On 30th December 1976, Cardiff City FC Manager Jimmy Andrews was called to Cardiff Central Train Station. His newly acquired striker had been arrested trying to evade paying for his train fare. Two days later, after a drinking session that lasted until 5am, this iconic star woke up and scored two goals whilst running rings around Bobby Moore (England’s World Cup winning Captain) in a New Years Day game against Fulham.
Robin Friday had arrived in Cardiff.
Drink, drugs, women and prison all rolled into one typified this footballing legend. “The greatest footballer you never saw” was a phrase taken as a title of a book about the player.
Such was his flamboyance on the pitch, that even World Cup referee Clive Thomas applauded one of his goals, saying it was the best he had ever seen.
In one fractious game against Luton, his altercation with the opposing goalkeeper and the goalkeeper’s refusal to shake Friday’s hand resulted in Friday scoring against his nemesis, and subsequently sticking his two fingers up at the keeper. Caught on camera, this legendary photograph is now the cover of an album of the Welsh band, The Super Furry Animals.
A professional career of just five years, this footballing genius left a lasting mark voted as ‘All Time Cult Hero’ by fans of which at the age of eleven, I can say “I was there!”
Sadly, this star was dead by the age of 38.
For those in life who work hard and play hard, come the weekend, it is time to say, “Thank God it’s Friday”.
Ian Mackenzie