Where are they now?: Bobby Moncur

Jon Culley
Monday 12 September 1994 23:02 BST
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CAPTAINCY is clearly in the blood of Bobby Moncur, the inspirational leader of the Newcastle side triumphant in the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs' Cup. Nowadays, he can be found skippering not football teams but ocean-going yachts.

The former Scottish international wing-half runs a sailing school at St Peter's Marina on the Tyne, having cut his teeth in transatlantic and round-Britain races. Qualified as a Royal Yachting Association master instructor, he also takes out charter vessels on corporate sailing days along the Northumberland coast.

'It all started with an advert in an Edinburgh newspaper in 1979 offering six hours' tuition in a dinghy,' Moncur said. 'I'd never sailed before and I've been hooked since.'

Two seasons as manager of Plymouth Argyle, from 1981 to 1983, helped consolidate the interest. 'It was there that I met Nick Skinnard, a solicitor, with whom I did the transatlantic. We were flattened in bad weather off the north of Ireland and I think we finished last, but it was a tremendous experience.'

The 1969 final was an exceptional match for Moncur. Of a career record of eight goals in 343 games for Newcastle, he scored three in the two legs against Ujpest Dozsa. 'Joe Harvey never liked me to go beyond the half-way line as a rule.'

A team reunion at Newcastle Civic Centre on 25 September will raise money for the Northern Rock Sail Training scheme, in which Moncur participates.

Married with a son and daughter, Moncur lives in the Low Fell area of Gateshead. He will be 50 in January and became a grandfather this year.

(Photograph omitted)

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