Originally Posted by
cardiff55
I remember the excitement about his signing for us. Then he went and scored two on his debut versus Fulham and Bobby Moore and the crowd, over 20,000 - our biggest that season, were smitten with him. Two more in that game against Luton later in the season, with the famous photograph of him making a sign to the 'keeper. And six goals in twenty games.
Then in the summer he went missing, a supposed mystery illness. Various stories about him came out later, but he only made two appearances that season (1977/78), I think in a 0-4 defat at Brighton where i believe he was sent off, and a 3-6 defat at Bolton where he was substituted. And that was that.
I think he cost £25,000, which was not a lot even back in those days, even for City. But it has to be said, despite him being a 'folk hero', that it was a waste of time and money. But at least he scored six more goals than Cornelius or Niasse.
He could be brilliant and in other games just be invisible and disinterested. Such a shame. A few months later we bought Gary Stevens for £3000 who tuned in to a great asset for the club. We also offloaded Keith Robson in the same season as Friday as he came and went with a whimper too.