A Tribute Page to the Arsenal Legend
David 'Rocky' Rocastle
David Carlyle Rocastle was born in Lewisham on May 2nd 1967 to Caribbean immigrant parents who came to England in the 1950s. David left us on March 31st 2001 after suffering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the young age of 33. He left behind wife Janet, son Ryan and daughters Melissa and Monique.
His death rocked the football world as he was loved and respected by everyone.
This was portrayed by Tottenham fans on the day of his death as they participated in a silence alongside Arsenal fans before a North London Derby.
Rocastle spent majority of his career at Arsenal, he joined the club in May 1982 at the tender age of 15. He worked his way up the ranks and turned professional in December 1984. He made 277 appearances and scored 34 goals for Arsenal, however his career at Arsenal didn’t take off until he donned contact lenses.
Martin Keown said: "They couldn't work out why Rocastle was running around dribbling with his head down. So they took him to the halfway line and said: 'Can you see the goal?' and he couldn't. His eyesight was terrible. They sorted him out with contact lenses and his career took off."
He won the Supporter’s Player of the Year award in 1986 and won his first major honour the following season after the Littlewoods Cup win over Liverpool. He appeared in every league game for the next two seasons and won the title with Arsenal in 1989.
Rocastle had many highlights at Arsenal which are still remembered by everyone.
His debut against Newcastle on September 28th 1985 in a 0-0 Division one draw was the first of many. He was named in the starting line up alongside Kenny Sansom and David O’ Leary. David impressed everyone on his debut however manager at the time Howe tried to play down the hype saying:
“David passed when he should have shot, and shot when he should have passed, but he's a going to be a great player!”
Rocky scored the winner at White Hart Lane in 1987 during a league cup semi-final replay on March 4th. Allinson’s deflected shot landed at David’s feet in the box, his first touch took the ball past the defender before his second slid it home with his left foot past Ray Clemence. Not only did he score the winner in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory he was also named man of the match.
Rocastle’s memorable solo strike against Middlesbrough on 19th November 1988 stood out during the title winning season. He received the ball inside the Middlesbrough half; he shifted the ball on his left foot past his first opponent with a drop of his shoulder. He squared up the next man with a dummy and step over and deceived him then accelerated towards the penalty area. He shifted the ball onto his right foot, away from a sliding lunge from a defender. With three defenders closing down on him he took a touch to control the ball before smashing it right footed off the post and into the goal. The goal took 10 seconds from the moment he got the ball.
Not only did Rocky become a champion of England at the age of 22 after Arsenal won the league title at Anfield 89. He also won the Barclays Young Eagle of the Year award. He won the free kick that led to the first goal against Liverpool and celebrated Arsenal’s second during stoppage time. George Graham summed up David’s talent:
"He was a genius down the wing, and had a fantastic shot. His legs were so powerful and with such a short back-lift he caught defenders and goalkeepers out with early shots. He could go by people, pass it and move; an old-fashioned winger who could dribble and loved one-on-one situations."
Rocastle was again a champion with Arsenal in 1991where he only made 16 appearances due to injury.
In 1992 Rocky was sold to Leeds United for £2m. He later went on to play for Manchester City, Chelsea and finished his career at Malaysian team Sabah in 1999 after retiring due to injuries.
David earned 14 Senior England caps and scored twice. During his time with England he played alongside Des Walker and Paul Gascoigne. Although he only played for England 14 times he remained undefeated, England never lost a game when Rocky made an appearance.
Some favourite fan moments:
“White Hart Lane 1987 semi final replay.”
“That Rocky cried when he was sold. Showed he was a true Gooner.”
“His chip away at Old Trafford that went in off Schemeichel’s bonce”
“The two goals scored against Liverpool at Anfield in the FA cup, both were crackers.”
“Rocky beating Ivan Drago.”
“a personal memory. First ever match against B’Wood I was about 7 and I ran onto the field crying afterwards. Was so happy.”
Rocky7 will always live on in Arsenal fan’s hearts and never be forgotten.
His death rocked the football world as he was loved and respected by everyone.
This was portrayed by Tottenham fans on the day of his death as they participated in a silence alongside Arsenal fans before a North London Derby.
Rocastle spent majority of his career at Arsenal, he joined the club in May 1982 at the tender age of 15. He worked his way up the ranks and turned professional in December 1984. He made 277 appearances and scored 34 goals for Arsenal, however his career at Arsenal didn’t take off until he donned contact lenses.
Martin Keown said: "They couldn't work out why Rocastle was running around dribbling with his head down. So they took him to the halfway line and said: 'Can you see the goal?' and he couldn't. His eyesight was terrible. They sorted him out with contact lenses and his career took off."
He won the Supporter’s Player of the Year award in 1986 and won his first major honour the following season after the Littlewoods Cup win over Liverpool. He appeared in every league game for the next two seasons and won the title with Arsenal in 1989.
Rocastle had many highlights at Arsenal which are still remembered by everyone.
His debut against Newcastle on September 28th 1985 in a 0-0 Division one draw was the first of many. He was named in the starting line up alongside Kenny Sansom and David O’ Leary. David impressed everyone on his debut however manager at the time Howe tried to play down the hype saying:
“David passed when he should have shot, and shot when he should have passed, but he's a going to be a great player!”
Rocky scored the winner at White Hart Lane in 1987 during a league cup semi-final replay on March 4th. Allinson’s deflected shot landed at David’s feet in the box, his first touch took the ball past the defender before his second slid it home with his left foot past Ray Clemence. Not only did he score the winner in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory he was also named man of the match.
Rocastle’s memorable solo strike against Middlesbrough on 19th November 1988 stood out during the title winning season. He received the ball inside the Middlesbrough half; he shifted the ball on his left foot past his first opponent with a drop of his shoulder. He squared up the next man with a dummy and step over and deceived him then accelerated towards the penalty area. He shifted the ball onto his right foot, away from a sliding lunge from a defender. With three defenders closing down on him he took a touch to control the ball before smashing it right footed off the post and into the goal. The goal took 10 seconds from the moment he got the ball.
Not only did Rocky become a champion of England at the age of 22 after Arsenal won the league title at Anfield 89. He also won the Barclays Young Eagle of the Year award. He won the free kick that led to the first goal against Liverpool and celebrated Arsenal’s second during stoppage time. George Graham summed up David’s talent:
"He was a genius down the wing, and had a fantastic shot. His legs were so powerful and with such a short back-lift he caught defenders and goalkeepers out with early shots. He could go by people, pass it and move; an old-fashioned winger who could dribble and loved one-on-one situations."
Rocastle was again a champion with Arsenal in 1991where he only made 16 appearances due to injury.
In 1992 Rocky was sold to Leeds United for £2m. He later went on to play for Manchester City, Chelsea and finished his career at Malaysian team Sabah in 1999 after retiring due to injuries.
David earned 14 Senior England caps and scored twice. During his time with England he played alongside Des Walker and Paul Gascoigne. Although he only played for England 14 times he remained undefeated, England never lost a game when Rocky made an appearance.
Some favourite fan moments:
“White Hart Lane 1987 semi final replay.”
“That Rocky cried when he was sold. Showed he was a true Gooner.”
“His chip away at Old Trafford that went in off Schemeichel’s bonce”
“The two goals scored against Liverpool at Anfield in the FA cup, both were crackers.”
“Rocky beating Ivan Drago.”
“a personal memory. First ever match against B’Wood I was about 7 and I ran onto the field crying afterwards. Was so happy.”
Rocky7 will always live on in Arsenal fan’s hearts and never be forgotten.
We have gathered as many images of David ' Rocky' Rocastle as we can and put them in one place. The pictures have come from a variety of sources, taken by fans at games, made by fans as a tribute etc. If you have an image that you would like added, please contact us.
The aim is to have these pictures available for all Arsenal fans to see. We do not seek or make any money out of this, but just to create a page in memory of one of the nicest men and best players to ever where an Arsenal shirt.
Just click on an image to enlarge it.
The aim is to have these pictures available for all Arsenal fans to see. We do not seek or make any money out of this, but just to create a page in memory of one of the nicest men and best players to ever where an Arsenal shirt.
Just click on an image to enlarge it.
Where an owner has been identified we have tried to seek permission before publication. If we have missed you, please accept our apologies and contact us and we will rectify it.
