Dwight fights Villa emotion
By COLIN YOUNG - The Daily Mail
Last updated at 23:30pm on 21st March 2008
As Manchester United soaked up the Nou Camp atmosphere on that famous night nine years ago, one player reached inside his jacket pocket, pulled out his mobile and rang the man responsible for introducing him to English football as a raw 16-year-old, putting him on the path to his Champions League winner's medal.
The name Dwight Yorke scrolled to was Graham Taylor, the only boss brave enough to offer the naturally gifted striker a chance at Aston Villa.
'I remember standing on the pitch before the final and I just couldn't stop thinking that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him,' said Yorke. 'So I rang him up and told him so.
'I wanted to thank him for everything he'd done. It's no secret he was the man responsible for me coming over, who invited me and obviously helped me make the grade. I'm very grateful to him for that.'
Villa was his home for nearly a decade and he has happy memories and many friends from that period, not least his first landlady Sheila Dudley, who hopes to be at Villa Park for the 36-year-old's return with Sunderland today.
His £12.6million departure to United was not well received at Villa Park and neither was Yorke's return there, but the reaction could be less hostile today for what could be his last visit.
Yorke said: 'I have fond memories. They're the team I support and I've got loads of friends and family in that neck of the woods and people I've become really close to, so it will be emotional.
'I'll probably get some stick, but hopefully they'll remember some of the good things that I did, too. It was tough at first.
'It was a whole change of culture for me because when you live in the Caribbean you have a certain type of weather, food and people. Everything was different.
'It was difficult, but I had a desire and determination to make it work because it was what I wanted. It was an opportunity I didn't want to let go.
'I've been blessed that I've achieved the majority of things in the game.
'My new-born son will make his appearance for the first time. I have all that to deal with but it's a great feeling to have, to know that this is where my career started and that it might be the last time I'm in this stadium as a player. The emotion might be running a bit high, but I'll be fine.'
Contract talks with Roy Keane are on hold until the end of the season.
Yorke will be a free agent, with a return to Australia among the possibilities. Others are certain to come his way and he and Keane have not ruled out another year at Sunderland.
Keane's former team-mate has been one of his most astute signings, even if his influence is not always appreciated by supporters.
When Keane called Yorke, the funloving Tobagonian dropped everything in Sydney, where he had just led his team to their first title. He departed a hero, but he was still hungry.
'You can just picture Yorkie over there, thinking would he ever come back here?' reflected Keane. 'And he did because he loves his football and knows his football. I knew he was happy there, but it was great for me he came back.
'I have known Yorkie a long time and I have great respect for him. When I first got the job, to make a statement it was important for me I got someone in who's been there and done it.
'Obviously he's pushing on a bit but he still comes in with a smile on his face. I like Yorkie a lot and I think he's a good player and a good lad. He does things his way. He's laid-back.
'Alex Ferguson couldn't change him so I don't think I can. You have to get your head round that and ask what is he bringing to the party.
'And Yorkie brings a lot to our dressing room. I certainly wouldn't rule it out that he could be here next season.'
Keane often uses Yorke to set the standards for the younger players and, now playing in Keane's role, even the slightest error can be seized upon. But Yorke knew what he was taking on.
'When I make a mistake he'll sometimes come to the line and have a pop, but he knows I'm trying my hardest to make things happen. That's part of my role out there. I'm likely to take risks making a pass.
'I played with the guy for four years. I've got some insight into what to expect from him occasionally, although I can't always read him!
'I could have taken the easy option of staying in Sydney, living on a beautiful harbour, with the weather, the water and everything else that goes with it, but no. We live for a challenge and the challenge was to come to the Championship, which I found extremely hard.
'Part of me thought I must be crazy but Keano wanted me. We got the job done in terms of getting into the Premier League.
'Coming back was obviously the right decision. If it's going to end, then I want it to finish on a high and that's keeping this club up.'
