Bob Booker Biography

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Good job he didn't take that penalty against Southampton as lots of comments would have no doubt have mentioned about him being carried off the pitch after completing a hat trick.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned him being on the pitch on 17th Nov 1991 to give his goodbyes.
 

SUFC Handsworth said:
Like many Blades fans I wasn't a fan Bob Booker's until the aforementioned Mansfield away game, that night in dreadful conditions - snow, sleet, rain, freezing temperatures - he was awesome. From then on he never looked back at the Lane. Great character, epitomised everything about the Bassett era at our club at the time.
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In my perma-frosted state at the time (and the years in between) I was sure that it was a surging run from our Bob that won the penalty that was converted for the winner that night - Silent Blade HELP!
 
Foxy said:
With Bob's permission (will drop him a message), I'm more than happy to send you my footage of a recent evening with the man himself in a pub full of Blades, in which many stories and memories were discussed (along with talk of his other clubs)...

Though he may want some keeping out of print :D
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Never mind giving that out to Greville - I think we all want a DVD of that Foxers :o
Can tha sort us one?
 
Great thread & memories, just one observation in that if we'd have had a Booker in any of the last 6 seasons we wouldn't be where we are now, those of you who promote the likes of Paul Coutts would do well to remember the qualities that Booker brought - simple, honest & hardworking.
 
Never earned more than £900 a week - in the top flight!! Didn't use an agent, his contract negotaitions consisting of going in to Dave Bassetts office, being told what he would earn and going to get on with his job, which he clearly loved.

Absolute legend. As previously mentioned, Mansfield away, what a night and my personal favourite, the header that kept us up at QPR. It would have been nip and tuck who we would have chosen to score that goal with Bob maybe even pipping Deano at that time.

Welcome back at BDTBL anytime. You won't find that many more popular former players amongst us Blades, especially those of us who were around when he played for us. Look forward to the book Greville.
 
Bayingblade said:
Never earned more than £900 a week - in the top flight!! Didn't use an agent, his contract negotaitions consisting of going in to Dave Bassetts office, being told what he would earn and going to get on with his job, which he clearly loved.

Absolute legend. As previously mentioned, Mansfield away, what a night and my personal favourite, the header that kept us up at QPR. It would have been nip and tuck who we would have chosen to score that goal with Bob maybe even pipping Deano at that time.

Welcome back at BDTBL anytime. You won't find that many more popular former players amongst us Blades, especially those of us who were around when he played for us. Look forward to the book Greville.
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There's a piece on Bob in the "Blades Biography" that tells this story :-

At the time apparently Derek Dooley handled the contract negotiations with players. Usually players would have agents quibbling over this and that fee to try and get as much money as possible and Dooley was well used to players coming back to his office a few minutes after to check and quibble a bit more, however when Bob went in to renew his contract for the first time, he negotiated it himself with no agent, agreed terms and left Dooley's office. Sure enough, a few minutes later there's a knock at the door and Dooley's thinking "here we go", only Bob comes back in just to thank Dooley and the club for agreeing to give him a new contract and he vows to do his best for the club...... Dooley is gobsmacked.

Absolute legend.
 
Bayingblade said:
It was Kenilworth, your memory is fine:)
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That's my memory too. We were on the side terrace, Blades playing left to right, level with Mansfield's 18 yard box with the snow blowing into our faces. Sir Ooh Aah made a lung buster into the box on the far side and got hacked down, the rest is history.
 
Booker4 said:
I regularly hear our fans saying things like what you've just said mate, about Bob's lack of ability etc. But I think he was better than some remember and I can't personally think of any United player, other than Deane, who was better at heading. He popped up with some really crucial goals too, both to go up and then stay up. QPR away, Southampton at home stand out in the season we stayed up.
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He had heart, miles and miles of it. Amazing what you can achieve when you give a shit and by God did he give one. I'll look forward to the book.
 

WalthamstowBlade said:
Years ago I was going to try and arrange a London Blades Christmas do. Booker was coaching at Brighton at the time so I called them and left a message for him. That afternoon I'm sat in work when my phone rings. Its Bob Booker returning my call. I went berserk. Got some right funny looks.
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Why is that any different to any other afternoon at work for you Walthers - besides not having Ooooh Ahh calling you?
 
Greville Waterman said:
This is just to let everybody know that I am currently writing a biography of Bob Booker. This will cover his life and times at all three clubs with which he was associated as a player, coach or assistant manager, Brentford, Brighton and Sheffield United. Bob is very supportive of this project and is assisting me in every way possible.

The book will be published around this time next year by Bennion Kearny who have already published a couple of my books on Brentford (see https://www.amazon.co.uk/Growing-Pai...ville+waterman if you are interested).

I am initially focusing upon his spell at Brentford but will soon be gathering details and interviewing former team mates and colleagues of his from his time at Sheffield United and I am well aware of just how popular he remains to this day. I have already spoken to Derek French and any other suggestions gratefully received.

I would be very interested and grateful to hear from any Sheffield United fans who would like to share their thoughts and reminiscences on Bob and what he has contributed to your club. I would really like to understand how and why you took him to your hearts and why he has remained so popular to this day.

Please leave your messages here or I can be contacted at [email protected]

Many thanks.

Greville Waterman
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Bob recently did "an evening with" that was filmed. There are some good stories in amongst that if you can get hold of it. Foxy might be able to help.

Overall bob was someone who overcame initial doubts about his ability and role in the team and became an integral part of double promotion and a heroic successful relegation battle against all odds. Whilst doing this he always had all the time he could offer for fans and various club initiatives and was an all round top bloke in the process. I remember him sitting on the top tier at Hillsborough in the 1-3 game and leading a greasy chip butty chant (I was a way away but it spread round that it was him so I hope it was!).
 
Greville you need to contact Mick Rooker at the club , he will have a million stories.

I had a pal who had a terrible accident down the pit - went to see Mick Rooker and him and Sir Bob went to see him twice in hospital. At the same time another pal had a brain tumour so they went to see him at hospital.

My memories: (hope my recollection is correct!)

Goal at QPR to keep us up.
After his second goal in 2 minutes v Southampton, Bob turning to the kop to point at the no.4 on his back (having regained it from the unpopular Vinnie Jones)
Played at Hillsborough a few months after the disaster (Zenith Data Systems). Leppings Lane terrace was shut, most Blades fans in the seats behind. Trailing 2-1, Sir Bob equalised in the last minute and everyone went beserk with Booker climbing the fences on the Leppings Lane end. I remember thinking it didn't look quite right.

(Favourite memory). 5-2 up at Leicester, Booker close to McAllister in the middle of the pitch with 2 mins left, the whole ground singing the "Ooh Aagh" song - Booker spread his arms and looked to the sky as though "there must be a god!!".
 
Bath Blade said:
Just watched all of that. What memories, a brilliant day out.
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My ex wife made that vid. We were flying out to Bali that night from Gatwick so she came along with her camera. Not the best film she made, but it documented a great day out, till as usual, the game started.
 

I've only ever took one selfie in my life............................








............with Bob.







Say no more.













Although TC might get one.
 
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