OBITUARIES
Freddy RINCON (1966-2022)
Colombia’s generation of footballers that emerged in the1990s to guide the nation to three consecutive World Cups – after a 28-year absence from the competition – are among the most revered in the nation’s history.
Rincon is perhaps second only to Carlos Valderrama as the finest Colombian of that era. The two of them dovetailed beautifully to score one of Colombia’s most significant goals of all time. With time running out on their Italia ’ 90 campaign, Rincon raced on to a Valderrama through ball to slide past West Germany goalkeeper Bodo Illgner, and send his team into the knockouts for the first time ever.
He remained an integral part of the squad for both the1994 and1998 finals, and shares Valderrama’s record of ten World Cup games for Colombia.
Either side of USA ’94, Colombia finished third at consecutive Copa America finals, with Rincon on target in both tournaments as Colombia cemented their status as a rising force in South American football as the nation emerged from the infamous drug wars that had come to define it during the1980s.
In his club career, Rincon won trophies both at home with Santa Fe and America de Cali and in Brazil with Palmeiras before departing for Europe. He joined Napoli on loan in1994, before becoming the first Colombian to join Real Madrid a year later.
He returned to Brazil to join Corinthians in1997 and led them to the first Club World Cup in 2000.
Wolfgang FAHRIAN (1941-2022)
Former West Germany goalkeeper, starting between the sticks at the1962 World Cup despite playing outside the top flight with club TSG Ulm. Later played for Hertha Berlin, 1860 Munich, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Fortuna Cologne.
Joachim STREICH (1951-2022)
An iconic player for East Germany, holding the record for both goals (53) and caps (98), including two strikes at the1974 World Cup – the only pre-unification appearance for the country. A prolific striker, Streich also holds the goal record for FC Magdeburg, the team he fired to three East German cups. After retiring in1985, he then managed the club for five years.
Terry DARRACOTT (1950-2022)
The youngest debutant in Everton’s history when he played his first game in1968 aged17 years and122 days, left-back Darracott went on to feature 179 times for the Toffees, and later worked as a coach under legendary manager Howard Kendall.
Bill SHIPWRIGHT (1932-2022)
Former Watford and Aldershot Town defender who made159 appearances for The Hornets during the1950s.
Freddy HALL (1985-2022)
The ex-Northampton Town, Toronto FC, Telford United and Limerick goalkeeper was tragically killed in a car crash in his native Bermuda aged just 37.
Steve ROWLEY (1958-2022)
Former Arsenal chief scout who is credited with discovering Tony Adams, Ray Parlour, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Gael Clichy, Olivier Giroud and Serge Gnabry.