I would like like to post a few words regarding the recent death of two former City greats ;
On 10th August this year saw the sad departure of Brian Clark, ex City Forward, aged 67. Brian never played hundreds of matches for us, but, 195 appearances , saw a return of 83 goals between 1960 to 1967, this, along with being the son of another City great , Don, means Brian is surely a true ‘Son of City’. He was also a big player in our great promotion side in ’65. I am a little bit young to remember Brian play, but was fortunate enough to meet him a few seasons ago at a players reunion function at the Gate, and can honestly say, he was a true gent, a pleasure to talk to. Sleep well.
Back in March, also this year, saw another City great leave us, in the form of Jack Connor, who played at centre half for the Reds during the seasons of 1960-71. Jack was to go on to appear 355 times in the famous red & white , scoring on 10 occasions. He , also like Clark, was a regular in the promotion side of ’65. Jack was 75. Sleep well ‘Big man’
On a lighter note, as I approach 50 myself in a few months, it was 1969 I made my first trip to Ashton Gate, v Swindon Town in a league match which ended 3-3 (hooked after that classic !). One of my 1st memories of those early matches, was Jack Connor & Dickie Rooks at the back for City !!! My God, how did we not win things with those two brutes in defence ?????
I remember, one Reserve match at Ashton Gate when I was around 10 or 11, it was against West Ham and all the talk at the time was about Bobby Moore might be playing in a comeback match for the Hammers after being out for a while with injury, me & a few mates couldn’t get down there quick enough ! When the match ended, I ran on the pitch, hoping to touch the great ‘Mooro’, only to be knocked flat on my face by Dickie Rooks who I think must have been jogging over to shake the hand of Clyde Best, Best, actually helped me to my feet, while Rooks just carried on not even noticing !! God that hurt !!!
Happy memories.
Mark. XX
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