Bob Willis

[BOYCEY]

Shocked, I liked the fella, always spoke his mind, nevermind who he upset.

 

[Aidan11]

One of my boyhood heroes in cricket.

Still remember him in the second innings at Headingley 81 as if it was yesterday.

A true legend of English cricket

 

[AC74]

Sad day and will be missed

 

[Scotty 1978]

RIP Bob

“Well Charles”

 

[The Voice Of Reason]

Said it how it was

Sad loss

RIP

 

[filfy]

RIP Bob

 

[zebediah]

Shocked and stunned initially, now just sad.

 

[viccarlton]

Shocked and saddened at this news, R.I.P. Bob

 

[The Hesford Diet]

Very saddened and shocked to hear this news.

Didn’t Brearley bowl him up the slope from the other end just to make him angry? Also brilliant captaincy. (Or was that a different game?)

Spot on. Mike Brearley is the best England captain I can remember. He seemed to have a knack of getting the best out of a player no matter their personality or approach to the game.

 

[bomber]

remember watching it,until now never realised he was from sunderland

 

[LeicesterMackem]

Born in Sunderland. My earliest memories of cricket include Bob's three mile long run up.

 

[king of the road]

Born in Sunderland. My earliest memories of cricket include Bob's three mile long run up.

Me too, followed by an immense windmill action. Copied numerous times in the street.

 

[PNEFC111]

RIP Bob

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I witnessed his finest hour on that final day at Headingley in 1981 against the Aussies.

What a bloody marvellous day that was- we need days like that to keep us going.

RIP and thanks.

 

[TwasOnTheFifthOfMay]

Loved Bob Dylan so much he legally added Dylan as a middle name. I believe they were friends too.

 

[cooky]

RIP bob, great character, not many more like him willing to say it exactly how it is.

 

[The Breen Machine]

Absolutely gutted. Loved Bob.

 

[Al Bundy]

RIP. Great bowler.

 

[The Red Telephone]

Very sad to hear this.
In my opinion his 8-43 against the Aussies at Headingley in 81 is the best spell of genuine fast bowling by an English bowler Ive ever seen and only bettered overall by the majestic Holding at The Oval in 76.

His wonderfully morose post match interview with Peter West after the game was superb as well.

As some have said at times the only positive thing to come out of an England defeat was the chance to watch him analyse it later in the evening in his own inimitable manner.

His Diary of a Season books that he did in the late 70s/early 80s are highly recommended if you can find them.

RIP Bob you will be sorely missed.

 

[Fletch73]

Always the sign of a special human being that when they die, the news hits you harder than you'd expect.
RIP Bob. I shall listen to some Dylan and raise a bloody good glass of red to you tonight.
"Just remember, that death is not the end."

 

[Marko]

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At his best. RIP Bob