Agree with the earlier poster that Alan Stephenson leaving was my first recollection of losing one of our star players. Then as he said, Steve Kember to Chelsea was a real body blow, especially as Alan Birchenall was sold at the same time (I think it was the same day in 1971?). Our best midfielder and forward in one go. Couldn’t really believe it. Of course, subsequently we had Peter Taylor, Kenny Sansom, Ian Wright, etc. right through to Michael Olise, Eze, Guehi and LaCroix. Each time we looked on the brink of really competing with the big clubs it’s fallen apart.
As regards John Jackson, still in my opinion our best ever, with Nigel Martyn and Dean Henderson as very close competitors for the title. Unlucky to not play for England due to being in the same era as Gordon Banks and several other outstanding English keepers. Treated harshly by big Mal I thought and unceremoniously shipped off to Orient. It was very disappointing to witness.