Rocky RIP

Juan Tanamera · Post by **Juan Tanamera** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:03 am

I've passed him many times on Brunshaw Road when he was selling the Golden Gamble tickets.
Although I never knew him personally, I often spoke to him in passing....
Me: "How's it going Rocky?"
Rocky: "Awreet pal, are ya buying a ticket?"
Me: "Not today pal."
Rocky: "Ah ya f*****g tight b*****d."

RIP Rocky, they threw the mould away when they made you pal.

Walkerpool · Post by **Walkerpool** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:03 am

I'd love the club to name something after him he deserves it
RIP

bfcfan1882 · Post by **bfcfan1882** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:06 am

Rocky vs Selwyn at Wycombe in 1997 will never leave my memory.

RIP Rocky.

ŽižkovClaret · Post by **ŽižkovClaret** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:06 am

“I mean, they say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.”

He'll be about for a while yet, the mad bugger

Juan Tanamera · Post by **Juan Tanamera** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:07 am

Walkerpool wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:03 am
I'd love the club to name something after him he deserves it
RIP

That's a good idea Walkerpool.
Even if it's only something like 'Rocky's Golden Gamble' ticket.

woody · Post by **woody** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:07 am

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 30, 2022 10:14 am
Loud mouthed, abusive, but heart of gold.

I think that Tony has nailed it on the head. Rocky will be missed by many. I spent about half an hour in Athens trying to pour water down him as he couldn't stand up. RIP Rocky.

ClaretInLeeds · Post by **ClaretInLeeds** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:09 am

Rocky was an absolute top bloke, a very good friend of the family and had a heart of gold. He will be sadly missed.

mikeS · Post by **mikeS** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:10 am

Sad news. A true burnley fan Rocky.
Here he is at the reopening of the Royal Dyche.
God bless.
https://youtu.be/PYa5XO9btro

Walkerpool · Post by **Walkerpool** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:17 am

Juan Tanamera wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:07 am
That's a good idea Walkerpool.
Even if it's only something like 'Rocky's Golden Gamble' ticket.

Maybe play the Rocky theme tune everytime we score a goal.

Oldparkwood · Post by **Oldparkwood** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:18 am

Absolute legend. Match days just won’t be the same. Sleep well. UTC

MiltonKeynesClaret93 · Post by **MiltonKeynesClaret93** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:19 am

You know, I seemed to bump into him somehow at every single Burnley game I went to, home and away.
One of those characters that just makes a football club what it is really. RIP Rocky.

ŽižkovClaret · Post by **ŽižkovClaret** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:19 am

So glad he didnt go without getting back onto the turf

Andingle · Post by **Andingle** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:19 am

https://youtu.be/b79Yx1f2PUM

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:22 am

Son: Who's that?!
Dad: That's Rocky

A conversation had countless times over the decades.

Walkerpool · Post by **Walkerpool** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:23 am

Andingle wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:19 am
https://youtu.be/b79Yx1f2PUM

That's how I remembered Rocky lol

Woonderbah · Post by **Woonderbah** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:24 am

RIP Rocky..
Wasn't he a body builder in his youth sporting a fantastic physique ?

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:29 am

Woonderbah wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:24 am
RIP Rocky..
Wasn't he a body builder in his youth sporting a fantastic physique ?

Yes, a body builder and he had hands like shovels.

lakedistrictclaret · Post by **lakedistrictclaret** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:30 am

The only real conversation I had with Rocky was when I won a meal for two at the Rose and Bowl on the goalden gamble. I went to the office after the match and Rocky was in there......he'd won a club shop voucher. My prize wasn't much use to me, living up here, so we swapped!

NottsClaret · Post by **NottsClaret** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:30 am

Used to laugh at that goal kick scream in the 90s, legendary. Amazing how pretty much every Claret knew who he was.

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:32 am

As dedicated as they come, I remember at every home game 15 years ago or so he'd be screaming ''Golden gamble, golden gamble''

flogging some club lottery tickets?

Proper character, RIP.

GodIsADeeJay81 · Post by **GodIsADeeJay81** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:32 am

https://youtu.be/SQIKktogb3o

Obligatory YouTube video.

RIP, will be odd not seeing him outside TM anymore.

Clevedon Claret · Post by **Clevedon Claret** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:33 am

R.I.P. Rocky.

Zlatan · Post by **Zlatan** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:34 am

RIP Rocky, you will be missed by me and the kids

Murger · Post by **Murger** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:36 am

My first experience of Rocky was an away game at Barnsley. RIP.

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:37 am

In the mid 90s I used to go to most away games with my dad (bigdave48) and brother. Rocky was always there and was always a character. He knew how to have a good time. I’ve nothing bad to say about him, he was brilliant

RIP

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:39 am

I’m sure CT must have some funny stories about him over the years. Surely deserves an article

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:41 am

bfcjg wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 30, 2022 10:49 am
RIP, spend to him a few times and behind the bravado and bluster there was an intelligent caring man.RIP.

Definitely intelligent. I think he had quite a senior role at a utilities company during his working years

fidelcastro · Post by **fidelcastro** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:43 am

I remember inadvertently knocking his glasses off his face when we scored a goal at Carlisle during the fourth division championship season. He was absolutely fine about it!

RIP Rocky.

GaryClaret · Post by **GaryClaret** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:46 am

Ah this is so sad. I saw him at the end of the Villa away game recently and he did seem frailer.

I think he was in the Jimmy Mac Lower in the 2000s when I was sat in there so I could hear him every match. And of course at every away game. He could make you laugh during the games that didn't really have anything about them......making THAT noise. My wife will always remember when we were sat in front of him for an away game - she was quite fed up

I've been thinking about that time anyway because we're back in the championship and it's just so sad that he won't be there.

jdrobbo · Post by **jdrobbo** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:51 am

The face of the fans. Sad news. Rest in Peace Rocky

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:07 pm

Really sad news

RIP Rocky

BurnleyFC · Post by **BurnleyFC** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:07 pm

Really sad news.

RIP and you’ll always be a claret, Rocky.

TopCat · Post by **TopCat** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:09 pm

Never forget him being thrown out at Northampton.

GodIsADeeJay81 · Post by **GodIsADeeJay81** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:09 pm

jedi_master wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:03 am
As a young kid on the Beehole End, I was I remember just staring at Rocky everytime as he made his shout/cry that sounded like a vulture about to pounce on its prey. I asked my Dad many times “Why does that man always make that noise?”, “because he’s Rocky”. I just accepted that logic!

He is synonymous with my earliest memories of going to Turf Moor, and even though I never actually met him (in terms of having a conversation), he was just part of the furniture. Very sad news, RIP to him.

I used a similar justification when my two lads first saw him outside TM selling golden raffle tickets and he was making that screeching noise....

It's just Rocky, it's what he does.

My eldest lad has seen the news on twitter and he's messaged me about it and has been recalling the times he saw To cky at TM or away games.

Andreshotboots · Post by **Andreshotboots** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:14 pm

One of our clubs true characters, and in this day and age there are sadly not many left.. RIP Rocky...cheers us on from the best view in the house..

ŽižkovClaret · Post by **ŽižkovClaret** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:18 pm

Should play his war cry over the tannoy on the 79th minute all season

MrVmax · Post by **MrVmax** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:20 pm

Just seen this. Like most Burnley fans I came across Rocky many times since I first met him in the 80’s. As others have said VERY loud , very entertaining, who took no prisoners at times, but had an absolute heart of gold

. One of the clubs characters who will definitely leave a big hole behind on match day RIP Rocky

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:24 pm

TopCat wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:09 pm
Never forget him being thrown out at Northampton.

I was sat a couple of rows behind him that day

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:31 pm

A piece of BFC culture has gone with his passing.
After seeing (mostly hearing) him home & away for years, finally shared a beer with him in Buxton before the friendly.
I liked him.
Huge Character and Clarets legend.
Whaterver Cloud he picks 'Up & Beyond', pretty sure we'll still hear his slant on things.

R.I.P Rocky

ICL · Post by **ICL** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:33 pm

CombatClaret wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:22 am
Son: Who's that?!
Dad: That's Rocky

A conversation had countless times over the decades.

^ This
RIP Rocky

bf2k · Post by **bf2k** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:35 pm

Sad news. RIP Rocky. Puck em.

claret2018 · Post by **claret2018** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:35 pm

RIP. Always friendly when you saw him round the grounds, and you always knew when you were sat within 500 seats of him.

Stevebfc40 · Post by **Stevebfc40** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:36 pm

Very sad news. Rest in peace Rocky be weird not hearing your "battle-cry" this coming season.

MACCA · Post by **MACCA** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:36 pm

I used to live near Rocky, so I was lucky enough to have spent time with him away from football, and he had a heart of gold.

A proper claret, who everyone knew, or at least had heard of!

RIP Rocky, you'll always be a claret

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:40 pm

I was next to him on the way out of Vicarage Road after the exciting last 10 minutes win. I said something apt for the occasion, "great win, we are staying up" or something like that. He didn't respond, no reason why he should, he didn't know me, we were just two Burnley fans at the end of a game. He appeared to have aged since last time I'd seen him at a game.

RIP, Rocky.

Yorkshirelad · Post by **Yorkshirelad** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:43 pm

RIP Rocky
A true claret
The last time I saw him was at Norwich away and like earlier post he looked very frail

gandhisflipflop · Post by **gandhisflipflop** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:49 pm

Really saddened by this news today. It’s come as a shock. I can only repeat the sentiments of this thread, a brilliant bloke who brightened away days up. I have lots of happy memories of him. Rest in peace Rocky.

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:50 pm

Nothing like hearing Rocky on a dark winters night in a virtually empty stadium. Thanks for the many smiles Rocky. RIP as others have said not just a fan but to a part of the Clarets experience. God bless

Sarum · Post by **Sarum** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:50 pm

This is really sad news.

At the recent Watford away fixture Rocky wandered into the busy pub on his own. He recognised us (Mr and Mrs Tonbridge Claret and myself) but hadn't met Mrs Sarum before. We invited him to join us, and there he sat chatting away, but it was a quieter and more reflective Rocky than we'd met before. We asked him about all sorts: his late wife, his horses - that I think he said he no longer had - and I have to admit that I was unable to catch everything he said, but I knew it was interesting just the same.

When we were ready to leave the pub we told Rocky we were off to get some ice creams; he really wanted to join us, so along he came. But he soon seemed tired and took Mrs Sarum's hand for a bit of support. Rocky being Rocky happily demolished his cornet and came with us to the ground.

On our way in though he seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the noise etc, people calling out his name. Once we were under the stand he disappeared from view and we never saw him again.

Somehow today's news has not come as a surprise to me, and though we hardly knew each other, we won't forget that hour with him.

Milltown1882 · Post by **Milltown1882** » Thu Jun 30, 2022 1:02 pm

RIP Rocky. Can only echo the sentiment that other posters have mentioned. Absolute gent who would give everyone his time.