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David Rocastle, Arsenal Legend, Died 13 Years Ago Today (VIDEO)

On This Day In 2001: Arsenal Legend David Rocastle Died
The Huffington Post UK
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Thirteen years ago today, former Arsenal footballer David "Rocky" Rocastle died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the tragically young age of 33.

Rocastle played for Leeds United, Manchester City and Chelsea, but is best remembered for his eight-year Arsenal affinity. He was in the line-up on that unforgettable night at Anfield when it was up for grabs for Michael Thomas in 1989, and was also a member of the 1990-91 title-winning team.

Capped 14 times by England, Rocastle never truly recovered from his £2 million sale to then-champions Leeds in 1992 and struggled to excel at Elland Road.

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Rocastle poses with the Littlewoods Cup at Highbury in 1987

In February 2001, he announced he was suffering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He died in the early hours of 31 March, despite hopes of a recovery.

Rocastle is immortalised outside the Emirates Stadium bowl, where his name - along with a select number of assorted Arsenal legends - are depicted in a spirited huddle.

A minute's silence for Rocastle was observed before the 2001 North London derby match with Tottenham Hotspur at Highbury. Spurs' caretaker manager David Pleat had suggested to the referee, Paul Durkin, that he blow his whistle as soon as there was the slightest interruption to the silence. There wasn't a murmur.

David Rocastle
David Rocastle(01 of26)
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15 Apr 1989: David Rocastle of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Barclays League Division One match against Newcastle United played at Highbury, in London. Arsenal won the match 1-0. \ Photo taken by Roger Labrosse \ Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Friendly - Arsenal(02 of26)
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David Rocastle, Arsenal (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays League Division One - Arsenal v Crystal Palace (03 of26)
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David Rocastle, Arsenal (credit:PA)
International Soccer -England B Team -Training in Castellon Spain Arsenal Players(04 of26)
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(L-R) David Seaman, Kevin Campbell, Nigel Winterburn, Paul Merson and David Rocastle (credit:PA)
Rocastle and Nayim.(05 of26)
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Arsenal's David Rocastle and Tottenham's Nayim race for the ball during the first division match at Highbury, London. (credit:PA)
MANCHESTER UNITED V ARSENAL(06 of26)
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LES SEALEY RESTRAINS DAVID ROCASTLE, ANDERS LIMPAR FAR RIGHT WITH POLICE OFFICER ..MANCHESTER UNITED V ARSENAL. AT OLD TRAFFORD (credit:PA)
Soccer - Makita Trophy - Final - Arsenal v Sampdoria (07 of26)
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David Rocastle, Arsenal (credit:PA)
Soccer - Littlewoods Cup - Final - Arsenal v Liverpool - Wembley Stadium(08 of26)
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Arsenal celebrate with the Littlewoods Cup after their 2-1 victory: (back row, l-r) assistant manager Theo Foley, Viv Anderson, John Lukic, David O'Leary, Michael Thomas, David Rocastle, Martin Hayes, Tony Adams, Steve Williams, physio Gary Lewin; (front row, l-r) Charlie Nicholas, Paul Davis, Perry Groves, Kenny Sansom, Niall Quinn (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays League Division One - Arsenal Photocall(09 of26)
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(L-R) Arsenal's Michael Thomas and David Rocastle with the Football League Championship trophy (credit:PA)
Soccer- Barclays League Division One - Trophy - 1989(10 of26)
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Michael Thomas (left) and David Rocastle of Arsenal, grasps the trophy that he helped his team to win in the Barclays League Division One (credit:PA)
Soccer - Makita Trophy - Final - Arsenal v Sampdoria - Highbury Stadium(11 of26)
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David Rocastle, Arsenal (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclay's League Division One - Aston Villa v Arsenal - The Dell(12 of26)
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DAVID ROCASTLE, ARSENAL (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays League Division One - Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Highbury Stadium(13 of26)
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DAVID ROCASTLE. ARSENAL (credit:PA)
Soccer - League Division One - Manchester United v Arsenal(14 of26)
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Referee Keith Hackett (centre) tries to break up a fight between Arsenal and Manchester United players. (l-r) Alan Smith, Nigel WInterburn (on floor) Denis Irwin, Paul Ince, Gary Pallister, Referee Keith Hackett, Mark Hughes, David Rocastle, Anders Limpar, Mark Walters, Tony Adams and Brian McClair. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays League Division One - Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (15 of26)
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David Rocastle, Arsenal (credit:PA)
Soccer - Today League Division One - Chelsea v Arsenal - Stamford Bridge(16 of26)
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Arsenal's David Rocastle (centre) passes Chelsea's defence of Keith Dublin (left) and Keith Jones (right), with support from team mate Michael Thomas. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Arsenal Barclays League Division One Champions Homecoming Parade - London(17 of26)
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Thousands of football fans watch Arsenal midfielder David Rocastle does a victory dance on the balcony of Islington Town Hall during the Gunners homecoming parade. Rocastle holds the traditional League Championship trophy, won by Arsenal with a thrilling 2-0 victory over Liverpool. (credit:PA)
Kevin Campbell, Paul Davis, David Rocastle and Lee Dixon of Arsenal(18 of26)
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4 May 1991: (From left to right) Kevin Campbell, Paul Davis, David Rocastle and Lee Dixon of Arsenal celebrate after securing the Championship by winning the League Division One match against Coventry at Highbury in London. Arsenal won the match 6-1. \Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
David Rocastle(19 of26)
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7 Jun 1989: Portrait of David Rocastle of England before the International Friendly match against Denmark played in Copenhagen, Denmark. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. \ Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
David Rocastle(20 of26)
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Jul 1987: Portrait of David Rocastle of Arsenal posing with the Littlewoods Cup which Arsenal had won the season before during a photo-shoot held at Highbury, in London. \ Mandatory Credit: Russell Cheyne /Allsport (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Tottenham(21 of26)
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31 Mar 2001 : The Arsenal and Spurs teams observe a minutes silence in memory of David Rocastle before the Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur FA Carling Premiereship match at Highbury, London. Mandatory Credit: Craig Prentis/ALLSPORT (credit:Getty Images)
FA Cup Arsenal v Liverpool(22 of26)
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THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE. Arsenal's mascot Ryan Rocastle, son of the late David Rocastle before today's FA Cup Final against Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. (credit:PA)
FA Cup Arsenal v Liverpool (23 of26)
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THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE. Referee Steve Dunn shakes hands with Arsenal mascot Ryan Rocastle, son of the late Arsenal player David Rocastle before FA Cup Final against Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. (credit:PA)
Arsenal v Reading - Premier League(24 of26)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 30: An image of former Arsenal player David Rocastle is seen on the stadium prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Reading at Emirates Stadium on March 30, 2013 in London, England. David Rocastle died on March 31st 2001 aged 33. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers - Emirates Stadium(25 of26)
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Arsenal fans pay tribute to former Arsenal footballer David Rocastle who died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 33 in 2001 (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers - Emirates Stadium(26 of26)
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Arsenal fans pay tribute to former Arsenal footballer David Rocastle who died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 33 in 2001 (credit:PA)
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