Off Topic RIP

AP
German and World Cup football legend Franz Beckenbauer has died, aged 78.

The German defender - nicknamed "Der Kaiser" because of his sublime talent - was regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, winning a World Cup with West Germany as both a player and a manager.

He was also famed for carving out his own role as a sweeper - now often known as a "Libero" - sitting slightly behind his team's defensive line and sweeping up any man or ball that broke through.

RIP Franz, Great player

 

Wales and British and Irish Lions rugby legend JPR Williams has died at the age of 74.

The former London Welsh, Bridgend and Barbarians full-back was synonymous with Wales and the Lions' glories of the 1970s.

Williams captained Wales and Bridgend, winning 55 caps for his country.

During historic triumphant Lions tours to New Zealand in 1971 and 1974 in South Africa, Williams accumulated eight Test caps.

A statement from the Williams family said: "JPR died peacefully today at the University Hospital of Wales surrounded by his loving wife and four children, after a short illness, bravely battling bacterial meningitis

RIP JPR, Great player

 

Mel Blyth has died. Ex Norwich boy, won cup winners medal with Southampton. RIP.

 

Ian Lavender who played Private Pike in Dad's Army has died aged 77.

Now that is a little bit of my childhood gone! Last member of the cast has died. As I am not as old as some on here I used to watch the repeats on TV with my parents (and grandparents on occasions). We also had audio tapes in the car, one time on holiday at my cousin's house in Epsom, Surrey we were stuck in traffic on the M25 (nothing changes there) and we were listening to this audio episode killing ourselves laughing whilst others seemed to be getting rather irate in the traffic

 

R

RIP, you stupid boy

 

Barry John, the legendary former Cardiff, Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half, has died aged 79.

After making his debut in 1966, John played in 25 internationals for Wales and five Tests for the Lions.

A family statement read: "Barry John died peacefully today at the University Hospital of Wales surrounded by his loving wife and four children.

RIP, a truly GOAT.
A really fantastic player

 

DJ Steve Wright, who presented programmes for BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than four decades, has died at the age of 69.

His family confirmed his death "with deep sorrow and profound regret" in a statement on Tuesday.

Wright joined the BBC in the 1970s and went on to host the afternoon shows on Radio 1 and Radio 2.

He also fronted television programmes for the BBC, including Top of the Pops.

Great DJ and presenter RIP Stevei

 

Derek Underwood, one of England and Kent's greatest ever bowlers, has died at the age of 78.

Slow left-armer Underwood took 297 wickets in 86 Tests between 1966 and 1982, the most by any England spinner.

He claimed 2,465 wickets in 676 first-class matches overall, representing only Kent, the county of his birth, in a stellar 24-year domestic career.

Underwood was appointed an MBE in 1981 and was president of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 2009.

He also took 32 wickets in 26 one-day internationals and would have represented England more but for joining World Series Cricket in 1977 and the rebel tour of South Africa in 1981-82.

Nicknamed 'Deadly', Underwood was one of 55 inaugural members inducted into the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame when it launched in 2009.

A true GOAT. RIP Deadly

 

Former Norwich City striker Viv Busby has died aged 74.

Busby played for Norwich between 1976 and 1977 where he scored 11 goals in his opening 18 matches at Carrow Road. That run of goalscoring form included a fine hat-trick over Leicester City in a 3-2 win in the First Division under John Bond.

RIP Viv

 

British Olympic swimming champion David Wilkie has died at the age of 70.

The Scot won 200m breaststroke gold in Montreal in 1976, as well as two Olympic silver medals and three world titles.

His family released a statement saying: "It is with great sadness that the family of David Wilkie MBE announce that he died peacefully surrounded by his family this morning, following his brave battle with cancer."

Born in Sri Lanka to Scottish parents, Wilkie won his first major medal with a bronze at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

RIP David

 

Rugby league legend Rob Burrow has died at the age of 41, Leeds Rhinos have announced.

Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019, just two years after retiring from a stellar 17-season rugby league career.

He won eight Super League titles, two Challenge Cup trophies and three World Club Challenges in an illustrious playing spell with Leeds, while he also represented England and Great Britain internationally.

After being diagnosed with the illness, he dedicated himself to raising awareness and funds for the MND community with the support of close friend and former Leeds team-mate Kevin Sinfield.

RIP Rob, Our thoughts are with your family

 

A true RL great. RIP Rob.

 

There is an excellent response to the death of Rob Burrow on the Pink'in site. I hate to say anything good about there but this is excellent.

 

Norwich City legend Terry Allcock has died at the age of 88.

The Leeds-born former Canaries inside-forward was renowned for his goalscoring talent in his 11 seasons at Carrow Road, following five years with Bolton Wanderers - including two goals on his debut against Manchester City past the great Bert Trautmann.

He scored the most goals in all competitions in a calendar season for Norwich - 37 - and was the winner when the club first awarded a player of the season trophy in 1966-67.

Allcock ended up with a Canaries career haul of 127 goals in 389 games, of which 106 were in the league in 339 appearances, putting him second in the club's all time goal-scoring list - just behind their all time top scorer Johnny Gavin.

He would almost certainly have gone on to break the record. But, for the last five years of his career, he played in a deeper role, at half-back.

RIP Terry

 

Saw him a few times as a young airman, but so long ago I have very limited recollection of events. RIP club legend.

 

Kevin Campbell, Arsenal, Everton and Forest striker at 54. Was in hospital 'seriously illl' for the last two weeks. RIP Kevin.

 

Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic passes away suddenly aged 26
RIP