Oh Rocky, Rocky
Mar 31st, 2011 by 'holic
“If there was one player I would like to have kept at Arsenal it was David. He epitomised the Arsenal team spirit, and would always accept defeat and victory with the same dignity. He was in tears when I revealed to him the board had accepted a bid from Leeds United. When he was at his peak and before knee problems started to take the edge off his game, David was as good as any midfield player in the land.. He had great pace and vision, and gave us an extra dimension in midfield”.
Those words were penned by George Graham in his 1995 book, ‘The Glory And The Grief” (published by Andre Deutsch). They were written at a time when David Rocastle was still very much in the game, and people forget how close he came to playing against Arsenal in the Final of the European Cup-Winners Cup that year. Chelsea went down 4-3 in the semi-final to Real Zaragoza, who went on to relieve Arsenal of their crown after extra-time in Paris.
The point of reproducing those words is to demonstrate the depth of feeling people had for David while he was still in the game, and before non-Hodgkins lymphoma deprived us of a real Arsenal legend all too soon. One would expect former colleagues and supporters to honour the memory of one of their idols taken too young (he was just 33), but check out the books and media of his playing days and you will find that ‘Rocky’ earned, and enjoyed, such tributes long before that fateful day.
It is almost impossible to believe it was now ten years ago, today, that he was lost to us. Those who attended the north London derby on the day of Rocky’s passing will tell you it was one of the most emotional occasions at the old girl. I was in the West Stand Lower, next to the visitors, and there is no clearer illustration of the regard that David was held in, than to record the impeccable behaviour of those with whom so many cross words, and worse, have been shared. Big men wept openly that day.
Why did David receive such acclaim. Simple. George Graham was right to highlight his pace and vision, but when you see the highlights packages put together on YouTube, look at the grounds where he scored his finest goals. Look at the opponents when he showed his true class, and his determination to win. Old Trafford, against Manchester United. Anfield, against Liverpool. Then of course the night that will ensure that he always will hold a special place in our memories, against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in the League Cup semi-final of 1987. Rocky produced his best in the big games against the big teams. That was a measure of the man and his character.
He added to his League Cup winners medal in ’87 with League Champions medals in 1989 and again two years later. These were the golden years, for David, and those of us who idolised him, loved his passion, and his attitude. He appeared slight of build, but was never found wanting when the going got tough. When you hear people today talk of earning the right to play your football, it is worth noting that David Rocastle could do both of those things as well as anybody, and better than most.
I understand that the ten years since his passing will be marked at the new Arsenal Stadium on Saturday. If you are too young to remember David personally please take the time to read everything you can about the fella (the blogs will be full of tributes today), and understand why some big old units may be shedding a tear or two this weekend. They will be remembering one of the biggest hearts of them all.
75 Responses to “Oh Rocky, Rocky”
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Nice stuff, a true legend and a prince among men. My small contribution to go with Holics.
http://www.arsenal.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=522698
Cheers mate. Going to be a tough old day, I reckon.
Tears in my eyes just reading that. Wonderful player, wonderful man, massive massive loss.
I was also at the North London derby that day. I was in the North Bank. I remember being full of anger. Anger at the loss of an Arsenal great, and anger that it had to be Spurs. Anger because I had this horrible feeling that there would be a lack of respect during the silence. I had tears streaming down my face as I stood there and you could hear a pin drop. Any Spurs boys dropping in? Thank you. I apologise for thinking you would be disrespectful for an amazing man and player.
I am taking my 7 year old boy on Saturday. He has a vast knowledge of football for his age, but will not know who Rocky is. He wont understand my emotion on the day. We will travel home and on arrival will then be shown the footage on you tube. He will then understand fully. Trust me he will.
Emotional just typing this. God bless you Rocky. And thanks for allowing me to be able to watch the magic.
Well said one and all. Rocky lives on in the heart of the club. Legend.
Great post ‘Holic. Rocky was before my time, but over the years I’ve watched enough film and talked to enough Gooners to know how special he was and how many people have his memory in their hearts. Looking forward to raising a glass to him with you and others on Sat.
‘holic, LD, Steve T. and the rest, thank you for the memories. Let us draw inspiration for the present in the memory of Rocky.
Never felt moved to comment before but Rocky was a true Arsenal legend, today is going to be a sad day. Rocky, we’re all thinking of you.
Lovely tribute. Fine words for a fine player.
Re: the impeccable observance of the tribute to Rocky by the Spuds fans, is it possible that they are not as evil as they undeniably seem to be?
Nice stuff ‘Holic, like my buddy Pete witnessed, Rocky was here in Singapore in one of our now decrepit stadiums a looooong time ago. Pity I wasn’t a Gooner then but all the same, reading about his exploits in the Arsenal Annuals, watching his highlights on DVDs and youtube plus wise old units paying tribute year after years..
Goosebumps before, during and after reading the post, mate. Good stuff.
BT8B @9
Of course they aren’t.
They love their Club through thick and thin just like we do.
They moan and groan about certain players/injustices/dodgy refs decisions just like we do.
They rail against the Management when the season goes
Pear shaped just like we do.
The only difference between us and them is their mad loony fringe is a THOUSAND fucking times bigger than ours.!!
cheers
Clive
Great tribute ‘holic. RIP Rocky.
Rocky was before I started supporting..but this post makes me want to go back and watch him..
Cheers ‘holic
Beautifully said ‘holic.
Nice article. Rocky is a legend. So sad that he was never given a real oportunity at my team Leeds because he was a natural successor to Gordon Strachan. Always had kind words to say about Leeds & Wilko despite being frozen out by the boss which says a lot about the bloke.
Fantastic post ‘Holic.
Rocky, you are always in our hearts and never forgotten.
Enough said.
Great post ‘holic.
RIP Rocky – never forgotten
Along with Chippy and Dennis, my favourite Arsenal player of the past 40 years.
Provided us with great moments of skill, passion and desire, which we don’t really see anymore.
A great player, but more importantly, a great man.
RIP Rocky and thanks for the memories, WHL ’87 is still my best feeling at a game and that was a Littlewoods Cup game!
CoYRRR’s
It’s only 9:30am, and I’ve been in tears twice already.
RIP Rocky.
Great post ‘holic.
‘Holics,
Super tribute(s) for Rocky up on Pravda.com if any of you have the time.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/remembering-rocky…-a-true-arsenal-legend
If only some of todays team showed the attitude and dedication, a true great who never fullfilled his true potential with us.
Thank you, ‘holic, for a brilliantly moving piece. God rest you, David. I’ll never forget bumping into you, on Mill Hill Broadway, on my birthday when I was a teenager. My girlfriend had just given me a card and we were going for lunch. She grabbed my card and got you to sign it, to which you said: “Hey, it was my birthday yesterday, come on, I’ll buy you a drink”. And indeed you whisked us into the Railway and had a half with us. I met you again, at your work’s do (your words), the Chelsea FC Xmas party, some years later. Not only did you remember me, you remembered my birthday and that I drank Guinness AND you made Dennis Wise buy me a drink. You then spoke to me for ages about how much you missed Arsenal and how much you loved The Club and hated not being able to play for us. You were a very special bloke, David, I will never forget you. RIP.
Thanks for sharing , Tone. Means a great deal, does that.
*teary-eyed*
For Rocky!
Oh Tone :'(
I remember so well the excitement around Elland Road when we signed David from Arsenal. A real statement of intent from Leeds United but unfortunately it never really worked out. His presence around the club did make an ageing Gordon Strachan play out of his skin to keep his place. One of my lasting memories of David was a very wet Saturday at Leeds when he played out of his skin as we tore apart Arsenal (3-0 if I remember rightly). Such a lot of respect for him as a man and player, such a lot of respect for Arsenal as a Club. He’ll be remembered in West Yorkshire and we send you our best wishes. Whilst on the sad subject, please spare a thought for Kev and Chris who were tragically taken from us 11 years ago on the 5th in Istanbul. Shame justice was never done on and off the pitch and a Leeds Arsenal final would have been befitting. Massive respect for Arsenal’s behaviour at our 1st home game post the deaths when your players laid reefs.
Fine post sir.
Long time gone, never forgotten.
http://rantingmad.com/justaman
Rocky RIP
Hello Daryl, super work there mate.
Keith and Gareth, much appreciated lads. Thanks.
Tone,
Heart warming stuff, it’s like true Xmas Spirit arriving 9 months early.
Mill Hill Broadway? the Railway? I’m born and bred in Edgware and spent much of my yoof in your neck of the woods. Small world…
Rocky could (repeat could) have been a not so good footballer but his enthusiasm, effort and that smile would have made a legend anyway. As it was, he was one of the best to have ever donned the Arsenal shirt…
So many memories, all good. RIP Rocky.
My favourite player as a kid (seems I am not the only one!). A question – is Rocky on the Legends mural at The Emirates?
I hope so….
He most certainly is Dr.C
Thanks TS – good to see they got that right!
Let’s hope some of the less committed members of our squad watch some of the tribute videos, and man the fuck up for the rest of the season
[…] false somehow. So I’ll just direct you to some excellent tributes by some long-time Gooners here, here, here, and here. And as someone who is 30 and creeping up on 31, I can tell you how scary, […]
LD @ #1
Great post Tim, that was no small contribution.
[…] Goonerholic […]
I remember Rocky’s debut, a drab grey game on a drab grey day lit up by this kid who lifted a poor old Arsenal side by just getting hold of the ball and running at people. It didn’t work that day but it did on many others! Provided me with one of the most satisfying nights of my life at the lane in ’87. For that and all the other great memories, I and lots of other “old units” will never forget you. RIP old son.
RIP Rocky never forgotten
He remains my favourite player. He should have been regarded as the best player of his generation, for whatever reason he didn’t get the universal acclaim his talent deserved. All over far too quickly, but the memories live on and on.
I have tears in my eyes reading this article, beautifully written and it sums Rocky up perfectly. Sadly and sorely missed but never forgotten. RIP.
I was 12 in the 1986-87 season and only just getting into following Arsenal in the slightly neurotic obsessive way I do now. He was the player we all wanted to be at the time.
Interesting to hear the universally positive comments from those that have either met Rocky on this board or from his former colleagues. Maybe sometimes your heroes don’t disappoint when you actually meet them – who’d have thought!
Cheers chaps for the interesting read and great memories.
Lovely tribute holic.
I truly loved Rocastle. A fine player and not only that but a proper Gooner.
R.I.P
WST, that was very emotional. Fighting back the tears here.
If you don’t mind holic, I will add my words on your lovely blog.
http://www.arsenalvision.co.uk/articles/3575-rip-rocky-my-cousin-rocastle.html
You know you are always more than a welcome guest here, Mean.
Looking forward to seeing you again on Saturday. That year has gone by bloody quickly 😉
Thank you holic,
Yes indeed looking forward to Saturday, it has flown by. Madness.
Where is the time going?
Many words will be written and many memories spoken of in tribute to the great man that David rocastle was. My memory of him illustrated the consummate pro he was. At a pre season makita tournament at wembley arsenal had just beaten spurs. All the arsenal squad took their seats after their game to watch the next match in the 4 team tournament.
All the arsenal boys were chatting laughing and joking except for Rocky. He sat intently watching the whole match obviously fascinated by the quality continental teams on show
I sat in the next block to the players and I was so impressed with his attitude.
A great player and a great man
[…] can imagine the celebrations of Goonerholic when Rocky scored the winner at White Hart Lane to send Arsenal through to the League Cup final. I […]
Gone but not forgotten.
I don’t know how you do it, ‘holic, but reading you is at times the equivalent of pressing the “play” button on an old VHS player to watch a videotape your parents made of you when you were a kid.
It all comes back flowing at once.
RIP Rocky.
[…] The Goonerholic’ is at his very best here… […]
R.I.P rocky a true legend you are forever in our hearts thanks for the awesome times
Great piece ‘holic.
I can’t top it….my favourite player during perhaps my favourite years every standing on the North Bank and being able to afford to travel away. When we sold him my heart sank and ten years ago it sank that much further.
He’ll never be forgotten for his football nor his wonderful personality.
Unfortunately, my Arsenal education came much too late in life (late 30s). I had to buy the books and watch “Fever Pitch” hoping it was better than the U.S. baseball version. (It was, although Ruth Gemmell is no Drew Barrymore.) To hear the actors speak so well of David Rocastle showed the esteem in which he was held in 1989, and this film was made before he died, or (as you pointed out when quoting Graham) even retired. There was no posthumous mystique-building yet: They were saluting someone who was still alive and familiar and didn’t fill them with the regret of a life (though maybe of a career) cut short. I’m glad I got the honest portrayal of Rocastle before I knew that he was already dead.
Nice post Holic. The Golden era and a true scholar of the Arsenal
Here is a strange but TRUE story……… I was managing the “World of sport” at Finsbury Park at the time and on my day off we all went to the The Gunners pub for a few!! When on the TV it was announced that we had sold “Rocky” the shock! the horror! WHY!! WHY!! we found it hard to believe. Two days later the man himself had arrived at the WOS to say goodbye he was in tears as well as the staff, all in all a very sad sad day. Now here is the strange bit NEXT day i opened the shop as normal and we had two wax models in the windows one was “Tony Adams” and the other was “Rocky”, they were both put in position (Rocky on one knee)and held by two 10 inch steel bars, in Rocky’s case through the knee. By the time I have switched on the lights and to my amazement “Rocky” was resting against the window, the bolt had sheared off!!!! To this day we do not know how it happened!!!! It was a privilege to have met this great man on a number of occasions…And a great player….An Arsenal legend …RIP
P.S Denilson, Diaby, Bendtner go and buy a DVD on this man and see what it is all about to play for this great club!!! THE ARSENAL
A fine tribute sir.
Back in my London days I sometimes watched the reserves play when the first team were too far away, David was one of those stand out players that you could see had what it takes to make the step up. He was an Arsenal man through and through and this showed every time he pulled on the shirt.
Gone, but never forgotten.
A toast to Rocky. Cheers.
“remember who you are,what you are,and who you represent”-David Rocastle.
pure class.
Rip rocky xxx
I was one of the fortunate ones to see you play, the 5-0 win over Norwich is as clear in my mind as yesterday, god bless, hope afc have a 1 mins silence Saturday
ahh yes…THAT Norwich game…thanks Dave….that cheered me up !
Very nice, ‘Holic.
Hi Goonerholic , long time reader ,first time contributor.
Many thanks for the post ,it brought back many memories .
David was , i think , one of those very few players ( from any era ) who gets under the supporters skin , and therefore into the DNA of the club . I have been going to the Arsenal since 1970 , and it is difficult to think of any other player who enjoyed the affection of the Arsenal fans en masse like David did – Charlie George probably , Liam Brady maybe , and in later years only Tony Adams Thierry Henry and Denis come close .It is certainly a very select group .
So why Rocky ? It is true that we lionise those that die tragically young , but , as has rightly been pointed out elsewhere , the Arsenal fans maintained their hero worship after his departure from the club and long before his illness struck . ” Rocky Rocky ” chants rang out at Wembley in 93 and 98 , in Copenhagen and Paris in 95 and 96 , and indeed in any big game in which we were involved .
Rocky , it seems to me , came to symbolise , more than any other player , Arsenal’s re-emergence as a team to be reckoned with .
It is difficult to describe to the younger Arsenal fan how dire things were in 1985 . We had not won anything since 79 and had not made a creditable challenge for any trophy since Brady’s departure in 1980 , FA cup and league cup semi finals in 82-83 notwithstanding . The football we played was dull and witless and it seemed that the club , both on and off the pitch , lived in a different age . It is a measure of how desperate we all were that , on the back of a couple of fancy back flicks and irregular hints at creativity , off we rushed to get our ears pierced and our ” charlie ” haircuts , -such was the need for a hero .
In Rocky we found him – wonderful trickery , pace , strength , and above all courage – courage to take the defender on when easier but less dangerous options were available . His skill was matched only by his burning desire to win , an intensity borne of a man who was playing for ” his ” club , and whose passion shone in every gesture . Suddenly Arsenal had teams playing on the backfoot – driven forward by Rocky’s dynamism – and the trophies followed . Arsenal were back .
5 brief personal memories ;-
1. At the Lane , Littlewoods cup sf relay 1987 . It remains through many cup finals and premiership successes my favourite game that i have attended – a distant reminder of football as it was decades ago . Squeezed onto the Park Lane , swaying this way and that , and miserable , miserable because we are so tightly packed in i cant get my fags out of my jacket pocket , miserable because charlie has been carried off to the jeers of the spurs supporters , miserable because we are 1-0 down with 10 to go and i’m having to listen to three sides of the ground gleefully belt out that spirit-sapping chas n dave number . Well , we all know what happened next – an equaliser from the moustachioed one and then relentless arsenal pressure to a soundtrack of almost primal noise from the Park Lane until David swung his left foot and almost shyly raised an arm to signal an eruption at our end . At the final whistle , there he was 5 yards from me , the other side of the iron fence , modestly waving to the crowd , then hands on hips blowing heavily , then the clenched salute whilst his eyes savoured his victory , our victory .
2. Anfield Littlewoods Cup sept 1988 – in the away end making lots of noise – no longer lambs to the slaughter . The team play on the front foot , young tyros with no fear , and outplay the mighty Liverpool on their own patch . 1-0 down to some Barnes magic , their solitary effort , but one man still believes , driving us forward time and again , always dangerous , pings one – top right hand corner , the whole end erupts . 1-1 it finishes and we eventually lose a second replay , but no matter we have a man who believes and he’ll return to Anfield the following may .
3.Anfield may 89 – settled in front of the tv with like minded compadres . Frustration mounts on the pitch and in the living room . Into the second half , still 0-0 , still no breakthrough . Rocky is fouled and the ball not handed over . ” Lump him Rocky ” , is the shout in the living room and the thought appears to briefly cross his mind – but then the focus – the eyes shine , the fist is clenched , and the roar goes out to his teammates . The living room believes again . The free kick is taken . Alan Smith . We’re on our way .
4. Arsenal xmas party december 1990 . Quite by chance i am in Rumours cocktail bar in Covent Garden on the day the arsenal squad troop in for their xmas beano . I cant help stealing surreptitious glances . Winterburn and Groves slouched at the end of the bar with expressions which perhaps they believed befitted their status and which clearly warned off any outsider intrusion , alan smith and mickey thomas both a little worse for wear , Rocky talking quietly with David Seaman . Couldnt resist it – ” good luck Rocky ” whilst im buying drinks – immediately a hand is proffered , a big smile . I offer him a drink and he returns the favour . I do not want to outstay my welcome but Rocky tells me not to be stupid and buys another round . He is unfailingly polite , open , and just a very nice guy.
5.I am on a golf course of all places when i hear the news the club is willing to sell him and that he is leaving for leeds . Couldnt understand it at the time and still cant to a certain extent . Only Liam Brady’s departure from the club has engendered the same sort of feelings of sadness and end of an era melancholy .
RIP Rocky , great footballer top bloke .
Takeabowson – please post again and regularly!
A drink of whatever you fancy.
takeabowson, thank you. Enjoyed reading that – a lot.
[…] Oh Rocky, Rocky (Goonerholic) […]
An absolutely great piece, ‘holic, and some great comments too.
When I was younger I just assumed that footballers moved clubs, and it never bothered me, but when Rocky left it was the first time I can remember being affected by one.
I never got to see many games live, just recordings of Match of the Day when my dad remembered to record it for me, so my VHS (sorry Jackster 😉 ) season reviews of the late 80’s were well worn and are still well looked after.
Rocky was someone that epitomised what being an Arsenal player/ fan was all about for me, and whilst the world went Gazza crazy and all my mates wanted to be him, David was the player I wanted to try and be. It just goes to show what a difference a bit of humility can make between two talented players.
He will always be missed, and I can’t believe it has been 10 years.
RIP Rocky.
Thanks nelly. I don’t mind telling you now, I’m in bits. Seen all of the wonderful tributes to David. Brings it all back.
Got to try and preview Saturday now, as we are out tomorrow night, and you know where I am Saturday morning. Really hard not going a minute without recalling a different Rocky memory.
If you haven’t cracked now, trust .com to come up with the video that will finish you off.
http://tinyurl.com/4zuxo97
“Go on Rocky, take ‘im on” — assorted supporters, Highbury 1985-1992
Cheers, ‘holic and all.
I’ll have a Guinness and here’s to Rocky.
RIP
Well you didn’t dissapoint Holic summed it all up perfectly and to take a bow and tone well played lovely lovely comments, Sorry I couldn’t put something together absolutley under the cosh workwise and to be honest couldn’t have bettered the drinks,
My small offering is that Some Arsenal players of the past will have better stats score more goals make more apperances But in my view none will come close to winning the love of the fans like Rocky did,
Those years were the greatest years of my Arsenal supporting life and for me he will always be the symbol of that side, He had immense talent courage and pride but more than that he was a rare breed in that fame didn’t change him one jot he was a complete gentleman that puts some of today’s players to shame.
I was lucky enough to watch his full Arsenal carear and even luckier to meet him allbeit briefly on a few occasions and he oozed class and who can forget that smile it brightened up any day and drab game. He’s still got that pulling power I’ve decided to take in the game Saturday for know other reason than to show my respect to a true Arsenal legend,
God Bless Rocky gone but never Forgotten.
Up The Arse
Thanks ‘holic , i enjoyed writing it and the memories it brought flooding back.
And thank you Catalan Gunner – i will have a real “Del boy ” cocktail with lots of umbrellas which was Rocky’s drink of choice all those years ago in Rumours , and which made me laugh at the time .
Cheers to you all .
Apologies Holics life is busy great piece Holic, RIP ROCKY!!!
Evening all
‘Holic, I’ve been reading the blog for quite some time, but I am moved today to write a brief comment.
I started going to the Arsenal in the early ’80s and Rocky was my first bone fide footballing hero; only a couple of years older than me, he was of course a wonderful footballer (ahead of his time in hindsight), a good man with a heart the size of Highbury and a Gooner through and through. I was saying to my younger brother earlier today, I guess I looked up to Rocky as if he was the big brother I never had. Strange to say that of someone I never met, but that’s exactly how I felt.
Now a father of three little boys, I hope that Arsenal brings through a man of the calibre of David Rocastle that my boys can really look up to.
RIP Rocky. Thanks for the memories. God bless you and your family.
Great piece Holic, you can do misty-eyed sentiment like no-one else can. Some great comments too, takeabowson & Tone – you’re very lucky people to have shared a few moments with such a gent.
Like you all, I love Rocky too & miss him greatly. He was different class. Memories of that NLD 10 years ago send a shiver down my spine. And the following home game that week was the Valenica match, 1-0 down 2-1 up. I mention it because at half time they showed a Rocky highlights montage, & I reckon there wasn’t a dry eye in the ground that night either.
Thoughts are with his family at this time, God bless you Rocky.
Legend.
Just a thought ‘Holic, in case not already in the pipeline…
Might it be possible to compile a selection of some of the genuinely moving tributes you’ve gathered, and putting them into a book to pass onto Rocky’s family via AFC? Perhaps even a collaborative effort with some of your blogging compadres?
I would imagine the club will do something in any case, but how special would it be for Rocky’s nearest and dearest to read some of this stuff and know how much he was-and still is-cherished by Gooners.
And before I forget; a pint of your finest black stuff please barman.
I raise my glass to Rocky and to you all.
legend forever RIP