**March 31 is always a solemn day for Arsenal Football Club, as on that day 2001 we lost one of our own - David Rocastle.**
Rocky was born in Lewisham in 1967 and grew up in Brockley with Ian Wright. The close friends would end up playing together for The Arsenal.
Even at a young age, Rocky’s talent was evident. He made his debut in a goalless draw against Newcastle while still only 18 and scored his first goal against Luton in the FA Cup the following February.
Then came the 1986/87 season. Still a teenager, Rocky scored the winner in a League Cup semi-final against Tottenham and went on to lift the trophy after a 2-1 victory over Liverpool.
Rocky was named in 1987’s PFA Team of the Year and won the Barclays Young Eagle award – honours he received again in 1989 as he thrived alongside the likes of Paul Davis, Michael Thomas, Alan Smith and Tony Adams. He played a key role in our dramatic title-winning season, playing in every league match as we won the league at Anfield… right at the end.
Rocky was a First Division champion again in 1990/91 - a season in which we lost just once in the league. Then, ahead of the 1991/92 campaign, he was reunited with Wrighty.
In all, Rocky played 277 times for us, scoring 34 goals. He went on to represent Leeds, Manchester City, Chelsea, Norwich, Hull and Malaysian side, Sabah, before retiring in 2000.
On March 31, 2001, Rocky tragically passed away after a short battle with cancer. Later that day, supporters of Arsenal and Tottenham stood united in silence at Highbury to honour him before a north London derby.
Rocky’s legacy lives on to this day. In March 2021, to mark the 20th anniversary of his passing, the Rocastle family and Arsenal formed the Rocky 7 project.
The initiative sees Arsenal in the Community work with local youngsters, providing them with one-to-one support and exposure to a wide range of experiences aimed to inspire and aid personal development.