Bob Hobley (6 Apr 1947 - 22 Jul 2025)

RIP Bob

Since leaving Wilsthorpe school, Long Eaton, 44 years ago in 1981, Mr Bob Hobley has crossed my mind most weeks of my life; he is unforgettable.
(He always reminded me of Starsky in the TV series Starsky and Hutch.)
On 14 August 2025, I went online trying to find some information about Mr Hobley, hoping to get in touch and reminisce about yesteryear, only to then read the shocking, sad news that he had passed away from this life only about two weeks ago.

Between the years 1976-1981, Mr Hobley trained me, from aged 11, to somehow (to my shock) become the fastest 100 metres sprinter not only in all of Wilsthorpe school, regardless of age, but also the fastest in all the schools on the Long Eaton district.
Mr Hobley was a brilliant all-round sports coach.
I later found out that at my first district sports day, Mr Hobley had placed a bet against Mr Steve Hart, the Long Eaton Grammar school sports coach, that I would win the 800 metres middle distance race, then 20 minutes later win the 100 metres sprint, then later win the relay team race.

By some miracle on that boiling hot day, all three races ended for me in a win (and so did Bob’s bet) with the assistance of a group of girls Mr Hobley had recruited, to massage my legs and fan me with a towel after each race to help me recover, while Mr Hobley stood over me with that trademark smile, with his head twitching to the side, with that eye wink and that tongue that kept protruding out the corner of his mouth now and then, as he said, “Come on Jacko, you can do it!”

Under Mr Hobley’s excellent training, both the girls and boys athletics relay teams for our school year, remained unbeaten on the district, for the full five years we were at Wilsthorpe school.
I’ve said for many years, if the Great Britain Olympic/World Championships athletics teams had Mr Hobley as their relay coach, they would have had more success, without running off too early, looking back, waving their arms around, dropping the baton or failing to exchange the baton within the baton changing zone.

One of my big regrets is that I never took Mr Hobley’s advice in 1981, when he said I should join the Notts (Nottinghamshire) Athletics Club, stay on at school, study and train to qualify for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Mr Hobley was known to many as a great cricket fan and coach and he maintained his cricket love throughout his later years.
However, Mr Hobley had professional level football skills; I watched him walk and talk while juggling a football with both feet, then flick the ball up and balance it on his head, then catch the ball on the back of his neck, then let the ball run down his back, then back-heel the ball back over his head.
Mr Hobley trained me to become a regular top scorer, mainly as a winger, for the Wilsthorpe school football team and also for the Long Eaton district team on two football tours, when we flew on a plane to Jersey in the Channel Islands.

I could write a lot more about Mr Bob Hobley, including how he smoked like a chimney, then one day trapped me in a smoke filled corner until I coughed, then warned me to stay away from cigarettes, saying I must do as he said, not as he did! Because of Mr Hobley’s warnings, I never smoked.

Goodnight Mr Bob Hobley, sleep and take your rest, it was an honour and privilege to have known you. May your family receive strength and comfort at this sad time. May the Most High God grant you eternal peace.

My inspiration. Opened the door to the amazing life I lead. I became a teacher, I played top level sports. Bob was a hero for me. Love & condolences to your family Bob.

what will I do without my lovely Bob. I cannot believe I will not see you again. A kind person, true gent who will be missed by many, but especially by me. We had great conversations about many things, including cricket, which was his love. Shared lots of funny stories. I noticed you were getting tired but never thought I would lose you so soon. Sleep well my lovely xxxx