Robin Friday
From Free net encyclopedia
Robin Friday (July 27 1952 - December 22, 1990) was an English footballer. He was the epitome of a "flawed genius" graced with immense talent, but having a wild and unpredictable temperament that could see him kissing a policeman one match, pulling down an opponent's shorts in a second, and being sent off and defecating in the opposition's bath in a third.
Contents |
Early career
Friday started his career for the now defunct Walthamstow Avenue football club, but soon moved to Hayes, who were willing to pay him more and were closer to his home in Acton. Hayes started one match with only ten players, as Friday was finishing a pint in the local pub. When he finally took the field after ten minutes he was obviously drunk and spent the game staggering around the pitch. Naturally, the opposition ignored him, until he scored the only goal of the game.
Move to Reading
In 1973 he was transferred to Reading, where he signed professional forms for the first time. In the 135 games he played for The Biscuitmen he scored 55 goals and made many more. He became such a crowd favourite that his on- and off-field antics are still the subject of discussion three decades after he left the club. He even won the "Player of the Millennium" award, a considerable achievement when many of the voters could never have seen him play. His goal for Reading v Tranmere in March 1976 has been described as one of the greatest ever goals - sadly scored in the days before there were camera's at every match. Friday apparently was waiting just outside the edge of the box when the ball was sent towards him. He subsequently lept high into the air, caught the ball on his chest, spun around in the air, and proceeded to fire the ball into the top right-hand corner, to the great roar of the crowd. Another time whilst playing against Mark Lawrenson Friday became aggitated by the erstwhile BBC Pundit. He kicked Lawrenson in the face and recieved a red card before defecating in Lawrenson's kit bag.
Ends career at Cardiff
In 1976 Friday moved to Cardiff City for the knock-down price of £30,000. The Cardiff manager commented that he felt he was taking advantage of Reading, but was simply told "you'll see". Robin didn't disappoint and was arrested at Cardiff railway station on the day he arrived, having travelled from Reading with just a platform ticket. He started his playing career with Cardiff even more spectacularly, scoring twice against a defence directed by Bobby Moore. Sadly, he lasted only twenty-five games with Cardiff before simply leaving football for good. A manager once told Friday: "If you cut out the booze and drugs, you could play for England." Friday is said to have replied: "I'm half your age and have lived twice your life."
Premature death
Robin Friday was found dead in his London flat on 22nd December 1990 at the age of 38, having died of a heart attack.
Bibliography
- McGuigan, Paul and Hewitt, Paolo (1997) The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw ISBN 1851589090
Musicology
The cover of the Super Furry Animals' single "The Man Don't Give A Fuck" had a picture of Friday scoring a goal for Cardiff, while flicking a V at the stranded goalkeeper.