Robin Friday

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.

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.

He was cousin of Michael Friday and second cousin to brothers Peter, Paul, Jamie and John Friday. His other family members are unknown.

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. In a vote to compile the Royals' best-ever eleven, Friday was voted on the team as centre back with 33.1% of the vote [1].

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 cameras 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 received 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. However, he lasted only twenty-five games with Cardiff before simply leaving football for good. Maurice Setters 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.

Jamie Lawrence
Bankrobber, footballer, entertainer, showman.

    * Born: London, UK
    * Signed from Leicester City by Chris Kamara for £50,000
    * Never gave less than 110%. One of the key members of the 1998/99 promotion   
      squad and the 1999/00 "staying up" squad.
    * Joined Walsall on a free transfer in 2003.
    * Brief spells at Wigan and Grimsby. Almost re-signed for City before joining
      Brentford in autumn 2004.

I remember hearing that Kamara had signed two wingers. Fifty thousand pounds a piece.

The one people had heard of was the ex-Everton and Man City winger Peter Beagrie; a player people had obviously seen the best of and a typical City signing of 'past his best' and 'playing his career out'.

The other was lesser known. A pineapple-haired Londoner from Leicester named Jamie Lawrence who people had heard of, but never really thought about. A lad, indeed, who a Foxes supporting friend of mine described as 'was supposed to be "one for the future" but never got there when the future turned up'. Best of all, he'd managed to get into football solely through being in prison for his part in various robberies! The first footballer whose transfer fee didn't match the amount stolen in various armed raids!

Sunderland had spotted him whilst he playing for Cowes Sports on the Isle of Wight (a team who, themselves, had spotted him in a game against the prison in which he was residing!) The Sunderland manager at the time, one Terry Butcher, offered him a one-year professional contract. He then moved to Darlington before Leicester came in for him.

Jamie was a revelation; a barrel-chested pacey winger that the opposition bounced off. He'd beat them with pace or his physique. Time after time after time. His ball control was not exactly like that of a Maradona, or even a Murray; more a "constantly six-feet in front of him and run after it" player; an Andy Kiwomya who could batter the opposition into submission. He was full of running; one of the most hard-working players I've ever had the fortune of seeing. A different type of player to those we've seen more recently: HE LOOKED LIKE HE CARED! He wasn't afraid of anyone, either in size or in reputation.

During our promotion season, he created so many goals with his precision passing and exceptional crossing, even managing to chip in with a few important ones himself. A meandering run from the half-way line to put us into a 4-0 half-time lead against Norwich. He controlled a live Sky game by himself, managing to be everywhere at once, his display culminating in a tap-in just before half-time to give us the lead in what eventually became a 2-1 defeat at St Andrews. The one of the fourteen at Wolves who had battled his way to a one-on-one with the keeper to give us certain Premier League football before being unceremoniously bundled over by former Bantam Dean Richards.

He probably deserved more than a second place in the player of the year vote in the promotion season, but second is the highest you're ever going to get if Stuart's around. The fact that he beat the three top scorers of the season in their respective best season of their careers speaks volumes as to the fans thought for him.

The moment that most summed up to me what Jamie was about was not the brilliant left-foot curler against Reading, not virtually the same goal (one of two) against West Ham in the amazing 5-4 game, not the terrific lob against Gillingham, not the vast array of phosphorescent hair colours we were shown in his time at the club and not even the time he appeared on Soccer AM's 'Showboating'!

None of these.

The archetypal Jamie moment was during the pinnacle of our recent history in the elite: the 2-0 win over Chelsea in August 2001. The ball comes to the new Italian Chelsea left-back Christian Panucci, recently on as sub, inside his half and not au fait with the speed of the English game, proceeds to 'fanny' about on the ball in an attempt to slow the pace. Jamie takes off from his position a good 25-yards away and unsubtley thunders towards him. What did he not see? All the 20,000 people in the ground saw it. It's not as if there was anyone blocking his view. To a oft-heard shout of "'Ave 'Im, Jamie!" from my seat in Block D of the Sunwin Stand, he threw himself into a tackle which not only took the ball perfectly cleanly but crunched through said defender and left him screaming in mid-air before landing in a heap on the floor. Jamie got up with the ball and carried on running. No foul said the referee.

As with the other players at the time, he was disgracefully treated during administration; made redundant before being reinstated. He moved into a more central midfield role to fit in with 3-5-2 formation of the time and still performed admirably, but it was becoming clear that due to the financial issues at the club, contracts would not be renewed.

Jamie moved on to Walsall after his contract expired and has since left the Saddlers. Rumours would have Colin Todd signing him back when space in the squad comes available and I, for one, would welcome him back with open arms.

Jamie Lawrence, I salute you; one of the all-time greats.

Gary McAllister

Gary McAllister MBE (born 25 December 1964, in Motherwell) is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager. He began his playing career at Motherwell F.C., scoring 8 goals in 70 appearances, until his fine performance in the 1985 Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic F.C. caught the eye of Leicester City F.C. manager Gordon Milne. He signed for the English club, along with Motherwell team-mate Ally Mauchlen, for a combined fee of £250,000 in 1985.

McAllister went on to play for Leeds United A.F.C., Coventry City F.C. and Liverpool F.C. He was also a Scotland international and is a member of the Scotland Football Hall of Fame, having won over 50 caps.

Though serving for a relatively short time at Anfield, he played an integral role in the team that won a treble of cups in 2000 & 2001. His ability to play central midfield or on either wing made him a useful weapon in the armoury of then manager Gérard Houllier, who described McAllister as his "most inspirational signing."

Gary was also known for his ability with the dead-ball and frequently demonstrated that skill as he presided over most of Liverpool's set pieces that season scoring a memorable long range free-kick against local rivals Everton which cemented him into Anfield folklore, many suggesting the club had signed him 10 years too late. He also made a strong impression on the younger members of ths squad, and seemed to inspire players around him when they found themselves in a corner.

McAllister also had a spell in management with former club Coventry City F.C. However he resigned for family reasons, his wife, Denise, having been ill with breast cancer. She died on 3 March 2006, aged 39.

In 2001, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to football.

Consistently classy, this experienced Scottish international has demonstrated the range and power of his game at a variety of top clubs, winning a championship medal during his time at Leeds United in the early 90s. His magnificent passing skills and dead ball ability have also won him acclaim at international level, and he brought a wealth of knowledge to Liverpool following his arrival from Premiership rivals Coventry City. Came to prominence at Leicester after signing from Motherwell, and helped carve out chances in a Foxes team including Alan Smith. Despite being sent-off on his full Liverpool debut against Arsenal he was born-again during the 00/01 season and established himself back in the first team with a series of outstanding displays and important goals. Hit a rich vein of form towards the end of the season scoring five goals in five games as the run in for European places heated up - has become Liverpool's dead-ball specialist. Originally brought in as a bit-part player McAllister has found a new lease of life and is as much a regular in Gérard Houllier's side as any other player. He was a key factor in Liverpool's treble cup success and Champions League qualification during the 00/01 season. England fans have fond memories of McAllister as he missed a vital penalty for Scotland in a crucial Euro 96 group clash with the auld enemy.

Full back, centre back and midfielder he was one of the great Liverpool captains and the first to hold aloft the European Cup after the majestic 3-1 victory over Borrussia Moenchengladbach in Rome in 1977.

Hughes, who also captained England and won 62 caps, was signed as a 19-year-old by Bill Shankly from Blackpool for £65,000 in 1967 after a mere 31 League and Cup appearances. But his infectious enthusiasm, skill and endless drive combined to make him a player of impressive stature and also prompted Everton fans to give him the enduring nickname 'Crazy Horse'.

Barrow-born Hughes was an inspirational figure for club and country and crowned his energetic displays with some spectacular goals, including two in the Mersey derby win at Everton in March 1973.

Hughes, an OBE, came from a sporting family; his father was former Barrow and Britain Rugby League star Fred, both his brother and uncle were R L professionals and one of his aunts was an England hockey international. His Anfield career ended when he joined Wolves for £90,000 in 1979.