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| Eric Redrobe With Chris Powis In 2008 |
Sad news today that former Hereford United player Eric Redrobe has died.
Below is a article about him written by Chris Powis which originally appeared in BN in March 2008.
Redrobe – The Grin said it all.
Yes,
Big Eric was very pleased to be back in Hereford. "As I walked from
the City centre, down Widemarsh Street towards the ground I felt a buzz.
It was just like the days when we had our pre-match lunch in The
Spread Eagle then walked the same route...the memories came flooding
back".
I met Eric and his charming wife, Margaret, outside the
player's entrance before being joined by our co-sponsors at around 1.45.
Eric had already been busy signing autographs and fending off
questions about whether or not he'd bought his boots with him. The
pre-match buffet gave me time to ask him about his time at Edgar Street.
"They were great times, we had a wonderful bunch of players who just
loved playing the game." I asked him who was the best player during
that period. "No-one, we were a team...everyone played their part. We
all knew our job; mine was to create havoc in the opposing penalty area.
I remember when Colin (Addison) signed me. In my first game, we
played Northampton Town at home. After the game, I was talking to Pete
Isaac and asked him how I'd done. He said they were a bit concerned
because it was over thirty seconds before I clobbered their keeper."
The Bulls won 2-0 and Eric had a hand in both goals. Redrobe had
arrived.
"There were plenty of characters in those days Eric?"
"Oh
yes, Harry Gregory was always up to something. One day he arrived with
lengths of cloth for suits...just £6 each then he produced some leather
coats. You just knew not to ask to many questions. The coats were
very good though!"
We watched the game from seats in The Merton
Stand and asked Eric to make the call for the Man of The Match award.
"I'm impressed with Beckwith and McCombe. They look very solid but as a
fully paid up member of the Centre Forwards Union it has to be Gary
Hooper, he looks a very capable young player."
After the game we
joined the throng in the VP Club where Eric was quickly back into
reminiscing mode as he re-lived his time at Edgar Street. After a
couple of small white wines I offered to drive Eric and Margaret back to
their Hotel. "No, drop us by Marks and Sparks so we can walk through
the City." Quite clearly, they have a warmth and affection for
Hereford.
As we parted, I suggested we do it again in a couple of year's time. "Oh no" said Eric, "we'll do it a lot sooner than that."
Hasta la vista big man.
Meanwhile Talking Bull posted a career history of Eric Redrobe in 2019: