David Rocastle: Gone But Not Forgotten

Football isn`t simply about what`s going on on the pitch, it`s about the game, the players, the singing, the fans, the history, the experience, the entire package.

If I had to guess I`d wager fans spend as much time talking about the past as they do talking about present proceedings at their favoured club. Walk into any pub on match-day and at any point you`ll be able to hear at least one group of people reminiscing about a former player, be he one of the greats or not so great.

Today is one day that Gooners spend some time in quiet reflection or deep discussion about one of the all time greats as we celebrate the life of Arsenal legend, David Rocastle on this the 11th anniversary of his death.

Taken from us at the tender age of 33, Rocky was simply an amazing footballer and by all accounts, a gentleman and all round good egg.

There are few players from the 80s and 90s with adequate enough swashbuckling abilities to be able to perform at the highest level in both the grimy, bumpy pitched, cloggers football of the pre-Premier League era and the slick and smooth style of Arsene Wenger`s Arsenal. Rocky was "that" good he could have performed at any level in any league.

Many opinions of a person increase exponentially once they pass away simply as a matter of respect and remembrance, but David Rocastle has always commanded the same quantity of respect and goodwill in life as he does in death because of his work ethic and silky abilities on the football pitch and also because he`s genuinely on of life`s good guys.

So as the Mighty Arsenal take on QPR today in a quest for an 8th consecutive league victory take some time to reflect on your favourite Rocky moments, and if you`re going to the game, a vociferous chorus of "Oh Rocky, Rocky ….." would do just nicely.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.