The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw

[Mindstate]

For my English Book Exam (I'm Dutch) I have chosen this book but I couldn't find it in any shop. So I ordered it from eBay, but it still wasn't delivered, while it's been more a week since It was shipped. Now I'm having a bit of a problem, cause the book test is on Friday (a book about Robin Friday on Friday ) , and I can't find out what's in the book. Can anyone tell me what it's about?

[Roland Butter]

I have actually read that book, so here's a quick summary:

 

It's non-fiction, the biography of ex-footballer Robin Friday. Born in West London in 1952, Friday was a wild youngster whose youth was spent truanting from school and generally getting into mischief, including a spot of burglary here and there and some time in prison.

 

The one thing Friday did have was a flamboyant talent for football. Although professional clubs steered clear of him, probably because of his indiscipline, he was persuaded to have a trial with a local semi-professional team, Hayes, who recognised his talent and signed him.

 

Working on building sites during the week, and playing for pocket money at weekends, Robin Friday's fame soon spread. Always a self-confident player with no respect for reputations, Friday had the ability to match, and scouts from professional clubs came flocking to look at this "wonder boy". In 1974, at the age of 21, Friday's professional career was launched when he signed for Reading in the Fourth Division.

 

He made the transition to professional football effortlessly, terrorising opposing defenders with his outrageous dribbling and sheer unpredictability, as Reading stormed to promotion. At the same time, Friday was a manager's nightmare - unpredictable, individualistic and with little self-discipline. A poor trainer, liable to go missing on alcohol- and drug-fuelled binges, yet adored by the fans for his skill and carefree approach, Friday had one saving grace - he was an unpredictable but hugely talented player who won matches!

 

No "big" clubs came in for Friday, but after two and a half years at Reading, he signed for Cardiff in December 1976, after 121 games and 46 goals for Reading. Almost immediately, crippling injury struck, and despite his attempts to come back, Robin Friday disappeared from football as quickly as he'd burst on the scene - by the end of season 1977/78 his career was over after just 21 appearances for Cardiff.

 

After that, Friday just disappeared back into the life he'd come from - picking up casual work around West London, drinking and experimenting with drugs, brawling here and there. Most fans forgot all about him, until one day in 1991, his body was found in a West London flat - dead at the age of 39 from suspected heart failure, due perhaps - who knows? - to his wayward lifestyle.

 

A tremendously talented player who - for reasons partly to do with his own approach - never got the chance to show his talents on the biggest stage, Robin Friday truly was "The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw".

 

Hope that helps. I did keep that book for a long time, but unfortunately I'm pretty sure I no longer have it, but if you can track it down, it's a great read.

[Mindstate]

Thanks!

 

I actually have ordered it too, but unfortunately it didn't arrive fast enough. But I'll read it nonetheless because it looks interesting to me.

But your info could be useful , thank you

[Roland Butter]

I'm expecting you to get nothing less than an "A" - don't let me down

[ChrisJ]

Will be giving this book a try. From what i have found on the intrnet Robin Friday was an absolute nutter but a great footballer.

Should be an interesting read even if it is part wrote by Oasis's former bass player.

[Ben]

I think I might add this to the ever-growing 'read soon' pile, sounds very very interesting.

[Roland Butter]

Will be giving this book a try. From what i have found on the intrnet Robin Friday was an absolute nutter but a great footballer.

 

I'd describe him as a poor man's Stan Bowles with knobs on. It's well worth a read, if only to marvel at the sheer audacity of some of the things he did. Not sure about the claim to "greatness", but it's an entertaining story.