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Of all the wonderful memories of David Rocastle, one stands out above the others.

The 1987 Littlewoods Cup semi final replay and Rocky's 90th minute winner against Arsenal's bitter North London rivals Tottenham.

It settled an epic semi final which took two legs and a replay to finish. It ensured Rocastle, already a hero among the Arsenal fans, became an instant legend.

It was a night no Arsenal fan there will ever forget. Not only did Rocky beat Arsenal's biggest rivals, but it put them on the way to Wembley where they won the cup and began a new era of success under George Graham.

Rocastle was just 33 when he died 15 years ago today and, at almost every Arsenal game, the fans still sing his name. He will never be forgotten.

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To the ones too young to remember him, they have embraced him just as much as the older fans who loved him as a player and as a man.

You will do well in football to find a player so universally popular, such a nice bloke, down to earth and he enjoyed so much success with Arsenal.

Rocastle was one of a few players who seemed to emerge during a period in the mid-1980s to signal a new era for Arsenal.

Tony Adams, Michael Thomas, Martin Hayes and Niall Quinn to name but a few. There was something special about Rocky. The fans loved his mix of skill, trickery on the wing and wholehearted attitude on the pitch. He looked strong and skilful.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

I remember bunking off school to go and see that reserve team with so many young players and promise coming through.

That's what made Rocky a bit special – he epitomised a young player coming through the ranks, working his way up, living the dream and the fans could relate to him.

Rocastle helped make up an exciting team: Thomas was in there, Alan Smith came in and scored a glut of goals, Ian Wright came later and helped that team win more.

I'll always remember the day I heard that Arsenal were selling Rocastle to Leeds. It was like Graham was breaking every fan's heart. The ultimate betrayal. And to buy Geoff Thomas, too.

Thankfully, Thomas never happened. I say thankfully because the fans wouldn't have taken to him as the man who replaced Rocky.

After all, Rocastle for about five years was just brilliant. Lovely goals – his effort at Old Trafford was out of this world, clever chips, strong running and amazing dribbling.

(Image: Getty)

But that night at White Hart Lane, that semi final, was Rocky's night. Arsenal had trailed right through the semi final. Spurs won the first leg, made it 2-0 early on in the second leg and were so cocky announced they ticket details at half time.

That was Graham's team talk done for him. Arsenal came back, forced a replay and went behind in that until Ian Allinson levelled in the 82nd minute before Rocastle's last gasp winner. It was the stuff of fairytales.

The picture of Rocastle celebrating lives long in the memory. The away end going mad. He will always be remembered as being that young player. He never aged.

Cruelly, his life was cut short because of illness. When Arsenal put together a wonderful montage of clips on the big screen they used Rod Stewart's Forever Young as background music.

That sums it up perfectly.