Had a huge bit of nostalgia this morning. The first bit was reading that Bobby Zamora had been released by Brighton. Suffice to say that Bobby 'Z' (and I'm led to believe he much resented that chant) was always one of my favourites and I'm sure there's no need to repeat here his history while at Fulham. So, will simply post what I believe to be the best goal he scored for us (in so many senses) in a game against one of the best teams ever to grace the Cottage. The second bit was getting into a chat with a fellow about the Cup Final, which very quickly changed topic when he told me his Dad had been a Fulham fan and a pal of Bobby Keetch. This Bobby probably does need a wee bit of an introduction - he played 106 games for us in the 1960s and scored 2 goals. Here he is, top left Bobby wasn't perhaps as skillful as some of his team mates from that photo, but he was a stalwart in central defence. Best described as having a "swashbuckling, physical style that often bordered on the filthy" - he was once sent off in reserve game after five minutes for persistent dirty play! That doesn't do him justice though. Bobby always seemed to have his best games against the top players; the likes of Derek Dougan, Peter Osgood, Alex Young and Dennis Law. Quite a character. And not just on the field. Bobby, a connoisseur of fine art and fine wines, was a popular figure down the Kings Road (with the ladies as well as the antique dealers) with his shock of blonde hair and aristocratic bearing. There a fair few anecdotal stories about him but the one I like the best is a football one told by Johnny Haynes: Johnny tells of watching Keetch during a one-to-one training session with Vic Buckingham, our manager at the time. Keetch as mentioned was a robust defender. Buckingham thought he needed more finesse and deciding Fred Astaire should be the inspiration, set about demonstrating tap dancing to the bemused player. At the end of a five-minute routine he said to Keetch: "Learn that routine. It will do wonders for your balance". "F*** off," said Keetch, and shortly after departed Fulham on a free transfer.
A strong ""I was there" when we beat Shaktar Donesk" moments - BZ sent the Cottage rocking (albeit not quite to Juve and Hamburg levels). Good luck BZ!
