Jenkins served as the physiotherapist for the Hammers for decades and regards the 1986 season as the most wonderful time of his period working for the club.
The 1985-86 season saw manager John Lyall lead West Ham United to their highest ever league finish, coming a close third behind Liverpool and Everton. They won 26 of their 42 games and finished with 84 points, two behind Everton and four behind eventual double winners Liverpool. The Hammers team of 1985–86 became known as The Boys of 86.
Speaking to WHU website Jenkins said: “Nowadays, so many more people are involved, whereas we were a small, tight unit, who gelled together,” observes the ever-popular physiotherapist. “The Boys of 86 were like brothers and there’s always been a connection between everyone being friendly, getting along together and playing well as a team.”
“Fate plays its hand in life and that was no different in 1985/86,” nods Rob. “Frank Mcavennie was always in full striking mode and I liked him a lot. A different character to the others, he wasn’t a typical true-to-form footballer and, having come down from Glasgow, must’ve spent half of his time in Stringfellow’s Nightclub!”
“Tony Cottee was the opposite. After training he’d come into the medical room for a pint…of milk! Knowing his Dad, I’d been aware of ‘TC’ since he was a little lad and we looked after him from a young age. Short, stocky and strong, he rarely got injured.”
Cottee starred alongside fellow Academy of Football graduates, George Parris and Alan Dickens, as the Hammers embarked on a record, top-flight unbeaten run of 18 matches that both extended from late-August until Boxing Day and included nine straight victories.
“To become a professional footballer, you need skill and dedication,” contends Jenkins. “You won’t make it on skill alone and many youngsters fell into that trap. But blend skill with dedication and you’ve got a player. It was great seeing local boys like Tony, George and ‘Dicko’ doing well because that’s what West Ham was about.”
Five wins on the spin saw the Hammers go into the final Saturday of 1985/86 with their title hopes still alive but unfortunately it proved advantage Liverpool with the Reds securing victory at Chelsea, while Everton then stole runners-up spot after beating bush-whacked West Ham (1-3), two days later.
“It was an exciting finish and my son, Billy, was there decked out in Claret & Blue,” says Rob. “West Ham United glory usually came in cup competitions so 1985/86 proved a pure one-off.”
Subsequently departing the dug-out in 1990, Jenkins continued treating the local community and ex-players before finally closing his famous Green Street clinic in 2015.
Living in Redbridge with wife Rosalind, he rises early to walk Dolly – the couple’s beloved, ageing mongrel – and buy his daily newspaper.
“Coming third was a great achievement,” concludes Rob reflecting on a season when it was the Hammers who were making headlines. “It’d been an absolute joy to go to work every day…”