Trevor Hockey

[georgebernardshaw]

I think I heard once that it was a heart attack during a charity football match. Could be wrong though.

Correct

 

[Bert]

Did he. I honestly can still visualise it, and the bit where he conducted the crowd behind the goal.
Funny I can't recollect any other Blades fans at the match, I was stood to the top left of their kop, the end where Hockey scored.

I was trying to think why I was actually at the game, never went to many away games, then remembered I was in the RAF stationed at Hereford, My best mate was a Brum City fan

Bert and the rest of the Unitedites were at the opposite end of the ground from where Hockey scored, in a corner.

 

[Bert]

I think I heard once that it was a heart attack during a charity football match. Could be wrong though.

He was playing five a side as Bert recalls.

 

[Razor Blade]

John Harris signed Hockey, John Hope (goalie) and David Ford (ex-Wednesday and represented Sheffield on 'It's a Knockout') in late January, 1971. We were having a very good season and aiming for promotion to the top flight but - typical United - decided to sell our star striker John Tudor to Newcastle where he partnered 'Super Mac'. Tudor played 78 games for us and scored 33 goals. Realising that the club needed a lift, we signed Hockey, Hope and Ford on the same day. Hockey became a legend, Hope divided opinion but I liked him but Ford was pretty useless.

That season ended well with promotion to the top flight assured with home wins in the last two home games. The fabulous 5-1 win over Cardiff on a Tuesday night in front of nearly 43,000 and 3-0 over Watford the following Saturday (almost 39k crowd).

Do you remember the only defeat at the Lane that year. Night match v Hull. Ref had to stop the game. He lined up all the players in front of Bramall lane stand, was giving them a talking to and TC kicked one of theirs in the back of the leg and he went down like a bag of crap. I was in the BL UT...What a season that was. UTB

 

[Silent Blade]

I think I heard once that it was a heart attack during a charity football match. Could be wrong though.

He was playing five a side as Bert recalls.

Yes in a 5 a side match

 

[GrayBlade]

I'd always thought of Trev as a winger and couldn't figure how he'd fit into the team with the players we'd got.

Of course I was totally wrong (again) and Sir John called it spot on. Trevor was the midfield catalyst and touch of granite that made that team the joy it was to behold God bless him.

 

[grafikhaus]

Do you remember the only defeat at the Lane that year. Night match v Hull. Ref had to stop the game. He lined up all the players in front of Bramall lane stand, was giving them a talking to and TC kicked one of theirs in the back of the leg and he went down like a bag of crap. I was in the BL UT...What a season that was. UTB

I remember it well, but didn't realise it was our only home defeat. A night game on March 9th, 1971. Hull had thousands on the kop (crowd was 40,227). They had a dirty bastard player (Ken Knighton) who later managed Wendy. At FT, the crowd were pouring off the back of the kop in pitch darkness (the few ancient lights on the kop had long since been smashed) and all I could hear was the jubilant Hull fans singing ('Waggy, Waggy, Waggy! Oi, Oi, Oi!'). Ken Wagstaffe was one of their scorers as was Knighton. I don't think the ref. got the players together in front of the Bramall Lane stand, I think it was more like in the centre circle. Fat lot of good it did. Hull were out to kick us off the park that night.

Just shows. That night I thought it was the end of the world, but we drew breath and finished the season 2nd and promoted to the top tier. Hull finished sixth. But, of course, the good times were only just beginning. Over to you, Silent...

 

[Silent Blade]

Ken Wagstaffe was one of their scorers as was Knighton....

It was Chris Simpkin who scored the equalizer not Ken Knighton

 

[cahill]

I remember it well, but didn't realise it was our only home defeat. A night game on March 9th, 1971. Hull had thousands on the kop (crowd was 40,227). They had a dirty bastard player (Ken Knighton) who later managed Wendy. At FT, the crowd were pouring off the back of the kop in pitch darkness (the few ancient lights on the kop had long since been smashed) and all I could hear was the jubilant Hull fans singing ('Waggy, Waggy, Waggy! Oi, Oi, Oi!'). Ken Wagstaffe was one of their scorers as was Knighton. I don't think the ref. got the players together in front of the Bramall Lane stand, I think it was more like in the centre circle. Fat lot of good it did. Hull were out to kick us off the park that night.

Just shows. That night I thought it was the end of the world, but we drew breath and finished the season 2nd and promoted to the top tier. Hull finished sixth. But, of course, the good times were only just beginning. Over to you, Silent...

On the edge of their box at the Bramall Lane end where the ref got them together. Simpkin was the main culprit and the crowd let him know it.

Knighton and Butler in their team were Barnsley lads I think. There was Chris Chilton,Wagstaff and Terry Neil in their side

I thought we'd blown it as it it was around Easter and Hull and United were neck and neck.

They collapsed after that night and went into oblivion only emerging many years later after dropping to the 4th division.

I worked at Barnsley Magistrates court mid 1990's and got into conversation with Michael Rosenbourg Stipendary Magistrate and when he realised I was a Blade he brought up that match from a Hull fans perspective. United went onto relative glory for a few years despite our defeat that night whilst Hull just tumbled through the divisions.

Or am I talking bollox as usual ? Silent ?

 

[Bert]

On the edge of their box at the Bramall Lane end where the ref got them together. Simpkin was the main culprit and the crowd let him know it.

Knighton and Butler in their team were Barnsley lads I think. There was Chris Chilton,Wagstaff and Terry Neil in their side

I thought we'd blown it as it it was around Easter and Hull and United were neck and neck.

They collapsed after that night and went into oblivion only emerging many years later after dropping to the 4th division.

I worked at Barnsley Magistrates court mid 1990's and got into conversation with Michael Rosenbourg Stipendary Magistrate and when he realised I was a Blade he brought up that match from a Hull fans perspective. United went onto relative glory for a few years despite our defeat that night whilst Hull just tumbled through the divisions.

Or am I talking bollox as usual ? Silent ?

Bert's memory of that night was the sight from the Kop of thousands packed into the John St terrace.

 

[bornablade]

It was a Triumph vitesse Boss ,he lived round the corner from me on Jowitt avenue ,we targeted him , Badger and Dearden who all lived close on Bob-a-job week but he wouldn't let us touch his car.All those 3 top league stars lived in semi detached houses ,how things change.

My brother delivered his newspaper; one day he plucked up the courage to knock on his door to give him a programme to sign which Trevor took off him and promised to give it back the next day with Bill Dearden and Len Badger's signatures on it as well, a promise which of course he kept.

Back when slave labour was positively encouraged amongst family members, especially during the school holidays, as a starry-eyed six-year-old I didn't need much cajoling by my big brother to help him on his paper-round all around the Knab Farm Estate (particularly remember Wyatt Avenue). I remember the velvet bonnet although I couldn't remember the model of car, but I can confirm that it was indeed a pink piano.

Can either of you remember the house Trevor lived in on Jowitt Road (I think it was 'Road' Sitters and not Avenue)? It was a short road and you entered it by turning right from Bannerdale Road if coming from Ecclesall Road end.
Thanks

 

[JJ Sefton]

I sent a link to this thread to an older Blade who saw Hockey play...

My memories of Trevor Hockey are just what people have already said, -

Great heart; never stopped grafting; gave it everything; never dodged a tackle; great ball-winner; chewed up the opposition in midfield.

“Win the ball and pass it to TC” – he did just that. It would be interesting to hear from TC who could perhaps give the best comment of all.

By the way – why are the people on this web site slagging each other off ? What’s the point ?

 

[blade too long]

Thought it was a velvet triumph.Herald.

alway,s titter when I see dumb and dumber and that hairy car , always reminds me of Hockey.s velvet coated Triumph

 

[Woodwardfan]

In those times I went to most games, home and away.

Trevor Hockey was John Fleck with razzamattaz, in higher leagues and during less 'celebrity times', but different as chalk and chees.

In a way Hockey was present day and Fleck old days ironically. Hockey was 'Showman extraordinaire'

At a time when life is seemingly all about media, let's spare a thought for how Fleck goes about his business. Quiet, efficiient, no fuss, no public image to cultivate, no shrinking violet just look how he interacts with his team-mates.

Hockey was the opposite but it worked. And Fleck has 'worked' big time.

It's all about blends of skills, characters and managers.

Hockey worked with the other showman Currie alongside him, there's no set formula.

Loved Hockey, love Fleck who can go with us right to the Prem in due course.

 

[JJ Sefton]

 

[JJ Sefton]

 

[Bert]

It would be nice to think a tribute to a Blades legend would be coming. Im not holding my breath mind you.

The thing is with Hockey, he only played for us very briefly and he was exactly what was needed at the time but he was a decent player, not a great one. He did a fantastic job but was soon gone.
A key player in 1971 but Bert doesn't see him as a Blades legend.

He did of course die far, far too young.

 

[JJ Sefton]

The thing is with Hockey, he only played for us very briefly and he was exactly what was needed at the time but he was a decent player, not a great one. He did a fantastic job but was soon gone.
A key player in 1971 but Bert doesn't see him as a Blades legend.

He did of course die far, far too young.

Going on what my dad says, he was an integral part of a team that won promotion then kicked the arse out of Division One. For a while anyway. And he was quite a character.

 

[Tunstall Fred]

The tackles between these 2 would have been X rated

 

[Tunstall Fred]

Going on what my dad says, he was an integral part of a team that won promotion then kicked the arse out of Division One. For a while anyway. And he was quite a character.

Your Dad is 100% correct,John Harris signed him at a vital time,gave the team the important impetus to go on and clinch promotion

 

[JJ Sefton]

When I lived in Wales I got the impression that he was fondly remembered by Welsh football fans as well.

 

[Bert]

Going on what my dad says, he was an integral part of a team that won promotion then kicked the arse out of Division One. For a while anyway. And he was quite a character.

They all were integral. It was near enough the same team picked every week in the second half of that season and into the First Division.

 

[Bert]

When I lived in Wales I got the impression that he was fondly remembered by Welsh football fans as well.

No doubt he was even though he was a Yorkshireman.

 

[JJ Sefton]

http://www.keighleykicks.co.uk/2012...aller-25-years-on-a-tribute-to-trevor-hockey/

 

[georgebernardshaw]

A footballing god, and Pele.......

 

[Tunstall Fred]

In my opinion this photograph encapsulates Trevor and what he was all about,just look at the eyes,the steely determination,the rolled up sleeves ready for battle

 

[georgebernardshaw]

In my opinion this photograph encapsulates Trevor and what he was all about,just look at the eyes,the steely determination,the rolled up sleeves ready for battle

...if the werewolf don't get ya, the big fella will

 

[Worksop II]

Hockey was Kante before Kante was

and fuckin harder .......

 

[BushBlade]

They all were integral. It was near enough the same team picked every week in the second half of that season and into the First Division.

Not dissimilar to this season really.

 

[JJ Sefton]

Not dissimilar to this season really.

I think the team that played at the start of the 1970/71 season was unchanged from the first match to the match after the Manchester United defeat in October. When I think back to the promotion season of 1989/90, I can still pretty much name the starting 11 of the majority of that season, I don't remember much chopping and changing.

Over the last few years, however, I've often turned up to matches and seen a couple of names I've never seen before and who I never see again. I'd struggle to name a first 11 for anything after about 2009.

I know folks say its a squad game, but I think shuffling things round for no reason has an adverse effect. I think the success of the relatively settled side this season following the endless maelstrom of bell ends in the last few years shows that.