Blagdon Mike Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 Gerry Sharpe (1946-2019) – an appreciation We are sad to announce the passing of former player (1963-71) Gerry Sharpe on 17th December at the age of 73. He had been settled in the USA for over 30 years. Gerry was a very fast forward with an eye for goal. Under manager Fred Ford, he made his City debut aged 18 against Carlisle at Ashton Gate on 23 October 1964. In the next ten matches he scored six goals, playing up front alongside John Atyeo and Brian Clark. Later, under manager Alan Dicks, he played increasingly at number 11, on the wing to better make use of his pace and he scored many goals by cutting in to shoot. He was coming into his prime and in the sights of many top clubs, when his career was cruelly cut short by injury. That was against Middlesbrough at Ashton Gate on 16 January 1971. Fans at that match remember the sickening crack, heard around the ground as his leg was shattered. Gerry Struggled for two years to get back into the game and played a few reserve matches but suffered a reaction each time. He could bring himself to return to Ashton Gate for many years but eventually did so as City’s Youth Coach. In the turmoil of Bob Houghton’s sacking in 1982, he acted as caretaker-manager for 19 days, during which City lost only one of their six games. Three years later Gerry began a new career in the USA, where he remarried and settled. Our thoughts are with his daughter Julie and his son Robert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanterne Rouge Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 RIP Gerry. Another player that I never saw play but wish I had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slartibartfast Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 Another one of my teenage heroes gone .........RIP Sharpey . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhistleHappy Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 RIP Gerry, an early City favourite of mine during my youth.. Was there in the enclosure on the fateful day vs Boro.. The sound of the crack still haunts me today when I remember it, was sickening then as it is in memory today... One of the saddest days watching City without a doubt... I'm saddened again today to hear of your passing at such a relatively young 73years of age.. Thoughts with your family and friends... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southvillekiddy Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 R.I.P Gerry. Real flair player. Condolences Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbored Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 Sad news. Another old ‘un passed away........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidered abroad Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 His career was cruelly cut short by one of the most appalling fouls I've ever seen. And not even a caution (no yellow or red cards at that time). As a player, he was exquisite. Very good ball control, took goal scoring chances with aplomb and a turn of speed that left defenders wondering where he had gone. My thanks for his contribution to Bristol City and condolences to his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddoh Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 Its funny I always thought I had seen him play but if I did can only have been in a testimonial or whatever. RIP Gerry. Best wishes and condolences to the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REDOXO Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 My old mans favourite player. Thanks for the memories Gerry! CTID! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forbespm Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 I was always proud that he was a Gloucester boy,my dad spoke highly of Gerry Sharpe when he watched him play for city. Rip gerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendip City Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 This is very sad news. Great servant to this club at the toughest time in our history. RIP Gerry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerseybean Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 1 hour ago, slartibartfast said: Another one of my teenage heroes gone .........RIP Sharpey . Me too, RIP Gerry, this thread makes me feel old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchay Red Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 1 hour ago, slartibartfast said: Another one of my teenage heroes gone .........RIP Sharpey . Likewise, sad news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42nite Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 We played Fulham away in a night match, can't remember the score, but it was a very hard fought game. Maybe a cup match and a draw? On the way out talking to a few locals, one of them stated, Your number 11 is a good player. My reply... Yep, that's Gerry Sharpe! RIP Gerry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downendcity Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 Sad news. Gerry was quick and skilful and weren't there rumours that some big clubs were keeping an eye on him? Of course, that became academic when he suffered his horrific injury. Gerry was just a youngster when I first started watching City, so his passing certainly makes me feel old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BS4 on Tour... Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 A superb part of Bristol City’s history - rest easy fella, and thanks ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pillred Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 8 minutes ago, BS4 on Tour... said: A superb part of Bristol City’s history - rest easy fella, and thanks ... Another small part of our lives gone, happening more and more the older I get, doesn't get any easier, feel very sad tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrenadaRed Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 My dad used to live on the same street as him in Whitchurch and was good friends with him during his playing days and after. He always spoke highly of him as a person as well as as a player. They got back in touch a few years ago and met up at Ashton gate and exchanged mails and phone calls. He'll be gutted to hear this in the morning. I met him once and exchanged several mails with him and he seemed a great guy. Sad news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Never to the dark side Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 I think the day his leg was broken,I had to leave early to get to work. I know others said about the crack when his leg was broken. The other memory was his number 11 shirt,in those days it was large and one size had to fill all. Always looked very "baggy" on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinapig Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 What a sad loss. He was a heck of a player and would only have got better but for the awful injury. He may have worn 11 on his shirt but was no old fashioned winger, more a modern, all round forward. As I recall, West Ham were heavily linked with him at the time. He would have had at least as good a career as the one and only Chris Garland but for wretched luck. RIP Gerry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTone Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 8 hours ago, Lanterne Rouge said: RIP Gerry. Another player that I never saw play but wish I had. RIP Gerry, great player Regrettably I remember that Middlesbrough game well. It was in a tackle with Eric McMordie IIRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headhunter Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 16 minutes ago, BigTone said: RIP Gerry, great player Regrettably I remember that Middlesbrough game well. It was in a tackle with Eric McMordie IIRC. Yes it was. In front of Dolman, just in from touchline in line with edge of penalty area. The crack was sickening - like the sound slamming down of one the old wooden seats in the stand at that time. RIP Gerry .... good player Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTone Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 1 hour ago, headhunter said: Yes it was. In front of Dolman, just in from touchline in line with edge of penalty area. The crack was sickening - like the sound slamming down of one the old wooden seats in the stand at that time. RIP Gerry .... good player I was in the Dolman also. As you say the crack was awful. Remember the whole stand just going really quiet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redtucks Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 RIP Gerry. Thanks for the memories of my early days following City. Fewer and fewer of those players left now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City oz Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 11 hours ago, Blagdon Mike said: Gerry Sharpe (1946-2019) – an appreciation We are sad to announce the passing of former player (1963-71) Gerry Sharpe on 17th December at the age of 73. He had been settled in the USA for over 30 years. Gerry was a very fast forward with an eye for goal. Under manager Fred Ford, he made his City debut aged 18 against Carlisle at Ashton Gate on 23 October 1964. In the next ten matches he scored six goals, playing up front alongside John Atyeo and Brian Clark. Later, under manager Alan Dicks, he played increasingly at number 11, on the wing to better make use of his pace and he scored many goals by cutting in to shoot. He was coming into his prime and in the sights of many top clubs, when his career was cruelly cut short by injury. That was against Middlesbrough at Ashton Gate on 16 January 1971. Fans at that match remember the sickening crack, heard around the ground as his leg was shattered. Gerry Struggled for two years to get back into the game and played a few reserve matches but suffered a reaction each time. He could bring himself to return to Ashton Gate for many years but eventually did so as City’s Youth Coach. In the turmoil of Bob Houghton’s sacking in 1982, he acted as caretaker-manager for 19 days, during which City lost only one of their six games. Three years later Gerry began a new career in the USA, where he remarried and settled. Our thoughts are with his daughter Julie and his son Robert. RIP Gerry, great player. I was nine years old and at the gate on the home game against Middlesbrough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slartibartfast Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 9 hours ago, 42nite said: We played Fulham away in a night match, can't remember the score, but it was a very hard fought game. Maybe a cup match and a draw? On the way out talking to a few locals, one of them stated, Your number 11 is a good player. My reply... Yep, that's Gerry Sharpe! RIP Gerry. That would have been the League Cup quarter-final, yes I was there as well, hard fought 0-0 as you say.................pissed down all night, won replay 1-0 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norn Iron Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 I met Gerry at the Tennis Club when he lived in Nailsea. He was a gentleman and was more than willing to talk about his time at the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashton_fan Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 Gerry was in the team when I first started watching City, he was the equivalent of Elliasson in those days. For those who haven't seen him he scores a penalty in this gabe against Charlton: https://goblinrefuge.com/mediagoblin/u/bcfcarchive/m/bristol-city-2-charlton-2-1970/ Note: if this link doesn't work try goblinrefuge.com and search for bristol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
City oz Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 Cant open the attachment. Looks like it was 1970 against Charlton. It’s along time ago and i would of been 8 years old. It brings back many memories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedLionLad Posted December 21, 2019 Report Share Posted December 21, 2019 Sad news indeed. He was a regular when I first started going to watch City. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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