Yup, ronnies nickname was affectionally 'rocket' as opposed to '******'. Although, I'm pretty sure he wasn't and didn't and it was boys being boys. But, still, it was funny.
I worked with Ronnie before he retired from teaching and the abiding memory I have of him is playing bridge with three other blokes in a sub-room of the staffroom which was reek with smoke. According to everyone I knew at Kirk Balk the character in Kes WAS based on Ronnie. RIP mate
Sad news to hear about Ronnie, he taught my Dad and me, a really nice man. Everyone I know thought the Kes character was based on Ronnie but I caught him at the back end of his career when he was nothing like the Kes character, my Dad says when he was younger he was more like him, although never a bully just very enthusiastic. As for "Yer a puttin Alex" Nixon always seemed ok but not in the same class as Ronnie. I remember Marshy "yer like a cow chewing cud" and Creeky hanging kids out of the upstairs windows, one more name to add to the list Sidebottom, anyone remember him? RIP MR HALLAM - "Shoulder, Elbows, Wrist."
Whilst Mark Crossley and Nicky Eaden did attend Kirk Balk school their footballing talents and development was mainly due to Hoyland Common Falcons.
RIP Ronnie our thoughts our with your family. I wasn't good a PE, I remember on my school report he put I was 'enthusiastic'. Seemed a good chap.
Sad to hear about Ronnie. Loved doing football and cricket with him in my time at KB 66-72. Memory must be clouded though as I thought he favoured the Fowls at Swillsborough. Don't suppose many are left that taught me at KB. I know Boggy Marsh went in 2004. Blimey, I feel old !!!!
Ronnie's funeral this morning, 11am at the RC church on West St. Then to Kirk Balk cemetary where he'll be able to see those new football pitches.
Barry Hines taught at Kirk Balk at the same time Ronnie was there my mother was the school secretary at the time also. She typed all of Barry Hines manuscripts for sending to the Publisher. I was at Ecclesfield at the time , but used to go to Ronnies football coaching sessions of an evening, he was a fantastic bloke, he used to part time coach at Oakwell too, he once took me with him, had a fantastic day out .RIP Ronnie and thankyou for some very good memories.
"Shoulders, Elbows, Wrist." LOL - I love it when someone remembers something I haven't heard for 30 years.
Ronnie tried mixing it up one summer with soft ball. We'd have been 3rd or 4th years. Soft ball is like baseball, but the ball is twice as big and just as hard. Don't ask me why. I broke a finger catching it. Didn't drop it thank fck. Obviously in pain, Ronnie's going 'always pull it into your chest son, into your chest'. I'll know next time.