Bob Knights

Bob Knights joined the Regent Street Polytechnic from Stoke Newington in 1950, shortly before completing his National Service in The Army. He became captain of the Polytechnic team and in 1956 guided them through an unbeaten season. He was also a member of the squad that won the National Championship in 1963.

Knights was an England and Great Britain international and made his England début against Scotland at Morecambe in 1954. He played for the Great Britain team that finished seventh at the Melbourne Olympics when one of his team-mates was fellow Polytechnic man Peter Pass. The following year, Knights competed for the Polytechnic in a 12-team competition at the World Youth Games in Moscow. Poly finished fourth behind the powerhouses of Russia, Hungary, and East Germany. Knights continued playing for Britain until the early 1960s and was captain in his final years.

A keen sailor in his retirement, Knights lived at Mayland in Essex, and sailed at the nearby Maylandsea Bay Sailing Club. Knights is remembered by them with the annual Bob Knights Trophy.