End of an era as Derry's Jobby Crossan shop closes for final time

It's an end of an era as Derry's Jobby Crossan shop closes for the final time.

John 'Jobby' Crossan and Jobby’s Sports Centre are synonymous with local football in Derry.

Last year Jobby was the focus of a BBC One film titled ‘True North: The Trophy Shop’, which showcased Jobby's Sport Centre as a meeting point for friends old and new and Derry’s go to destination for all sporting achievement awards.

Born in Hamilton Street in 1938, Jobby, arguably Derry’s most famous footballer, had an iconic career which included lining out for Standard Liege against the famous Real Madrid team of Ferenc Puskas, Gento and the great Alfredo Di Stefano in the European Cup semi-final of 1962, (he scored twice against Rangers in the previous round).

In 1963, Crossan returned to football in the UK (following the lifting of his 'life-time' ban) when he was signed by Sunderland, with whom he made it to the old First Division.

He then signed for Manchester City who were playing in the old Second Division. As team captain, he helped them make their way into the old First Division, before being sold to Middlesbrough after a loss of form following a car crash and other health problems.

Internationally, he was capped 24 times by Northern Ireland and scored 10 goals.