Bob Stokoe appreciation thread

Cockney Mackem · 13th December 2002, 03:04 PM

Bob Stokoe is the last man who brought glory and silverware to Sunderland. For a few special years he seemed to be on the verge of leading us back to our pre-war greatness and although it wasn't to be, he remains a legend and an icon for that amazing day on May 5th 1973.

Tragically it has emerged recently that "Sir" Bob has Alzheimers, the degenerative brain disease especially affecting the elderly, which means that Bob may soon know nothing of his own great deeds.

Please if you can, join in with your own messages of sympathy and/or appreciation for the great man.

SuperKev · 13th December 2002, 03:10 PM

Hopefully, this tragic illness will never totally erase the memory of that great day from Sir Bob's mind.

It is the first memory I can remember as a child aged 3 and it is one that I hope that I will never forget.

Thank you.

MakemX · 13th December 2002, 03:12 PM

As a four year old child, on a saturday, my mam dressed my in Red and White, in may 1973 and plonked me down in front of the television, little did I realise at the time that I was watching the greatest FA Cup game in the 20th Century.

Against a Leeds team who just had to turn up at quarter to five to lift the trophy against a Sunderland side who were second division and were kindly there to make the numbers up.

I have watched the game (and cup run) a hundred times since and am inspired by the manner in which Sunderland played (knocking out Arsenal and Manchester City on the way) and the manner in which we were managed.

Bob Stokoe will always hold a special place in my heart, he is synonymous with the greatest giant killing act in FA Cup history.

A gentleman and scholar of football as football should be played.

The run across the hallowed turf to Monty will live long in the memory of sunderland supporters then, today and in the future.

johnkaysleftleg · 13th December 2002, 03:15 PM

Your achivement becomes more important with every passing year of failure. You provided us with the one truly bright spot in the last 60 years or so. Allthough I was but a babe in arms at the time hearing my dads voice crack whenever he speaks of the day shows just what it ment the the supporters of Sunderland. I hope your not suffering to mutch as you brought sutch pleasure to us all,

All the best Bob from JKLL

Major Major · 13th December 2002, 03:15 PM

He may not have got us as high as Reidy in the league, but there is no doubt who the most-loved SAFC manager is in my lifetime.He took us over when we were in the nether regions of the old division 2..I was 13 years old. I recall he lost his first game at home 0-1 (hope Wilco...). the cup draw at Notts County got us going. Over 30,000 for the Reading match at Roker, biggest crowd for years. But the Man City game got us national attention, they were THE sexiest team of the time. The replay has been voted as the best game ever at Roker. I shudder at the noise, it was unbelievable. QF, semis, final. Bob with his trilby, dancing , hugging Monty. His white /grey overcoat. His unassuming manner. The 75 promotion season. Resigning after 11 games or so, Rumours of ill-health. To a start-struck 13 year old, he WAS the Messiah. And whisper it quietly, he always will be. God bless you Bob.

13th December 2002, 03:17 PM

being a wee slip of a lad i remember it was the second cup final i ever saw on a colour telly.I also remember me mam and auntie screaming every time peter lorimer got the ball and the chair me and me cousin sat in tipping over after that save!!

the sight of the flasher mac and the tacky red tracky bottoms running towards monty is raising the hairs on the back of me neck as i type this!!

You gave us perhaps the greatest day in our history bob and thoughts are with your family now

Supa Nico · 13th December 2002, 03:17 PM

i wasnt around in his era wasnt even i twinkle in my fathers eye yet he will remain up there in the sunderland greats for a long time to come

24/02/79 · 13th December 2002, 03:18 PM

5 May 1973.

I was there and I will never forget.

Best wishes to Bob, friends and family.

The Mighty Mackem · 13th December 2002, 03:18 PM

them red tracky bottoms will live with me till the day I die!

Snappydresser · 13th December 2002, 03:23 PM

As a spotty 14yr old lad exiled from his homeland darn saarf i too sat and watched the 73 cup run on telly.

They say schooldays are the best of your life but the schoolday after that Cup final victory was very special indeed. Instead of saying"you support who?" all my mates were all of a sudden aware of the mighty SAFC and their manager.

Thank you Bob Stokoe, you will always be loved like a member of my own family.