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Post by mftc on Oct 13, 2024 12:35:01 GMT
Sorry am a Luddite so don't know how to add a link but there is an article in the Guardian about Ian Alexander and his dementia related illness.
It says he played 299 games for the Gas. Wouldn't it be good if he could sign some special contract to come off the bench in an dead rubber end of season game (or the Mickey Mouse game v Exeter!).
Had the pleasure to meet him several times (and have a few drinks). A great player on and off the pitch.
I remember several SC Player of the Year evenings when the players were more drunk than the fans but they were amongst the last to leave, chatting to fans, signing autographs and dancing with the grannies from the "knitting circle"whole travelled to away games on the coaches.
Was probably on just over the national wage when he first played at Twerton but gave everything for the club.
A true legend who surely must get support from the club in the same way we supported Nick.
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Post by peterhooper57 on Oct 13, 2024 12:48:19 GMT
Absolute legend, gave 110% every time he pulled on the quarters. Look forward to see what the new owners propose to do / have to say. Great idea. Loved it when he use to kick Smith up in the stand "Jockeys going to get you"
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Post by footballisfootball on Oct 13, 2024 12:54:30 GMT
Thanks for posting, I found the Guardian story about Ian Alexander and here is a link for others: link
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Post by Tilly's Thighs on Oct 13, 2024 13:02:22 GMT
Thank you for highlighting this, very sad to read about Jocky's health. He will always be a legend to those of us who were around in the 1980's and '90's
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Post by tbonegas on Oct 13, 2024 13:20:50 GMT
Just read the article and it really hits home. Jocky was a hero on the pitch to many of us Gas heads from the Twerton Park days. This is such a sad tale, and his family issues definitely puts life into perspective. This type of illness is a terrible one and is beyond comprehension. Let's all hope that Jocky responds to the treatment that is available and lives a lot longer than the diagnosis.
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Post by 2nd May 1990 on Oct 13, 2024 14:16:01 GMT
Those who weren’t along for the ride at Twerton or for whom it was before their time, won’t understand just what those players mean to the fans that were lucky enough to share that time with them. Jock is up there with my favourite players of all time and it is so sad and shocking to read this. He’s only 61 and the most shocking thing to come out of the interview is how many ex-pros could be in the same boat as him. I wish him all the luck in the world to live well for as long as he can. He’s certainly correct in saying that Rovers fans are right behind him.
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Post by miltongas on Oct 13, 2024 14:17:11 GMT
This is very sad news. It seems to be all too common in older players. Hopefully the FA and clubs can do something to support them all and their families.
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Post by Somersetgas on Oct 13, 2024 14:26:06 GMT
Terrible read this, I wish Jock all the best, a player who played and gave his all every game. It was a privilege to watch him with his commitment and a genuinely nice guy to.
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Post by lympstonegas on Oct 13, 2024 14:52:17 GMT
So sad - horrible disease. Always remember the sad day in an early round of the FA Cup the plate in his mouth nobody knew he wore got dislodged and stuck in his throat after a challenge. A magic bent spoon came to his rescue to dislodge it from his throat and Jocky was beck to terrorising wingers - especially those of Bristol city A top man and proud gashead
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Post by eric on Oct 13, 2024 15:31:11 GMT
So sad - horrible disease. Always remember the sad day in an early round of the FA Cup the plate in his mouth nobody knew he wore got dislodged and stuck in his throat after a challenge. A magic bent spoon came to his rescue to dislodge it from his throat and Jocky was beck to terrorising wingers - especially those of Bristol city A top man and proud gashead Roy Dolling?
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Post by gasheadontour on Oct 13, 2024 15:45:07 GMT
How about getting him registered for the cup match v Exeter?
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Jocky
Oct 13, 2024 15:46:42 GMT
via mobile
Post by gasheadontour on Oct 13, 2024 15:46:42 GMT
So sad - horrible disease. Always remember the sad day in an early round of the FA Cup the plate in his mouth nobody knew he wore got dislodged and stuck in his throat after a challenge. A magic bent spoon came to his rescue to dislodge it from his throat and Jocky was beck to terrorising wingers - especially those of Bristol city A top man and proud gashead I can remember being at that match. Jocky looked like he'd died and the crowd went silent.
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Jocky
Oct 13, 2024 16:05:39 GMT
Post by poorblue on Oct 13, 2024 16:05:39 GMT
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Post by Topper Gas on Oct 13, 2024 16:14:38 GMT
How about getting him registered for the cup match v Exeter? A professional club can't just register players as they choose for games and if poor Jocky's memory is shot the last place he needs to be now is on a football pitch. I'd have thought it make more sense to see if some fund raising could help him get a dementia diagnosis done a lot quicker privately than waiting for the NHS?
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Post by Topper Gas on Oct 13, 2024 16:16:07 GMT
This is very sad news. It seems to be all too common in older players. Hopefully the FA and clubs can do something to support them all and their families. You sense the billionaires behind those organisations are fighting these claims vigorously in order to try and avoid having to pay out millions in compensation?
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clovis
Reserve Team
Posts: 329
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Post by clovis on Oct 13, 2024 16:18:27 GMT
Too sad for words, but what a brave chap. About from his robust tacking, he was a pretty decent passer and crosser of the ball as well. I saw a lot of the games in our promotion year and Jocky was a total star.
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Post by scdave on Oct 13, 2024 17:35:19 GMT
I'll mention this to Helen so see what the SC/ Former Players Association can do.
In the short term, how about a chant of "Jocky's gonna get you" in the second minute of the next home game in recognition of his shirt number, to show the fans support. Just a thought.
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Post by clockendgas on Oct 13, 2024 18:10:17 GMT
Really sad reading,makes me appreciate being nearly 64 and fairly fit. Great memories of jock at Twerton,must hold the rovers record for red cards? Hope the club fully support him and his family.
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Jocky
Oct 13, 2024 19:13:52 GMT
Post by peterhooper57 on Oct 13, 2024 19:13:52 GMT
I'll mention this to Helen so see what the SC/ Former Players Association can do. In the short term, how about a chant of "Jocky's gonna get you" in the second minute of the next home game in recognition of his shirt number, to show the fans support. Just a thought. Great idea.
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Jocky
Oct 13, 2024 19:33:15 GMT
via mobile
Post by tbonegas on Oct 13, 2024 19:33:15 GMT
Really sad reading,makes me appreciate being nearly 64 and fairly fit. Great memories of jock at Twerton,must hold the rovers record for red cards? Hope the club fully support him and his family. I remember being in Ibiza many years ago, and a then Premier League referee from Dorset, was staying in the same hotel. Got chatting with him about my love of Bristol Rovers, and he told me that he'd reffed a local derby match and had cause to send off one of our players. I said was it for kicking Smith and he said, no. He called me a jumped up little something. The story will stay with me for ever. Jocky the legend.
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