Bradford City fans remember the late Bobby Campbell

It will be five years in November since the Irishman took his own life and he remains hugely missed by former team-mates and fans.

With 143 goals from his 320 appearances in two spells at the club, Campbell’s name sits proudly at the top of the list – it may never be overtaken.

But his revered reputation at Valley Parade was built just as much off the field as on it.

Here the fans have their say in tribute for the greatest striker – and larger-than-life character - to don claret and amber.

“I was playing in goal during a Junior Bantams training session,” said Rob Hunt. “Bobby thumped a header towards me.

“To this day I’m proud to say that I tipped it over the bar. It really hurt my hand though!”

Rob Crabtree, whose son Lewis suffers from cerebral palsy, had Campbell’s name put on the side of the wheelchair that he had helped to buy.

He said: “I never got the privilege to meet him, but my wife and children did. The kids still talk about him today, sword fighting with balloons and tickling them round the bar.”

Bobby Campbell helped raise money for Lewis Crabtree's wheelchair

Campbell’s fuelling habits were legendary before and after games.

“I always remember when I first started going to watch City in the Bradford end,” said @bradfordbrownie on Twitter. “He’d be stood there smoking someone’s cigar before he went back in for the team talk.”

Antony Davies summed up Campbell on Facebook: “Belle Vue pub at 2pm, hat-trick by 5pm.

“I remember back in the day we beat Rotherham 1-0 with a late goal – the (T&A) headline was ‘Bob’s nod does job’, classic!”

Duchess Kent wrote: “He never will be forgotten. I could imagine what it would be like on his birthday, the Irish whiskey and Carling would be flowing.

“What I would give for you to be sat here having a pint with me now.”

Bev Dove recalled Campbell’s generosity when they met on a night-out.

“My friend and I were on our way out of Silks nightclub when Bobby and his wife Paula came in.

“He asked us why were going home so early but we had spent up.

“He ushered us back downstairs and left money behind the bar. That was the lovely side to Bobby.”

Bobby Campbell poses for a picture with Lenny Berry, the City Gent

Mike Turner recalls Campbell’s hero status around the city after his goal had beaten European champions Liverpool at Valley Parade in the League Cup.

“There was a sign outside a church that said ‘Jesus Saves’. Underneath was written ‘but Campbell scores the rebound’!”

Campbell’s goals provided special promotion memories.

For City Gent Lenny Berry, it was his double in the 4-0 win at Cambridge in April 1985 which sealed success in the Third Division.

Simon Smith pinpoints Campbell’s late equaliser against Bournemouth three years earlier, clinching promotion from the fourth tier, as the moment his love affair with City began.

“Those wild celebrations as a result got me hooked on City,” he said. “I still have the images in my head of the view of that goal from the Shed end.”

Steve Bell has his own insight into Campbell’s character from an incident that took place before a reserve game during the same season.

“City were not allowed to use floodlights so played all their matches in the North Midlands League at Apperley Bridge during the afternoons,” he said.

“I was a linesman in that league working in the Civil Service in Forster Square. Many times, the appointed linesmen could not get off work so I was called to fill their place.

“On one such occasion Bobby and Joe Cooke were called in to do extra training. Manager Roy McFarland told them to take two corner flags each and put them out on the pitch.

“Joe promptly set off but Bobby lagged a few yards behind and hurled a corner flag straight at him - missing his head by inches!

Fan Andy Norman, aged 14, gets an autograph from Bobby Campbell in 1982

“Joe just smiled but Bobby was in hysterics and two linesmen and the referee were in shock!”

Andy Norman still has the picture from 1982 of asking for Campbell’s autograph as a 14-year-old before the team photo. The kit he wore is the same as this season.

And former City favourite Jamie Lawrence paid his own tribute.

“What a legend,” he wrote. “He always took time out to make me feel welcome. Rest easy Bobby.”

Campbell’s biography written by the late Paul Firth had it right. They don’t make them like him anymore.