It has been an historical week for our beloved Arsenal. With statues of legends unveiled and a multitude of Gunner heroes honoured before the Everton match last Saturday, but for us middle aged Gooners it was also a time to remember the legend who could not be there.
David ‘Rocky’ Rocastle graced our team in the late eighties and early nineties, winning two titles and a League Cup under George Graham. Whenever the ill-informed recall this side as ‘boring’ and functional, I always remind them that we lost one game in the whole 1991 season, scoring a hatful of goals in the process and had in the team one of the most graceful and skilful midfielders of his era in Rocky.
I was fortunate enough to be able to conduct an online interview with David’s son Ryan, but before hand I had sent him this, a quote that Ryan did remember his dad sharing with him at a young age:
‘I ran home immediately to my wife in excitement and said, ‘I’ve seen the nearest thing to a Brazilian footballer you’ll ever see in our Academy…..and he’s from Lewisham!’ – David Dein on Rocky Rocastle.
I consider myself enormously honoured that Ryan, 20, agreed to this interview. After all I am just a passionate fan and his father was a hero to me when I was Ryan’s age. I hope you enjoy the questions and honest answers and take the opportunity to pay your respects to his father, a true home-grown Arsenal legend by leaving a comment or message for Ryan and his family.
Here is how the interview went down:
Hi Ryan, I saw you pictured with Thierry Henry last week at the celebrations at the Emirates. Do you still get to most games and where do you sit?
Yeah that was just after he had been given his statute, I’ve met him a few times now and he’s such a good guy. I go to the Emirates as often as I can and sit just behind the away dugout. I really like the seat.
I watched your dad so many times and have so many wonderful memories of his skill and talent. What are you favourite memories of your father as a footballer?
As a player you have watched him many more times than me. I’m only 20 so did not really get to see him play too much. I remember when he was playing in Malaysia towards the end of his career, he scored a brilliant free kick, but from his time at Arsenal I’ve mostly seen video of youtube clips. From those clips the best bit of skill was the goal at Old Trafford.
For those who haven’t seen this incredible goal please view HERE.
David ‘Rocky’ Rocastle will forever be in my memories.The spirit of a fighter he had within him was incredible.Salute to David ‘Rocky’ Rocastle.
Great interview. I was at Rocky’s debut back in 85, just a little 14 year old Junior Gunner back then. I don’t remember a great deal about the day, but as time went on, we could see that we had a player. I grew up with Rocky and the team that George built. The late 80s were a fantastic time to support Arsenal both on and off the pitch. A true Arsenal legend, and so sadly missed.
@jimthegooner
As a true arsenal fan I have to say that Rocky lifted the spirits every time he touched the ball. He brought a level of skill and forsight into a team that was in need of it. Paul Davis allowed Rocky to express himself and wow did he do that and more. Yes we had Merse and Micky Thomas but Rocky just seemed to have that little bit more, that extra special something that only the great have, like Bergkamp and Van Persie. We were deprived of seeing him become the great I know he could of been but I am honored to say that I saw him play live many times and for that I am very thankful. Rocky you are forever missed but never forgotten and the NO.7 shirt will always be yours.
Absolutely love this quote: ‘I ran home immediately to my wife in excitement and said, ‘I’ve seen the nearest thing to a Brazilian footballer you’ll ever see in our Academy…..and he’s from Lewisham!’ – David Dein on Rocky Rocastle.
He was a fantastic footballer but an even greater man. He is deeply missed by all Arsenal fans and he is a true legend, the reception that Ryan got at the Emirates on Saturday was great!
We all love you Rocky!
What a player,still upsets me now to think of how young he was when we lost him,have his name on my shirt,wallpaper on the pc,just love him
Mark White @tootlesthetaxi tweet this to myself and Ryan earlier but I wanted to share it…
Ryan as a fan you know, when you go to a ground it’s easy to spot the crowd pleaser-he’s the bloke… that when he gets the ball, the crowd begin to buzz & it grows into a crescendo of noise! ‘Rocky’ Rocastle was our ‘buzz’! When ball went to his feet, crowd rose to theirs-all around stadium!
Sums it up really.
Dave
Thanks for the interview – very insightful! I think The Arsenal should be more pro-active when it comes to Rocastle and his legacy, of which Ryan is one!
I wasn’t at the Everton game – I live in Oslo – but naturally I saw the 125 celebrations and was very touched when Ryan came out on the pitch to represent his father. I’m 26 so I only remember Rocky from his Leeds days, but Rocky is a player and man every Gooner needs to study and it wasn’t long before I loved him as much as the Gooners a generation older than me.
I think REDaction and all Gooners should sing Rocky’s name on the 7th minute of EVERY game. There, I said it. I know his name is sung every game anyway, and I get a tear in the eye every time it does, but making it a set time in the game will get more people singing it. What do you think?!
Last contribution from me: I work in “the Arsenal Nursery” (for 1 to 6 year olds) in Oslo and the song we’re teaching the little Norwegian Gooners at the moment is Rocky’s song. When they learnt it I’ll publish an audio clip of it!
Thanks for the interview 🙂
Kristoffer. I look forward to hearing the clip. Thanks for kind words.
Rocky was a brilliant player, skilful, fast, brave and determined. I used to practice his tricks in my back garden! He was also a player we were proud to have wearing our shirt, a man of great character.
Great interview, very insightful. Rocky is forever in our thoughts.
Great, great player. Still loved by all the fans.