in the sometimes dour Arsenal sides of the late eighties and early nineties. He produced a number of truly amazing goals in his career and scored one of the goals of the season against Manchester United. Won it in the midfield, skipped past two tacklers then rode a tackle from Paul Ince then audaciously chipped Schmeichel from 30 yards.
George Graham admitted it was one of the hardest decisions he has ever had to make and it was one that sent Arsenal fans into shock. Rocky cried and begged not to be sold however his pleas fell on deaf ears and he was sold to Leeds United for two million pounds. While Rocky left Arsenal he was always a Gooner and a 100% Gooner at that. He was constantly troubled by injury and was to make several moves to various clubs including Chelsea, City and Norwich. He was never to recapture that form he had with Arsenal in his early days. If it wasn’t for his knee who knows what he might have been.
David “Rocky” Rocastle announced that he was suffering from Cancer in February of 2001. Most believed that Rocky would simply fight on and beat it like Rocky always did. However this was one battle that he would not win. He passed away on the 31st of March 2001. That day Arsenal played Tottenham, the club Rocky brought to its nears 14 years earlier. A emotional minute silence was undertaken before the game and credit must be given to the Tottenham fans who gave Rocky the respect he deserved. Arsenal won the game 2-0 with Robert Pires wearing Rocky’s old number 7 scoring one of the goals.
Rocky’s son was the team mascot when we took on Liverpool in the 2001 FA Cup final. It was another emotional moment as the Arsenal fans present began to belt out Rocky’s name loud and proud. An amazing footballer and a amazing person who was a husband and a father was taken from the world when only 33 but his name will be one that will never ever be forgotten at The Arsenal.
"OH ROCKY ROCKY ROCKY"
David Rocastle, Arsenal Legend
