End of an era

As West Ham United's physiotherapists from 1959-66 and until 1966-90 respectively, father and son Bill and Rob Jenkins treated every one of the Club's 32 FA Cup winners - including the eleven men who lifted the trophy in 1964.

The Jenkins, alongside youth and reserve-team physio Dave Gladstone, were the unsung heroes behind the triumphs and successes of the 1960s, '70s and '80s.

Between them they ensured our Claret and Blue history-makers were fit and ready for those great days in the Club's history.

"West Ham had some very skilled and experienced men looking after the players back then which included Dave Gladstone, Mr Brian Roper, Dr Gordon Brill and Brian Levack. Together we did our best to keep every player at the club free from injury and able to express themselves on the pitch," said Rob, now 75.

Sadly, Rob's clinic, where he held his Sunday morning surgeries after match days, is due to close at the end of the season after nearly 50 years.

"I can't say I am happy to be leaving the clinic but I will continue to treat some of my clients at home in Wanstead" said Rob, who continues to treat West Ham legends Martin Peters MBE and Sir Geoff Hurst.

The clinic will be converted into a flat and the interior, which would still be recognised by Bobby Moore today, will be lost forever.

"These walls have seen a few things" revealed Rob, pointing out the photographic collages that hang on them that sing of past glories. "We initially had a clinic up above Bobby Moore's sports shop but his agent kept putting up the rent so we moved next door into what was a pet shop. Sadly, my father died after the World Cup so he never actually practiced here but I moved in around September 1966. I've been here ever since."

Rob's 25 years of dedicated service to West Ham saw every muscle strain, hamstring pull, laceration and much more fall under his professional care.

"One of the worst injuries I saw was Alan Devonshire's knee ligament damage in a FA Cup game against Wigan Athletic in 1984. They were so badly torn he would probably have been better off with a clean break."

Frank McAvennie's broken leg, suffered at Stoke City in March 1989, was another big incident Rob had to deal with and that was preceded by other infamous leg breaks in the club's history - those suffered by Pat Holland, Frank Lampard and Alan Sealey. Furthermore, who can forget young John Ayris' punctured lung after Ron 'Chopper' Harris of Chelsea took him out of a game?

Rob also tended to Bobby Ferguson's concussion while Bobby Moore was facing a penalty during the epic League Cup semi-final denouement up at Old Trafford in 1972 and recalls a funny tale regarding former striker from the late 1970s, Derek Hales:

"Derek had a knee injury and John Lyall asked me to run a fitness test. We took a ball to the gym but even I did him in a one on one so there was no chance of him playing!"

Rob's father, Bill, also left his mark on some of the players as FA Cup winner, Eddie Bovington, can testify. He still bears a scar from one treatment session with Bill, who was a huge character at the Club during the halcyon days of 1964-66. Rob sets the scene: "The players loved my father but he scared the life out of them.

"He took over from Billy Moore who had played in the 1923 FA Cup final. My Dad was a no nonsense Welshman from the Rhondda Valley and sometimes left the ionisation pads on a little too long which would end up burning a player's leg. Quite a few of the players from that time still bear these scars. I think Trevor Brooking has one but that might have been me. It was something of a family tradition!"

There is an easy comfort in the clinic which has formed part of my own pre match warm up for the past ten years. Ex-players who visit The Boleyn Ground often pop in to see Rob, who was a big part of the social scene during the 1960s and beyond

Indeed, Rob was part of the infamous 'Blackpool Affair' in January 1971 during which Moore, Clyde Best, Brian Dear and Jimmy Greaves were caught drinking in Brian London's 007 club the night before a FA Cup tie which was eventually lost 4-0. Humorously, Dear remarks: "We took Rob along just in case one of us got injured!"

Rob's lasting friendship from his days as Club physio is with Frank Lampard senior, who was Rob's best man at his wedding. They continue to see each other regularly and their sons, Frank Lampard junior and Billy Jenkins, are also close.

Rob's gregarious take on life, pin sharp memory and love of facts and trivia have helped create an infectious family atmosphere at the clinic, which is why patrons such as Joint-Chairman David Gold's late mother Rose regularly visited.

"Rose Gold was a lovely lady who used to run a shop a bit further down the road in Green Street" he reflected. "I treated her for about 20 years and she introduced Thelma Sullivan to the clinic and I treated her as well. They were both lovely ladies and there wasn't really that much wrong with them but they loved to talk about the old times over a cup of tea. Rose used to be a regular at the Supporters' Club as well.

"There is a lovely feel to the clinic and this is due to people like Joan Saddington, who has helped me for many years."

Between 1959 and 1990, only 170 Hammers pulled on the first-team shirt, which is a testament to the reciprocal loyalty shown by both player and manager during the Ron Greenwood and John Lyall era. Every one of those players will have recollections of Rob and his father, Bill, some heartfelt and some comical. Many of them will also have left a four pack of beer for Rob to ensure a speedy and scar-free experience!

Rob concedes that the role of physiotherapist is unrecognisable today compared to his 25 years with the Club.

"The technological advancements supporting a player's physical and mental well-being are light years ahead compared to my time. Nowadays, there is a team of physios, sports scientists, dieticians and masseurs carrying more luggage than a Heathrow conveyor belt. In my day I would have a small holdall and used to help hand out the sandwiches on the team coach!"

While the game is a lot faster, it is also a lot less physical but injuries seem to be far more commonplace today than in Rob's time.

"The game is a lot softer today and hard tackling is a thing of the past. Players like Billy Bonds used to run through brick walls for West Ham United. He played almost 800 games and is one of the most decorated players in the Club's history and yet today's game would not allow his whole-hearted style of play. He would have more red cards than Julian Dicks. I preferred the more combative and less frenetic style of football we played in the 1970s and 1980s."

Rob is brim full of tales about West Ham United and he clearly holds a special regard for Bobby Moore, Frank Lampard, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Billy Bonds, Trevor Brooking, Eddie Bovington, Budgie Byrne, Pop Robson, Alvin Martin, Tony Cottee, Frank McAvennie, Alan Devonshire, John McDowell, Bobby Gould and David Cross.

When the builders move in to erase such a poignant piece of West Ham history, Rob's memories and contribution to the Club will live on for many years to come.

The name 'Jenkins' can proudly take its place in the rich history of West Ham United as the family that ensured the great cup winning teams of the 1960s, '70s and '80s walked out on the Wembley turf in tip-top condition.

Now, that is a legacy of achievement worth preserving.