Oh Rocky, Rocky. A tribute to David 'Rocky' Rocastle 2nd May 1967- 31st March 2001

IT seems hard to believe that it is now 16 years since we lost David Rocastle. The words 'legend' and 'superstar' are branded about far too easily these days, especially at people who have not truly earned it. But someone who certainly did deserve those accolades was the man simply known as Rocky.

So what made him so special? Well at his peak he was quiet simply the best footballer I have ever seen. Back in the late 1980's people talked about Glenn Hoddle or Paul Gascoigne, and Arsenal fans would always mention Liam Brady. But for me Rocky topped the lot.

He had everything; strength, pace, skill, vision. He could run, tackle, pass, shoot, and score goals. Wonderful, wonderful goals. But above all else he was just a down-to-earth guy who never forgot where he came from, who he represented, and how lucky he was to playing football for a living.

Rocky was born on a tough council estate in Lewisham, South-East London, on May 2 1967, and was brought up by his mother following the death of his father in 1972. After leaving school in 1983, Rocky joined Arsenal as an apprentice and I first heard about him through his exploits in the youth and reserve teams.

It was therefore no real surprise when he made his Arsenal debut in September 1985 against Newcastle United at Highbury. It was not a particularly memorable match (it finished 0-0) and it was not a particularly memorable season (we finished 7th) but Rocky shone like a beacon through the mediocrity and he became an instant hero of mine. And he was only a year older than me.

The following season saw a then 19-year-old Rocky really establish himself in the Arsenal side under new manager George Graham. He was a regular in the No. 7 shirt on the right wing as we won the Littlewoods Cup at Wembley, and he became a true Gooner legend when he scored the injury time winner in the semi final replay at White Hart Lane.

Over the next two-and-half years Rocky became one of the best young players in the country as Graham plotted the downfall of Liverpool. He was ever-present in the 1988-89 title winning season and gave us many more great memories; a wonder-strike against Middlesbrough where the ball seemed permanently stuck to his right foot as he slalomed past challenge after challenge; a 30 yard chip at Villa Park, and a great goal at Liverpool in the Littlewoods Cup. And lets not forget it was Rocky who won the free kick that led to our all-important first goal in the title decider at Anfield that May. He was voted Young Player of the Year and became a regular in the England squad.

It was a shame that injury and illness began to affect his performances just as he was reaching his peak. I recall an article in the match day programme by Graham in early 1990 saying how Rocky was out of the team as he had been suffering with breathing problems, perhaps the start of the ill health that would ultimately cost him his young life.

Following an incident at Millwall in 1989 when he swallowed his tongue, Rocky suffered a difficult 18 months and played just 16 times in the 1990-91 title winning season. Many were writing him off as it appeared his best days were already behind him, incredible when you think he was still only 24.

However the signing in September 1991 of his childhood friend, Ian Wright (the pair had grown up together on that same council estate in Lewisham), seemed to re-invigorate his career and he enjoyed a fine 1991-92 season, missing just four games. The highlight was a wonderful solo goal at Old Trafford where he chipped Peter Schmeichal from 25 yards after out-muscling both Paul Ince and Bryan Robson.

But that proved to be his last season at the club. I will never forget when I heard the news he had been sold to champions Leeds United for what seems an incredibly low fee of just £2million. Rocky WAS Arsenal and it seemed unbelievable that he would no longer be playing for us. I heard he cried when Graham told him they had accepted Leeds' offer and that tells you all you need to know about the man. He loved Arsenal; it was his club and he showed it every time he pulled on the shirt.

Unfortunately his career rapidly went downhill after that. Following two largely unsuccessful years at Elland Road, Rocky played half a season at Manchester City, where he helped them avoid relegation, before returning to London with Chelsea in 1994. His time there was blighted by injury and the highlight was helping them reach the semi final of the European Cup Winners Cup in 1995, which had they won would have seen him face former club Arsenal in the final. In the end he made less then 30 appearances in his four years at Stamford Bridge, where he also spent loan periods with both Norwich City and Hull City.

He ended his playing career in 2000 in Malaysia with a club called Sabah where he was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer that attacks the immune system. I did not even know he had been ill when the news of his death broke on the morning of a North-London derby on March 31 2001. He was just 33. It was the most emotional match I have been to and even though we beat Spurs 2-0, it meant nothing. We had lost a legend and I had lost my first football idol. The chants of 'Oh Rocky, Rocky...' were sang through tear-stained eyes that day...

I was actually lucky enough to meet Rocky once in the early 1990's. He was out of the side injured at the time and I was at the ground picking up a ticket when he emerged from the main entrance with David Hillier. Through my work in the media, I have met and spoken to many footballers over the years but this was different, this was Rocky. Although I was around 23-years-old at the time, I felt like a lost little boy as he approached me and smiled. I really wanted to say something but I was, for the first and so far only time in my life, completely star-stuck.

In the end I managed to utter some nonsense about his injury but he was only too happy to stop and chat, telling me he was on the mend and would be fit in a week or two. He then shook my hand, signed my ticket stub and he was off. Of course I now wish I had spoken to him in more depth and told him how much I idolised him but I was just a quivering wreck who could barely manage a smile and a thanks! Unfortunately this was in the days before camera-phones so I have no pictorial evidence of our meeting, but that is the moment I always look back on whenever I think of him.

Of course I am not a member of his family, I was not a personal friend of his and, apart from that one brief encounter, I never knew the man. Yet I feel a part of me died that day 16 years ago. He had been a big part of my life and contributed to so many of the greatest moments I had ever experienced.

Football may have moved on and many players have come and gone since, but Rocky will never be forgotten. We have won many trophies and enjoyed many great times but rarely does a day go by that I do not think about the great man in the No. 7 shirt.

He was from a different time; a time when players played for a love of the club and not the pay cheque. In fact he would probably have played for Arsenal for nothing. He was one of us yet one of a kind. He was simply our Rocky. RIP to a real legend.

Jon Boardman, the forgotten man?

When thinking back to the Daggers side that won the Conference title in 2007, central defender Jon Boardman may not be the first name that springs to mind. He joined the Daggers from Rochdale in January 2007 as replacement for Shane Blackett and was a regular in the side over the second half of that Conference title winning season. He played in the clubs first ever match in the Football League, at Stockport County in August that year, but injuries hampered his progress and he left to join Woking in the summer of 2009 having made just 36 appearances for the club, scoring three goals. In this exclusive interview, Jon reflects on his early career, his time at Victoria Road and his hopes for the future.

Jon Boardman in his Daggers kit.

Who did you support as a boy and who were your footballing idols growing up?

I began supporting Liverpool but then moved on to Crystal Palace as I began playing for them when I was 10. The players I used to like watching at Crystal Palace were Ian Wright, John Salako and Chris Coleman.

Tell us a little about your early career?

I started off at the Crystal Palace centre of excellence when I was 10 and was lucky enough to be offered YTS at 16 and then a pro contract at 18. I stayed there for 5 years full time but didn't make it into the first team so moved on to play for Woking in the Conference, staying for 3 and a half years.

How did the move to the Daggers come about and what made you want to join the club?

I was looking to get back down south as things hadn't really worked out at Rochdale, and we had just found out my wife was pregnant, so it was good timing as John Still was looking for a centre half to plug the gap that was going to be left by Shane Blackett's departure. As soon as I heard that Dagenham were interested I came to meet John and knew it was a great opportunity to join a club that was going in the right direction.

You arrived as the team where on their way to the Conference title, what was it like coming into the dressing room at that time?

I can honestly say it was the best dressing room I have been in. It was a great time to join as the lads were doing so well but the work ethic and positivity at the time were second to none, and I felt at home straight away.

What was it like to play for John Still?

I loved playing for Stilly and learnt more from him than any other manager. He simplified the game and made sure that everyone knew what their jobs were. He was very demanding and we worked very hard but nobody could complain that they weren't prepared and knew what was expected of them. It also helped that he used to be a centre half himself so we spent a lot of time working on the small things that make a big difference for defenders. He also used to let us win all the competitions in training which was always pleasing as the forwards had to do extra running, but they did need it as they never ran enough in games!! 

What are your memories from your time at the club? Your personal highlight?

It's a funny one really as my memories of my time at Dagenham are mostly fond, however I spent pretty much the whole of my last year injured which personally was a tough time. However my overriding memories are of when I joined the club and how lucky I was to be part of a winning team, personally scoring two goals against York at home to make it three wins in a massive week for the club always sticks in my memory. Also beating Sam Sloma at two touch on a regular basis was enjoyable!!

The move never really worked out for you in the end, mainly due to the injuries you mention, so how would you sum up your time with the club? Do you have any regrets?

I'll always maintain that I enjoyed my time at Dagenham, no doubt it was hampered by injury which definitely stopped me fulfilling my full potential. When I first joined I was fit and playing well and if I could have stayed fit and continued to progress under the guidance of Stilly I would like to believe I could still be there now. However I am fairly philosophical about my injuries, it is an occupational hazard of being a footballer and I was lucky enough to have a career playing full time football for 13 years. I don't have any regrets, it's always easy to look back with the benefit of hindsight and perhaps wish you had made different decisions, but every decision I made was the right one at the time and I always gave 100% which I believe is all you can do.

Do you still keep in contact with anyone at the club?

Yes I still speak to several of the lads. The team that won the Conference all try and meet up every few months, which I hope we always will as it was a good time in all our careers and was the best dressing room I was in in my career.

Tell us a little about your career since leaving the Daggers? Where are you playing now?

When I left the Daggers I was still recovering from injury and signed for Woking hoping to be fit for the start of the season, but unfortunately I had a recurrence of my injury and had to have another operation in pre season. I finally got fit in October and remained at Woking last season but I never really rediscovered the form or fitness I needed to so the decision was made for me to go part time and I signed for Kingstonian FC. However a month into my time at K's I found a full time job in Reading which made it impossible to combine the two. I am now a IT Recruitment Consultant working for Progressive Recruitment in Reading and play part time for Hungerford FC who are in the Zamaretto South and West. Both are going well. It is a shock to the system doing a full time job after being a footballer but I have been there six months now and am really enjoying it. Football is also good. I finally feel fit again, we have a good team and set up and our aim is to get promoted this season.

Do you still follow the clubs results?

I always look out for the Daggers results and would like to come and watch them more often but living in Reading now it is hard to find the time.

Who has been the best player you played with and the best player you played against?

The best player I have played with is Grant Holt when I was at Rochdale. It is a pleasure to play with someone like Holty as he never stops working and can get a goal from anywhere. He has gone on to prove himself in the Championship this season and if Norwich gain promotion he could even be playing in the Premier League next season. The best player I have played against is Tugay at Blackburn. He must have been in his mid-thirties but absolutely ran the game, his passing was unbelievable and you just couldn't get the ball off him.

Finally, are you surprised at how far the Daggers have come in the last few years? Did you feel you were a part of something special at the time?

I'm not surprised at all at how far the Daggers have come, Stilly is a great manager who knows how to get the best out of his players and build a very solid team. We had no right to win the Conference as we had much less of a budget than a lot of teams that year and no doubt that was more apparent when they got promotion from League 2. But it's about the team spirit and attitude that surrounds the club. They will need this more than ever this season as it is their first in League 1 but I'm confident that they will stay up and be stronger next season. I definitely felt part of something special, the club has defied all odds and anyone who has been involved in that journey has been part of something special, at the end of the day the Daggers are just a pub team from Essex!!

I would like to thank Jon for taking the time to do this interview and wish him all the best for the future.

Old Trafford...only more nightmares for us!

I have never really enjoyed going to Old Trafford. Maybe it is because I loathe everything the club stands for and hate giving them my money, maybe it is because I loathe all the glory hunting fans who attach themselves to the club or maybe it is just because we rarely seem to score there let alone win.
Despite all this though I decided to make the trip again for this FA Cup quarter final tie mostly because I had managed to get a ticket for Emerson for what would be his first visit to the 'Theatre Of (Bad) Dreams...more then most United fans then!
The trip down was livened up by a clown in a silver Astra who overtook us in the roadworks section of the A1 between Leeming Bar and Dishforth, giving the 'wanker' sign as he went past. He then slowed down to allow us to pass before speeding up again and giving us more hand gestures! Nice! Perhaps it was because of the Arsenal scarf in the back window or the fact that Emerson was wearing his yellow away top or perhaps he had just read one of my blogs...Anyway this continued all the way onto the M62 until he suddenly disappeared, presumably up his own backside, somewhere just past Leeds.
On entering Manchester we decided to park at the Lowry Mill Retail Centre where you get 4 hours free parking if you buy something in the Mall. So Burger King it was then, and much better then paying £10 to a spiv in a yellow jacket to park in a company car park that he probably has no right to charge you for in the first place...



Lowry Mill, free parking if you buy a burger!

 Emerson always likes to get in the ground early, so after he insisted on stroking a police horse, we entered the away section, East Stand Tier 2 Block E334, more then an hour before kick off. The atmosphere in the concourse area was building up nicely and Emerson was soon jumping up and down singing along to the Samir Nasri song and the song about Tottenham going to Rome to see the Pope. I was just glad he didn't ask me what it was all about!
We went up to our seats and were pleased to see the view was very good, far better then in the lower corner where I have always been in the past. Soon the away section began filling up and the atmopshere was clearly going to be something special with Emerson particularly enjoying the song about winning the league at Old Trafford.

View for our seats

Now I do not usually get nervous before a game, I have been to far too many for all that, but I was certainly feeling apprehensive as the teams came out. Maybe it was just the memory of my last cup visit here, a 4-0 FA Cup defeat three years ago. Emerson was feeling optimistic though and boldly predicted a 2-1 win with Nasri scoring the winner...oh the innocence of youth!
United's tactics were clear from the start, how else can you play when you pick seven, yes seven, defenders in your starting team? We dominated the early possession without ever really looking like scoring while all they did was hit a long ball towards Hernandez or one of the Di Silva twins. Very 1980's Wimbledon. They were so content with defending that even Rooney, apparently the best English striker we have, was playing as a third (or was it fourth?) centre back at times. No wonder the United 'faithful' were so quiet...
Inevitably though they scored in their first real attack. Almunia saved from the little P(rick) and one of the Di Silva twins tapped home from about three yards, although judging by his celebration you would have thought he scored a 35 yard screamer...
We continued to dominate proceedings after that but the nearest we came to scoring before the break was when RvP brought a fine save from fellow countryman Van der Saar and Koscienly then headed the resulting corner against the bar.
Half time was brought to life by a rendition or two from the United supporters choir, the first time anyone supporting United had been heard singing all day, but we soon drowned them out with another burst of the winning the league at Old Trafford song. Just a shame it was nine years ago...
The second half saw Valencia come on for his first appearance since breaking his leg in September and even I applauded his arrival, not least as it meant Fergie was now surely looking to attack. But we should have been level straight from the restart as VdS twice denied Koscienly in the same attack, the second of which was a truly world class save.
But our hopes for a better second half were short lived as they went straight up the other end to double their lead. I was not exactly sure how it came about as it was at the far end, but my initial reaction was that we should have defended better before Rooney headed home for his 100th goal against Arsenal or something.
Now we usually struggle to score one at Old Trafford so the chances of getting two seemed remote to say the least but we gave it a go. In fact only some more top keeping from VdS prevented us getting back into it and made us wonder why every single opposition keeper plays a man of the match performance against us? Foster at Wembley, Maginot last week and now VdS...



Van der Saar man of the match

 Emerson then took a break from his singing to ask me who our No. 2 was. 'Abu Diaby,' I replied. 'Well he is useless we should take him off...'
Then, soon after, he asked me who the No.7 was who had just come on. 'Tomas Rosicky,' I replied. 'He is useless as well, why did we bring him on?' Maybe he is not so innocent after all then...
The highlight of the second half though was the return of Aaron Ramsey who, just like Valencia, was returning from a broken leg. It was certainly great to see him back but it made our lack of variety even more obvious. Wilshere, Nasri, Ramsey, Fabregas...all great players but they essentially do the same job. Then when Scholes came on for them in the closing stages it was clear what we were missing. He proceeded to kick everyone in a yellow shirt but amazingly got away with just a single yellow card when he could easily have got three or four...but we could certainly do with a bit of that steel in our midfield.
The day was then made even worse when Djourou went down injured in the closing stages, a dislocated shoulder apparently, to leave us down to ten men for the remaining few minutes as we had already used all three substitutes. But rather then get down about it we just started a five minute rendition of the winning the league at Old Trafford song before the United fans finally came to life at the end. Yes we had certainly forgotton that they were here...



Beaten but still showing his colours

 After the support we had given the boys it was slightly disappointing to see only one or two come over and acknowledge us at the end, so well done to Nasri, Wilshere and Emmanuel Eboue who hadn't even got on, but where were the rest of them??
I thought Emerson would be disappointed we had lost but he seemed in good spirits.'It was a good match,' he said 'We played well,' before going out into the Manchester night singing 'We love you Arsenal we do...'
The journey home was far duller with no twat in an Astra to amuse us and we arrived back in Barton just in time to see the highlights on ITV, at least that was what we thought until we realised there were actually no highlights on! So perhaps there is a God after all...

Two down...two to go??

When we lost 4-1 at the Nou Camp last April we had witnessed a masterclass from Barca and from Lionel Messi. We had been outplayed and outclassed and I had no complaints. This time I just feel cheated.

Yes Barca had all the possession and all the shots before the ridiculous sending off of Robin van Persie but then we had produced the classic 'George Graham' European away performance. Soaked it all up and then got the crucial goal from a set piece.

At that point I knew we would go through. Barca would have got edgy towards the end and I fully expected us to get a second on the break. But once the referee decided to produce a second yellow card for the serious offence of shooting at goal in a noisy stadium that was that.

Even before the sending off it was clear where his allegiances lie. Every little thing went the way of Barca. Everytime we closed them down, went to tackle, even looked at one of their player funny, he gave them a free kick. Yet when Messi was brought down in the area by Johan Djourou he waved play on! Unbelievable. Of course he gave them a penalty in the end. He had to.

So while I would love to be writing about how great Barca were and how it was no disgrace to go out to them I am afraid I cannot do that.

Robin van Persie's sending off changed the game

Yes they played some lovely football. Wenger football as I like to call it. But while it was 11 v 11 we were very much in the game. We defended well and when they did breakthrough Manuel Almunia suddenly looked like a keeper again.

At no point in the first hour did I feel we would go out. Wenger got his tactics almost spot on. Almost. I would have started Andrey Arshavin instead of Tomas Rosicky and took the game to them a little more, but hey I don't get paid a massive salary to make those calls. I just get paid a tiny salary to write about them.

At 1-1 they would have taken more and more chances and with fresh legs the final fifteen minutes we would have scored again. No doubt about it. Yes we may have lost the game 3-2 in the end but it would have been enough.

Instead we are out of the Champions League thanks to the man in white and the quadruple has now become a mere double. No doubt by 7.30 on Saturday evening it will just be a single. Yes thats the way it goes with us. Lose one trophy and we lose the plot. It has happened time and again.

 

The Carling Cup was the first trophy to disappear

                          


Quickly followed by the Champions League

                                    
But whatever the result on Saturday I am convinced we will still win the Premier League. Why? Because Manchester United are awful. We will beat them at the Emirates, they will drop points against Chelsea and away at Bolton while, apart from Spurs and Stoke away, we will win the rest and that will be enough. 79-81 points will do it. Just another 7-8 wins.

But back to tonight. Every year around this time I feel like this when we get knocked out of Europe. Sometimes it is early April, sometimes late April, once it was the end of May. But it always happens. The only trophy we have never won is the only one I want us to win. But winning the Premier League will compensate. It has too. After Saturday it could be all we have left...