One of Derry’s greatest sportsmen has been wished a happy retirement after it was confirmed his sporting goods shop in the city is being put up for sale after 50 years of trading.
Jobby’s Sport Centre has been a fixture of the city centre for over half a century and went on the market on Friday following the retirement of owner John ‘Jobby’ Crossan, who previously shared a pitch with the iconic trio of George Best, Eusébio and Pelé.
In a tribute to one of the city’s legendary figures, former SDLP leader and current Foyle MP Colum Eastwood wrote on social media: “We’re witnessing the end of an era today in Derry as Jobby Crossan closes his shop on the Racecourse Road for the last time.
“People from right across our city and wider island will have many fond memories of calling in, grabbing the best new kit, and getting the chance to speak to the legend himself.
“Today marks the end of a lifetime of work that has taken him from the Bogside to England, Europe, and further afield, as well as marking the beginning of a well-earned retirement.
“Congratulations Jobby, and all the best of luck from the people of Derry.”
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In another post, SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said he had fond memories of shopping in Jobby’s as a child and paid tribute to its footballer owner upon his retirement and future sale of the shop.
“Jobby’s Sports Centre is up for sale after half a century of service, sportsgear and stories,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Many of us will have great memories of the place. I went there to buy a Mitre Delta with my first Communion money and got plenty of pairs of football boots and goalie gloves off Jobby over the years.
“But a visit to Jobby’s was always much more than a purchase – it was a pleasure. In more recent years, I’d still call in the odd time to see Jobby and hear his and his muckers’ sporting stories and views on football, politics and everything else.
“Wishing Jobby a happy and healthy retirement- thanks for the memories you have engraved on our hearts.”
Born in Hamilton Street in 1938, and one of nine children, Jobby’s football career included lining out for Standard Liege against Real Madrid.
During his career, the Derry footballer was famously banned by the Irish League for life here and in Britain, after finding him guilty of being paid as an amateur and asking for more than the permitted £750 from a transfer fee.
During an interview with the Belfast Telegraph last year, Jobby described it as a “cruel sentence” and “a soccer tragedy”, as he had been “condemned without a hearing”.
He went on to buy the sporting shop which specialises in trophies and plaques in the 1970s. The shop’s fame and love from the local community was so vast, it became the subject of a BBC Northern Ireland True North documentary, titled The Trophy Shop which aired last year.