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U's legend Cass dies
Nigel Cassidy, Oxford United's swashbuckling striker of the early 1970s, has died at the age of 62.
The former fans' favourite at the Manor Ground, who scored 33 goals in 113 League starts between 1970 and 1974, had been ill for some time.
A former striking partner of Kevin Keegan at Scunthorpe, Cassidy joined Oxford United for a club record £20,000 and formed a formidable partnership up front with Hugh Curran. He moved to Cambridge four years later for £28,000 and later went to the States, where he played for Denver.
After his footballing career, he went into the pub business at Launton, near Bicester, and was a tenant at the Black Bull for five years.
With a love of the West Country, he moved to Cornwall and turned the Molesworth Arms Hotel in Wadebridge into a thriving business before selling it a year ago.
Sons Darren and Stuart became good sportsmen, playing rugby for Bicester, where they reached the Provincial Insurance Cup final at Twickenham two years in succession, and for Oxfordshire.
Curran was devastated at the news of Cassidy's death. "I first met him when we were both at Norwich. Nigel had been rattling in the goals for Lowestoft and we hit it off quickly at Carrow Road," he told the Oxford United website. "He was a great character and when I came to Oxford later in my career, I was delighted to find him already here.
"He was a terrific player who I really enjoyed playing alongside, and great fun to be around off the pitch. It's terribly sad news."
United chairman Nick Merry said: "Nigel was one of my first heroes. He had such charisma and really bonded with the Oxford fans.
"I was a young lad on the terraces and he was one of the great idols of the time. I was very fortunate to play for him when he managed Banbury and to get to know him, and he was a great man.
"It's very sad news, and our thoughts are with his family."
9:18pm Tuesday 20th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Colin Harrington, Leeds on 12:31pm Wed 21 May 08
Cass was a real character - a great loss to all who were priviledged to see him in yellow
Cass was a real character - a great loss to all who were priviledged to see him in yellow
Posted by: Richard A Freeman, Northern Cyprus on 12:57pm Wed 21 May 08
Nigel was a name I remember clearly from my days of playing with him at Lowestoft and going through The Grammar School, abeit a couple of years ahead.He willbe missed
Nigel was a name I remember clearly from my days of playing with him at Lowestoft and going through The Grammar School, abeit a couple of years ahead.He willbe missed
Posted by: Dave on 1:35pm Wed 21 May 08
Sad news
RIP
Posted by: FLAPPER KEYS, worthing on 3:19pm Wed 21 May 08
nigel was my 1st football trainer at launton school, a sad loss, regards to shelley, darren,shaun,stuart and dean
nigel was my 1st football trainer at launton school, a sad loss, regards to shelley, darren,shaun,stuart and dean
Posted by: London Rd female, Oxferrrred on 8:00pm Wed 21 May 08
Such sad news.
I loved his mexican moustache.
Where are the characters OU used to have
Such sad news.
I loved his mexican moustache.
Where are the characters OU used to have
Posted by: karen mcgrogan, Bicester on 9:02pm Wed 21 May 08
I'm so saddened by the news of Nigel's death, a great man with so much charisma. My thoughts are with Shelley and the boys.
I'm so saddened by the news of Nigel's death, a great man with so much charisma. My thoughts are with Shelley and the boys.
Posted by: Paul Amos on 1:01am Thu 22 May 08
"E for B and Cassidy"
RIP SuperCass
"E for B and Cassidy"
RIP SuperCass
Posted by: Ray Padmore, Perth Western Australia on 11:56am Thu 22 May 08
GREAT MEMORIES, FOR MANY OF US FOOTBALL GUY'S
"LOVED THE GAME WE PLAYED TOGETHER IN MANY YEARS AGO"
FANTASTIC TO BE AROUND IN OUR ARDLEY & BICESTER DAY'S ALWAYS LOOKED AFTER THE BOYS AT THE MOLESWORTH ARMS...THANKS FOR RAYS HOOK...
ALL MY THOUGHTS GO TO YOU SHELLY & FAMILY
GREAT MEMORIES, FOR MANY OF US FOOTBALL GUY'S
"LOVED THE GAME WE PLAYED TOGETHER IN MANY YEARS AGO"
FANTASTIC TO BE AROUND IN OUR ARDLEY & BICESTER DAY'S ALWAYS LOOKED AFTER THE BOYS AT THE MOLESWORTH ARMS...THANKS FOR RAYS HOOK...
ALL MY THOUGHTS GO TO YOU SHELLY & FAMILY
Posted by: Andy Molden, Oxford on 2:05pm Thu 22 May 08
Does not seem over thirty years ago that as a lad I went up the hill to watch Nigel Cassidy. A real footballer, the hair style, he summed up the 70's. A sad loss.
Does not seem over thirty years ago that as a lad I went up the hill to watch Nigel Cassidy. A real footballer, the hair style, he summed up the 70's. A sad loss.
Posted by: Stephen Barr, U.S.A. on 7:54pm Thu 22 May 08
What a shock to hear that Nigel Cassidy has passed away.
I remember watching him play at Scunthorpe United with Keegan back in the late 60s. Scunthorpe fans worshipped Nigel, particularly his goal scoring ability, which was no mean feat as he was playing along side Kevin Keegan at the time. Swashbuckling sums him up with his black hair and goucho tash!
What sad news.
Steve Barr
What a shock to hear that Nigel Cassidy has passed away.
I remember watching him play at Scunthorpe United with Keegan back in the late 60s. Scunthorpe fans worshipped Nigel, particularly his goal scoring ability, which was no mean feat as he was playing along side Kevin Keegan at the time. Swashbuckling sums him up with his black hair and goucho tash!
What sad news.
Steve Barr
Posted by: Martin Webb, Sydney,Australia on 4:53pm Sat 24 May 08
Very sad when I heard this news. He was a very popular player and a real character on and off the pitch. I also remember him as a very friendly publican of the Black Bull in Launton, and playing against his pub team which included a few other locals like Peter Foley. Course Cass had moved to centre back by then and Simon Cooley gave him a bit of a runaround before waking up in hospital.....
Very sad when I heard this news. He was a very popular player and a real character on and off the pitch. I also remember him as a very friendly publican of the Black Bull in Launton, and playing against his pub team which included a few other locals like Peter Foley. Course Cass had moved to centre back by then and Simon Cooley gave him a bit of a runaround before waking up in hospital.....
Posted by: Becky Ingels, USA - Georgia on 3:46am Mon 26 May 08
I worked for Nigel and Shelly at the Molesworth - loved them both dearly - went to school with Dean - I was so sad to hear of his death - Shelly my thoughts and prayers are with you all - Becky
I worked for Nigel and Shelly at the Molesworth - loved them both dearly - went to school with Dean - I was so sad to hear of his death - Shelly my thoughts and prayers are with you all - Becky
Posted by: Sally Stevens, Cornwall on 2:38pm Mon 26 May 08
Only read about Nigel in todays Western Morning News. We knew him first from the "bottom pub" (Black Bull) and then the Shakespeare before he and Shelley moved down here. We moved down a few years later and discovered him in the Molesworth!! He never forgot a face - he remembered us! All my thoughts are with Shelley and the family. RIP
Only read about Nigel in todays Western Morning News. We knew him first from the "bottom pub" (Black Bull) and then the Shakespeare before he and Shelley moved down here. We moved down a few years later and discovered him in the Molesworth!! He never forgot a face - he remembered us! All my thoughts are with Shelley and the family. RIP
Posted by: AndyBarney on 7:21pm Fri 30 May 08
I played for Bicester when Cass was manager.
He was great fun to play for.
Shelly you were very kind to me. I'm so sorry for your loss.
I'll never forget the "Simon Says" warm ups. They live on with my club in Kansas. Other great memories are "Spoof" with the lads, trips to Lowestoft and St Helier. Many a late night at the Black Bull.
:( Andy Barney
I played for Bicester when Cass was manager.
He was great fun to play for.
Shelly you were very kind to me. I'm so sorry for your loss.
I'll never forget the "Simon Says" warm ups. They live on with my club in Kansas. Other great memories are "Spoof" with the lads, trips to Lowestoft and St Helier. Many a late night at the Black Bull.
:( Andy Barney
Posted by: Colin Best on 2:33pm Thu 12 Jun 08
Very sad news. Along with thousands of others I have great memories from the early seventies and this man figures in many of them. RIP big Guy.
ps, is that THE Colin Harrington who made the first reply ? Many great memories of him as well.
Very sad news. Along with thousands of others I have great memories from the early seventies and this man figures in many of them. RIP big Guy.
ps, is that THE Colin Harrington who made the first reply ? Many great memories of him as well.
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