Robin Friday
Marvellous misfit who died tragically young
| Full name: | Robin Friday |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: | July 27, 1952 |
| Date of death: | December 22, 1990 |
| Clubs played for: | Reading, Cardiff |
Club Career
One of the most colourful and controversial characters of the 1970s, Friday was a regular scorer in non-league football before starting his professional career with Reading in 1973. He played more than 120 league games in three seasons at the club, moving on to Cardiff in 1976 for a fee of £30,000. He made only 21 league appearances for the Bluebirds, however, before walking out and returning to the non-league game. Just 13 years later, in 1990, he died at the age of 38 of a suspected heart attack.
Key Games
Reading 5-0 Tranmere (Fourth Division, March 31, 1976)
Friday scored one of the best goals of all-time in this 5-0 demolition of Tranmere. He controlled the ball on his chest, flicked it over his head and then smashed a 25-yard piledriver into the net. It was one of his two goals in the game, with the other three all coming from John Murray, and even referee Clive Thomas was impressed. He said: "You won't see a goal like that in the First Division." It's just a shame he scored it in the days before YouTube!
Cardiff 4-2 Luton (Second Division, April 1977)
Cardiff were facing a desperate battle to avoid relegation to the Third Division and this win over high-flying Luton gave them a real boost. Friday scored twice, with the Bluebirds' other goals in a 4-2 win coming from Peter Sayer and Phil Sawyer. After one of his goals, Friday turned to Luton goalkeeper Milija Aleksic and flicked a V-sign towards him, an image later used on the cover of a Super Furry Animals record. Oh, and they avoided the drop on goal difference.
Brighton 4-0 Cardiff (Second Division, October 29, 1977)
This was the beginning of the end for Friday as his descent gathered pace. Never far from trouble, he was sent off after 55 minutes of this 4-0 thrashing at the Goldstone Ground for kicking Mark Lawrenson in the face. For good measure, he then entered the home team's dressing room and defecated in Lawro's kit bag. He never played another game of professional football.
Did You Know...?
During his days at non-league Hayes, the team was forced to start one match with only 10 men as Friday was finishing a pint in the local pub.
He was named as Reading's "Player of the Millennium", even though he was with the club for just three seasons.
He was arrested for fare dodging when he arrived at Cardiff train station following his transfer from Reading, having travelled on just a platform ticket.
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