Octopus of Odstock

Posted in the coronavirus victims thread but worth posting here as well: Bob Lazier, former Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year has died. https://racer.com/2020/04/18/former-indy-500-rookie-of-the-year-bob-lazier-dies-at-81/

Former Indianapolis 500 driver Bob Lazier has died of complications from the coronavirus https://racer.com/2020/04/18/former-indy-500-rookie-of-the-year-bob-lazier-dies-at-81/

Recovered and resting at home according to the on line article.

Roger Hunt also seems in fine fettle as well, as far as I'm aware. Extensive interviews from January here https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-roger-hunt-exclusive-interview-17513220.amp

To no real surprise, Cyril Lawrence died yesterday of coronavirus. He even got an obit from the Daily Mail: https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-mail/20200415/282810718405140

Cyril Lawrence died yesterday and got a brief obit from the Daily Mail. https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-mail/20200415/282810718405140

Also posted in oldest living footballers thread: Cyril Lawrence, the 3rd oldest confirmed former league footballer alive has contracted coronavirus - https://www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com/health-news/coronavirus-uk-care-home-deaths-jump-ten-fold-in-a-week/ - sadly, it really doesn't look good:

Cyril Lawrence, the 3rd oldest confirmed footballer alive has contracted - https://www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com/health-news/coronavirus-uk-care-home-deaths-jump-ten-fold-in-a-week/ - sadly, it really doesn't look good:

Charlie Chase died a couple of months ago - https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/1616133/obituary-charlie-chase Described by the club itself as its oldest player. But before we rub off Reg Hipkin (1921) as being deceased - as this comment says in this website - https://www.northstandchat.com/showthread.php?378381-Charlie-Chase-RIP - his great-uncle Jack Vitty is alive so not sure we can take even the club's word for it.

Of the 1925 players, I thought Eryk Kubicki would be long dead but possibly not - http://www.ruchchorzow.com.pl/aktualnosci/7590/niebieskie-ikony-41/ Now it doesn't say he's still alive but at least there's actually some history behind him, rather than being just a random Army bloke who played briefly for York City. Other than that, nothing else to add I'm afraid. 1924 and earlier, I'll give a whirl tomorrow.

1926 guys: Eric Downes died 2017, Dennis Thomas in 2008 and Ray Howells as long ago as 1968 (dying aged just 42) (source Barry Hugman's footballers) Les Onslow passed away just a couple of weeks ago - https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/announcements/deaths/deaths/18365505.Les_Onslow/ He was in good health for his 90th birthday but judging by the obituary might've had dementia in his last years. Joe Lancaster was alive in 2016. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04d0n2d

1927 guys: Jimmy Scott died earlier this year - https://workingtonafc.com/2020/03/10/fifties-star-passes-away/?fbclid=IwAR25kqDt2sz1ZaKTD3n1kwlLwjP_ZoHZtEgyJZTA_crjFaadgtZn8HAZBpg Sid Watson was alive in 2017 - https://www.runwoodhomes.co.uk/shopimages/articles/DAWN 21 web pdf document.pdf - and considering he played nearly 300 games for Mansfield, I think they would've mentioned if he died.

Alan Layton is another in Canada - https://www.barrowafc.net/viewtopic.php?t=17951 - had a stroke some years ago. Can't see anything specific to say he's passed since 2012. John Oglivie was definitely alive and well in 2016 - http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/6467 I would've thought Leicester would've posted something about an ex-player and fan. He seems to be well remembered at Hibs and Leicester so I would say he's alive. Chris Conway looks like he moved to Canada. There's a blog post about him (search for Canadian National Soccer) but it's a protected blog which is frustrating so I can't see if it has any relevant details. https://thecnsl.com/2020/01/14/great-players-chris-conway/ - if anybody has a Wordpress account and can get permission that will be brilliant. Peter Langman died last year - https://www.pasoti.co.uk/talk/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=109490 and https://funeral-notices.co.uk/South+West-Devon-Derriford/death-notices/notice/langman/4770237 Bill Murphy is still alive, living in Australia - http://grecianarchive.exeter.ac.uk/items/show/1293 Edward Cunningham died in 2011 - http://hugmansfootballers.com/club/153/180

Does it give dates of birth or only years? There's a John McBride on there that might be the 1923 one, who died c. 2000, but I can't see much more info than the year. If it does give dates of birth, a lot of these "maybe alive" are Scots. Going through the 1928 names tonight.

Think he has dementia, I read somewhere.

It's worth mentioning that Sir Stirling Moss was doing alright until his fateful cruise trip in 2016. That infection was the beginning of the end for him.

Well, yes, he had dementia for years.

He had been seriously so very ill since 2016. Bit surprised by some people saying it's a shock sudden death. RIP to a genuine legend. A very sad day.

Just gone through the 1929 births to see if I can find anything: George Price was alive in 2017 and living in a care home - https://www.winsfordguardian.co.uk/news/15561666.care-home-residents-make-memory-tree-improve-wellbeing/ Can't see any GRO Indexes for George dying in Crewe since so I will presume he is still alive. Roy Martin was alive and living in Largs, Ayrshire as of 2011, whilst Geoff Hill, ex Carlisle United, moved to Canada in the 1960's. But nothing more on either since then. However, there is one passing - Ted McNeill, ex-Sunderland and Doncaster, died in 1979 - https://www.independent.ie/regionals/argus/lifestyle/sporting-headlines-from-over-the-years-that-made-the-sports-pages-26933220.html

That's what he's more famous for than any of what Spade said. A genuinely sad loss.

Decent player for Reading too. RIP

Varsha now has coronavirus. https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/legendary-racing-broadcaster-varsha-coronavirus/4777266/

Recently found out French actor Philippe Forquet, who also starred in Take Her, She's Mine with Sandra Dee and James Stewart, died in February, aged 80. - http://memoire.lavoixdunord.fr/espace/monsieur-philippe-forquet-de-dorne/615221

John Haselden has died of dementia complications. Haselden was a player for Rotherham, Doncaster and Mansfield but is better remembered by both Huddersfield and Reading for his work as a coach, physio and caretaker manager. The news report focuses on Huddersfield but he spent eight years at Reading during some of our best times at the old Elm Park. https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/john-haselden-tributes-huddersfield-town-18011388

Rustu Recber, Turkey's goalkeeper for their entire 2002 third place run has been hospitalised for coronavirus. Apparently the situation, albeit this might be down to translation, is a 'critical period'. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52084741