Rob HIndmarch
QuoteDEATH OF EX-RAMS SKIPPER ROB
07/11/02 08:12:21
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Double promotion-winning Rams skipper Rob Hindmarch died on Tuesday, in America, aged 41.
Rob had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease this summer and passed away peacefully at home in Philadelphia.
Described by ex-Rams manager Arthur Cox as ‘a man’s man’, the Stannington-born defender was captain of Sunderland while still a teenager and was regarded as one of Cox’s canniest signings when he moved from Roker Park to the Baseball Ground on a free transfer in July 1984.
Appointed skipper in 1985, he led a Rams side featuring John Gregory and Ross MacLaren to promotion from Division Three and the Second Division championship the following year. He joined Wolves for £300,000 in June 1990 after playing 196 games and scoring 10 times for the Rams and was player-manager of Cork City, in Ireland, for a year from 1995.
Rob, who also spent time on loan with this weekend’s visitors Portsmouth, moved to America to set up a soccer school two years ago.
Rob discovered he had Motor Neurone Disease - an incurable degenerative condition - on a visit to England in the summer.
Rams team-mate Bobby Davison, who recently ran the Great North Run to raise money for research into Motor Neurone Disease, paid tribute to a close friend he described as ‘a strong man, with a big heart and a wicked sense of humour’.
“Rob flew over once a year and we’d always get together,” recalls Bobby. “A couple of years ago he took part in the Derby County Golf Day and looked in terrific shape.
“This year he couldn’t make it to the event but we vowed to catch up before he flew back to America. He didn’t contact me and I discovered he had flown home after being told by doctors he was in the advanced stages of the disease.
“We spoke regularly on the phone –I was delighted to be able to talk him a week ago - and he remained strong to the end, dying peacefully in his sleep.
“He was a strong character – mentally and physically - and was always great company. He was mischievous, had a wicked sense of humour and always had something to say on any subject.
“Arthur Cox made some great signings but, without a doubt, Rob was the best. He served the club on and off the pitch with great distinction and, if he’d been a yard quicker, would have certainly represented England. He was in the mould of Terry Butcher, a real presence on the pitch.”
Manager John Gregory remembers Rob as 'a giant of a man who made a major impact on this football club'.
Rob leaves behind two teenage sons.
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