My memories of Rob Steel by Robin Ashton (August 2021)
Boxing day 1992! CAFC v The Scummers (Sutton United)
I had known Rob for around fifty years, by far the greater part of my adult life, when he so sadly left us in 2020. He was one of a small group of Carshalton and area based youngsters who were initially acquainted on the terraces of Carshalton Athletic Football Club around the early 1970’s.
Rob was a passionate follower of ‘The Robins’ with, it seemed to me, only a passing interest in the wider football or sporting world. He wasn’t quite as regular a match attending supporter as many of us, mainly because he had such a full and varied life outside the confines of CAFC. His absences never seemed to quell his passion for the Club however and his boisterous and vocal celebrations (or castigations) were in sharp contrast to my usual more reserved approach. Actually I like to think I was a more considered and analytical supporter than him, which is ironic given his far superior intellect! He could never quite understand my football watching reserve and never ceased to tease me about it.
Taken after a game played (at CAFC) on 26/4/2008 v Tonbridge Angels, last match of the 2007/8 season. Left to Right – Garry Evenden; Peter Randell; Rob; James Hopkins.
Rob’s individuality extended to him usually appearing at ‘Robins’ games on a bicycle (which was quite unusual in the early years), invariably clutching both a flask of tea and a dog eared copy of Private Eye and/or The Guardian, not the usual football supporter’s reading choice. Particularly at home games he often only appeared at half-time, ostensibly because he had been busy on one of his many other activities. But we also suspected and reminded him that it was more likely that he just wanted to avoid paying the match entrance fee! It remains a travesty that Rob, alongside many other long serving and passionate ‘Robins’ supporters, were latterly sidelined by the Paul Dipre ownership regime, simply for expressing a contrary opinion.
Rob would of course spend the half time interval supping that home made tea, reading his preferred choice of literature and chewing a food product of uncertain vintage, extracted from the depths of his well worn rucksack. This habit, with him most often adorned in his ancient ‘Robins’ maroon and white scarf (knitted by his mother many years before) made him a distinctive figure on the terraces. He would spend much of his footie watching time pacing up and down chatting to other individuals and groups, so comfortable was he from an early age in his socialising and ability to offer an opinion on pretty much any subject!
Lincoln City v CAFC – pre-match pic taken before the Robins played them in the FA Trophy in Jan 2014.
Left to Right – Peter Randell; Dave Ayling; Garry Evenden; Simon Fuller; James Hopkins; Rob of course (with the famous scarf); Tony Nash.
Although I often felt intellectually on a different (ok…lower) plane than Rob he was always good company and never knowingly superior, was quite happy to chat about almost anything, generous spirited and fascinating to listen or talk to on a wider range of topics than you usually hear at a football game. I acknowledge that although we were near contemporaries in age he helped me with my wider education and appreciation of the world beyond suburban London.
Our friendship developed to extend beyond just the local football scene. By the mid-1970’s Rob had already travelled quite widely, at least in the UK. By then I had started to join him on walking trips, sometimes just the two of us, more often with a larger group. These were tremendously enjoyable; although I always disappointed him with my lack of appreciation of and serious application to real ale drinking!
CAFC followers party circa 1977 at Andy Hill’s house:
Pictured in the first photo left to right – Rob; Carol and Mike Smith; Kevin Rolfe; Andy Hill; John O’Gorman; Joe and Hilary Musgrave.
The first trip I recall was when he was still studying full time, by then to be teacher, at Nottingham University; I guess around 1973/4? At that time he was staying at lodgings in Long Eaton, just over the county border in Derbyshire. His resident landlord & lady were kind enough to put me up in their house for the weekend and I have vivid memories of that trip. Rob’s passion for current affairs extended to him scrutinising the national and local newsprint at every opportunity, even at meal times. I can recall our hosts (quite rightly) ticking him off for being so rude and unsociable in doing so when we were sharing dinner with them on our first night! His bewildered and hurt expression was something to behold.
We spent a couple of full days hiking in the nearby Peak District, reinforcing my favourable first impressions of the area from a school trip a few years earlier. Fast forward some thirty years and Philippa found ourselves living here, partly thanks to Rob’s enthusiasm and knowledge.
Trips away during the decades following that Nottingham trip were often back to the Peak District, where Rob would sometimes book a large property, usually around the New Year, and invite a range of friends from often contrasting aspects of his life. These were invariably memorable occasions with good company, some great outdoor exercise (trying to keep up with his searing pace and instant map reading!) and copious amounts of food and drink in the local hostelries. He would later make some of these even more famous in his acclaimed ‘Pub Walks’ books.
When we moved to the Peak District in 2003 this presented the then still Carshalton based Rob an opportunity to visit one of his favourite areas even more regularly, sometimes using our place as his base for further exploration. He was always happy to ‘work for his keep’ when staying with us and he helped in the early years on some of our garden landscaping projects. His many skills included being a fearless and competent proponent of more or less any sort of DIY. Philippa used to try to keep him out of our kitchen though!
As a (then) lifelong ‘single bloke’ he wasn’t always the tidiest or most fastidious of guests. We have many memories of Rob’s room after he had left us; there was certainly no evidence of even any cursory cleaning, or basic tidying up. It’s no wonder he became famous for leaving belongings behind when he left!
He also had a penchant for turning up at our place with food to share, such as a slab of cheese or fruit and veg. These usually had the appearance of having occupied the bottom of his rucksack for several days and in all weather conditions. Again his bewildered expression when we questioned its suitability to eat was always something to behold. He would happily sample the actual product of course, to demonstrate its wholesomeness and freshness, using his fingers and certainly not any unnecessary cutlery. We could never quite train him on the domestic hygiene front, but are sure Jacqui eventually had some success.
He often talked about having his own base in our area and was eventually able to buy a small cottage in Belper, between Matlock and Derby. When he and Jacqui met they spent quite a lot of time there. Typically kind spirited he let Philippa and me use it at any time he (or they) weren’t, which I took advantage of when I was ‘seconded out’ by my employers, Derbyshire County Council, from my Matlock base, to work for Derby City Council. By staying at Belper a night or two a week I was able to shorten the stress of lots of extra travelling.
We were so chuffed when he met Jacqui relatively late in life and he seemed so content and happy to have done so. Their wedding day particularly was a joyous occasion. We had already joined him for the odd day on one of his other ventures, the ‘Ale Trails’ group walking and pub visit holidays, usually based on his acclaimed books. We first met Jacqui on one of these and latterly spent time with them in Carshalton, Derbyshire and Downton (Wiltshire), where they eventually based themselves. We witnessed the joy that developing a new home and garden in Downton brought them.
I still miss you greatly Rob, almost a year on from your passing as I write this. I am frequently reminded of the good times that we had together as Philippa and I continue to walk the paths and lanes of the area that you loved and shared the delights of with so many.
I am blessed and grateful to have known you and had the privilege of sharing some of your passions. Rest in peace my friend.