Ron Niffty

One of my boyhood hero's. When playing at school I always wanted to be Gerry Sharp. Although in my case I didn't have anywhere near the skill or ability. Such a shock when he retired early. R.I.P Gerry thanks for the memories. One of our few all time greats.

So sad to hear the news, England's greatest goalkeeper, my boyhood hero. Saw him play once for Stoke against Rovers at Eastville, think it was in the league cup 71 or 72. He made one great save to put the ball over the bar. From where I was he seemed be level with the bar. Great player, great bloke, thanks for all the memories Gordon RIP.

Great player, always was and will be a hero of mine. The best goalkeeper we ever had.

Great player, remember the night very well. My first time in the East End, with just my mates, Still have the ticket and the program.

I'm sure Colin will try and sign him for Cardiff. Ready for next season.

The best away game I ever went to. We had a coach booked up from from Bristol central telephone exchange organised by Post office telephones where we all worked. I managed to get a couple of spare tickets for my 2 brothers in law. We all left work and got on to the coach out side, one of my brothers in law who was a docker was late. We all sat there waiting, when I could hear a lot of shouting and swearing, recognising my brothers in laws voice, I went to the front of the coach. He was standing there with about 50 cans of beer, our foreman was telling him that it was dry coach, no alcohol allowed. They only let him on after confiscating the beer, and putting it in the boot of the coach. I never heard the last of it, both from work and my brother in law. But what a match and atmosphere.

Many years ago when I was a teenager I used to go to City home matches and when they were away, I would go to Eastville with some mates of mine who were Rovers fans. The main reason was that at Eastville you could buy a pint at the bar, and drink it on the terraces. There was always plenty of room. Being from St George it was an easy walk. All my family supported St George [they hated Rovers]. My Dad told me that my Grandfather who played for St George in the early 1900's always called the Rovers the crawlers, he didn't know why. When I started work in 1971 I came to my senses and was a one team man, although I did watch St George occasionally.