Written by Mean Lean on Thursday, 31 March 2011 11:58
There is not much in the way of current news today and that is probably just as well because for me, today is about one man and one man only. I started supporting the Arsenal properly in the late eighties and early 90's. The flair players at the time were the players that grabbed my attention the most, they were the players who I wanted to be when playing football at my local football pitch in Tufnell Park.
Anders Limpar, Ian Wright, Paul Merson and a number 7 player who started off on the right wing and then moved into central midfield. David 'Rocky' Rocastle. I looked up to those players and it was those players who made me love the club during my impressionable school age.
My best friend at the time used to say that David Rocastle was his cousin. Up to today, I still do not know how much truth was in that. I have the vague recollection of his mother confirming this to me. As I knew him since the tender age of four years old, we used to see each other as brothers so in a strange way I took it upon myself to think of David Rocastle as my own cousin. Logic didn't exist in those days so as long as I believed it then it would be true.
The number 7 for Arsenal who was doing step overs, barging past the opposition and crossing for Alan Smith was not only my idol on the pitch but he was as good as family.
It is only now when I look back at old video's and footage of his game do I appreciate the talent he had in his locker as a youngster. He was an Arsenal supporter and gave his all for the club. It is rare to find that combination at such an high level. I think of how good he could have become under a developmental manager like Arsene Wenger. George Graham did a great job with Rocastle and installed a never say die attitude in his players but the standard of football was far, far lower than it is today. David Rocastle's talents deserved a higher level of technical football.
How I would love a young David Rocastle pushing his way through the youth team now. Linking up with Van Persie, playing one-two's with Cesc Fabregas and bursting past Patrice Evra at Old Trafford. But having said that, I wouldn't have had the same childhood as I did and I will treasure that for the rest of my days.
I was furious when George Graham had sold him to Leeds United for £2 million. I could not understand why we would let go of one of us. Rocastle is Arsenal so why sell him? Apparently Rocastle was in tears when Graham told him his plans and that just shows how much he cared for the club.
I remember the game at Leeds against us, I think it may have been in the FA Cup but I could be wrong. Watching Rocastle line up for the opposition in a white kit was just wrong and felt very strange. Rocky turned on the style with a point to prove, he turned us inside out on the night.
He had spells at Manchester City and Chelsea but it was never the same, not for us and I am sure not for my 'cousin' David Rocastle.
In 2001 I was on holiday in Torquay with my girlfriend, we had only been together for about 18 months or so. We are still together to this date and she remembers the time.
I had a phone call from a friend explaining to me that David Rocastle had passed away. I was waiting for the only joking part to follow but it never and I froze. I had never cried in front of my girlfriend until that day. Sitting in a restaurant having a meal, I had tears slowly streaming down my face.
A player who I had admired week after week at Highbury, a player who I thought of as family as a young kid had passed away at only 33 years of age. That just cannot be right.
Unfortunately it is the way of the world, Arsenal players will continue to pass away during my life time if I manage to live a full life unlike the unlucky David Rocastle but not many will hurt as much as it did when I received that phone call in Torquay.
Rest in peace Rocky. Not only an amazingly talented player but he was one of us. A Gooner.
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