RIP Rodney Fern

Before my time, but never like to hear of the loss of one our beloved former players. RIP.

Been out all morning and just seen this. Really sad news.
He was a much better player than he ever really got credit for (not at Filbert St obviously).

Remember he was at Ashby Grammar with Dave Nish.
Was playing cricket against Ashby once while at school and looking through their scorebook – a few years earlier, there they both were, Nish and Fern.

There was a story that his Headmaster told Rodney he'd never make a professional footballer. Rodney (I suspect) took some pleasure in reminded him of this before the '69 cup final.

Remember him scoring with a spectacular overhead kick at the kop end, can't remember who against now – but downsouf will.

Not been a good start to the year: Cyril Regis, Dolores O'Riordan, Dan Gurney, Peter Parker and now Rodney – and we're only three weeks into 2018.

R I P Rodney

Sorry downsouf should have read your post properly, of course it was Birmingham!

comment by Vulpes (U6011)
posted 20 hours, 21 minutes ago
Been out all morning and just seen this. Really sad news.
He was a much better player than he ever really got credit for (not at Filbert St obviously).

Remember he was at Ashby Grammar with Dave Nish.
Was playing cricket against Ashby once while at school and looking through their scorebook – a few years earlier, there they both were, Nish and Fern.

There was a story that his Headmaster told Rodney he'd never make a professional footballer. Rodney (I suspect) took some pleasure in reminded him of this before the '69 cup final.

Remember him scoring with a spectacular overhead kick at the kop end, can't remember who against now – but downsouf will.

Not been a good start to the year: Cyril Regis, Dolores O'Riordan, Dan Gurney, Peter Parker and now Rodney – and we're only three weeks into 2018.

R I P Rodney


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Vulpes, that goal would be 9th Aug 1969, the first match of the season against B'ham City- funny how that goal, of all the ones he scored, sticks in the memory. Oddly enough I remember the match well because it was a really hot day.

KPF
I'd half remembered it was Birmingham and early season, then re-read downsouf's post and saw it was, but thanks for the full details.

It was a great goal and I'm glad it stuck in my memory, because not much else does these days, including the name of the former Guardian editor, which was of course Peter Preston, not Parker!

I was trying to figure out why this news upset me so much yesterday, and came to the conclusion that partly, it was Rodney seeming more like a bloke you'd meet down the pub rather than a superstar athlete. I think fans could maybe identify with him more easily than most top level players.
Hard to believe it was all half a century ago.

http://carousel.royalwebhosting.net/itv/StarSoccer.html

Chaps

I thought this match (City-Birmingham) was televised. A long scroll down to the 1969-70 listings shows it was covered.

I bow, however, to your better knowledge on history long past.

...also, it was the day after the Beatles ventured over the Abbey Road zebra crossing for the timeless still that featured on the album cover.

Sad news indeed - I can remember him in his "pomp". Never saw him give less than 100%.

At least he got to see City win the Premier League.

Sadly missed.

I rememberwatching Rodneys overhead kick on
Star Siccer.l Now there was a programme to watch
wirth Huw Johns commentating

UTF

Funeral service will be held in Appleby Magna on 1st February.