“David Rocastle’s death seven years ago was a tragic end to the life of a true Highbury legend, whose career at Arsenal culminated with the club’s return to the peak of English football. He was as integral a part of my childhood trips to Highbury as Dixon, Adams and all the other footballing heroes of my formative years, and from the way he is still revered on the terraces today, it is clear that thousands of others feel the same way about him.
Thanks to his gentlemanly demeanour and the grace he displayed on and off the field, his untimely demise touched a far wider audience than just Arsenal fans, and it is to his great credit that his reputation managed to transcend the club rivalries that abound in the sport. And the way in which Arsenal has kept his memory alive throughout the years since his death – naming training facilities in his honour, raising funds for charity in his name, and so on – gives solace to his family that the man may be gone, but his legacy is by no means forgotten.”
Seth Freedman - Journalist, The Guardian
March 28th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Adored you growing up, you were an absolute gem of a player and the day I heard of your death I was absolutely gutted. Equally as emotional was your young son Ryan, leading us out in the 2001 FA Cup Final…
Thanks for all the memories Rocky and I’ll never ever forget you!
Rest In Peace
March 28th, 2008 at 11:21 am
rocky rocastle,legend, hero to us all, thanks for the memories
mate…..gone but never ever forgotten……e i e.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
WOW! What a player Rocky was and it was a sad day when he was transferred. It says something about the love Arsenal fans have for him that they revere him to this day and beyond. Just think how immensely proud this sort of response must make his family. Proud to be an Arsenal fan when I see such tributes.Thanks to all.
Soyab, California
March 28th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Rocky a true Arsenal legend , proud to have seen him play ,I’m sure he will be sitting upstairs with the Bear.
His legend lives on
E.I.E
March 28th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
It was a pleasure ,no honour to see Rocky play for Arsenal.he was one of us, he knew what it meant to be ARSENAL…
A few more of our friends have joined you upstairs rercently, all good lads, may you all rest in peace….
you will all be remembered on the 2 nd May….
E.I.E
March 28th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
It was a pleasure ,no honour to see Rocky play for Arsenal.he was one of us, he knew what it meant to be ARSENAL…
A few more of our friends have joined you upstairs recently, all good lads, may you all rest in peace….
you will all be remembered on the 2 nd May….
E.I.E
March 29th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Wonderful player and a wonderful person.
Sadly missed by all Gooners but never forgotten.
Greatest tribute I can pay to the great man is to say he’d be a certainty in midfield on the right-hand side of any greatest ever Arsenal eleven.
Legend.
March 29th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
the word legend is quite often spoken of these days with footballers but rocky rocastle is definatly a true arsenal legend, he entertained us weekly with his excellent football the kind of which we are used to seeing nowdays, technically he was ahead of his time a vision of things to come for the arsenal may he never be forgotten, a great loss to arsenal and to the world.
March 30th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I’ve been an Arsenal fan for more years than I can remember but never had the privilege of seeing David Rocastle play live. Like all true fans, I was grieved to hear the sad news of his illness and death. However, in the year that the world was left bereft of his brilliance, I was honoured to meet his cousin Rena who has become a great friend.
David’s memory remains vivid with us all: his footballing excellence is imprinted in the hearts of the fans and in Arsenal’s history books. Greatness has no limitations and Rocky was truly great.
March 31st, 2008 at 6:20 am
I have been a gooner for just over 20 years and how we could do with a Rocky type player in the Arsenal squad now, talent, physical presence and passion in abundance.
I remember his goal against United at Highbury in 1991 when he pretty much near enough ran his from own goalline did a 1-2 and slotted the ball past at the time Les Sealey for a marvellous goal.
Everything about Rocky personified class, and a true gentleman in every sense of the world. He may be gone but Rocky will never be forgotten, and I shall be singing his name out loud at the Liverpool game on Wednesday.
God bless you David, you gave us all wonderful memories and ones we remember for the rest of our lives.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:45 am
“Always loved, Always in my heart, Always missed, Never forgotten”
March 31st, 2008 at 9:27 am
Iam one of those lucky Arsenal fans who was priviledged enough to witness “Rocky” in full flight jinking past defenders and blasting the ball into the net like he did against Liverpool away in the Littlewoods Cup.I will never forget the goal he scored for us off the underside of the bar against Manchester United and his effort,skill and power was a pleasure for every Arsenal fan to watch.You scored the famous 1-0 down,2-1 up goal and were a true Gunner in every sense of the word.
Always to be remembered and never to be forgotten “Rocky”.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Privileged to have seen Rocky play
a genuine Arsenal legend and a down to earth a person , he will be sitting up in the Clockend in the sky with the other Arsenal greats.
EiE
March 31st, 2008 at 3:18 pm
forever in our hearts, true arsenal legend.
E.I.E
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:55 am
Gone but not forgotten - you will always be in the hearts of all gooners R.I.P know your there always smiling done on us.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:46 am
David,
You were a good person and didnt deserve to finish so young.. You were a legend. R.I.P David Rocastle
xxxxx