Sorry to learn of the death of Bobby. I remember watching him in the late fifties as a youngster. My memories are of a tenacious full back of the `Robbo` variety. On a personal note I thought he had a fantastic `sharp edged` haircut in the Elvis style (although red) which appeared really cool. Thanks Bobby - you joined Watford in the basement, and left them in the Premiership.
Never saw him play but he was an important part of the Cliff Holton/Burgess team i think and his name was familiar from the programmes i collected before i saw my first game. Can't have been that old can he? RIP
I would guess early seventies and you are right about the era: In the season of 1959-60, when Watford gained promotion from Division Four (after only two seasons since the Division Three South league had been scrapped), Cliff Holton scored 42 goals and Dennis Uphill 30 goals (as well as 6 apiece in Cup games). Cliff Holton's 48 goals still remains a club record. Arguably the most consistent team Watford has ever put on the field, week after week was: Jimmy Linton Bobby Bell Vince McNeice Ken Nicholas George Catleugh Sammy Chung Cliff Holton Barry Hartle Mickey Benning Dennis Uphill Freddie Bunce `Dinger` was a steady tough defender, and fitted in well to this team, which was full of talent - I remember that Holton/Uphill received all the plaudits for obvious reasons, but unsung heroes like Benning who could hit a ball harder than anyone, Chung who was a creative player, and the flying Freddie Bunce made them an all action and exciting team to watch.
Bobby was a great guy - a gentle giant. Originally from Scotland (not his fault), Bobby stayed in Watford and re-married a friend of mine (Caroline). He paid the price for his 7 years playing with The Blues (as they were when he joined) as he ended up having both his knee caps replaced in his sixties. He must have been in his early to mid 70s. I've got a couple of videos of him playing - scoring an own-goal in one! He was a great player who only lost his place because Ken Furphy wanted to play himself at right back. It's a shame Ron Taylor isn't around at the moment, because he was at the club at teh same time as Bobby. RIP - when you talk about true Watford legends you can count Bobby as one of them.
