Tony Rocca
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9,321 votes
Dear Readers
We are sourcing what we can from the Library’s holdings and have added 1940-1941, 1943-1950 in the last 24 hours.
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/id/staffordshire-sentinel
Thank you all for your continued interest in this title, and Happy Reading!
Regards
Team BNA
An error occurred while saving the comment Tony Rocca
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3,844 votes
An error occurred while saving the comment Tony Rocca
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My interest is twofold. First, my Father, Leo Rocca (born in Ancoats) is going to be 93 next month and I would like him to have the book. Second, you say in the blurb for the Star of Shame book that there were untold truths which the British Goverment covered up.
I have no real memories of Ancoats myself having been born in the leafy purlieus of Gatley in WW2. (Grandpa may have had a privy in his back yard; we had an air-raid shelter). But I remember Old Trafford very well. You'll know, I'm sure, that Louis Rocca was MUFC's chief talent scout before the war and was responsible for signing Matt Busby. Go further back, to 1902, and there he is again, present at a board meeting of Newton Heath FC when the club was trying to decide what new name it should adopt. Someone suggested Manchester Central, which was rejected out of hand because it sounded like a railway station. Grandpa came up with Manchester United and the rest is history. Would that his grandson had some shares in the outfit! There was once a "Rocca's Brigade" on the terraces if my Dad's memories and old photographs serve me well. All this and ice cream too.
I can't recall what the celebration was but my parents tell me I was with them, age about 5, at some function at which he was present (probably at the club). They served ice cream for dessert and I announced to everyone: "This ice cream's lumpy!" To which he said: "Quite right, son," and gave me half a crown. Pity it wasn't a share option! Enough nostalgia. You certainly have a wonderful store of stories and photographs in your archives and I am sad to say I have none, which is why I find your site so intriguing.
Just a bit about me. I had a long career in journalism in the UK before leaving in 1982 to live in France. Then, 15 years ago, my wife and I bought a ruined farmhouse in Tuscany and spent seven years restoring it and a further seven running it as an agriturismo and producing wine (Chianti Classico, pretty highly rated). It was the story of my great-grandfather in reverse, a century on : we both set out from our homeland for the unknown, seeking a better life, not speaking the language. Only I reckon I got the better deal. I sold the business a year ago and am now spending my time travelling between Italy and France, enjoying early retirement and trying to write a book.
Again, sincere "complimenti" on your site and thank you for the pleasure it's given me.
Tony Rocca
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3,212 votesTony Rocca
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I went to school fairly close to the Cauldon Canal between Hanley/Milton and do remember the "pottery" barges passing by in the early to mid 70's, one actually tipped over (ware everywhere)....made front page news in "The Sentinel"