Robin Friday (27 July 1952 – 22 December 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.
Personal life
Friday was the twin brother of Tony Friday, cousin to Michael Friday and second cousin to brothers Peter, Paul, Jamie and John Friday. His other family members are unknown. He left behind twin daughters born around 1969 to Maxine (née Dougan) from Acton, who is now a solicitor in criminal law.
Friday was found dead in his London flat on 22 December 1990 at the age of 38, having died of a heart attack.
Football career
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.
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 forward with 33.1% of the vote [1].
His goal for Reading against Tranmere Rovers 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 leaped 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 agitated by the future 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. Reading manager Maurice Evans once told Friday: "If you would just settle down for three or four years, you could play for England." Friday is said to have replied with the question "How old are you?" Evans told him and Friday duly responded "I'm half your age and I've lived twice your life." That was truly Robin Friday, the greatest player you never saw.
Bibliography/discography
McGuigan, Paul and Hewitt, Paolo (1997) The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw (ISBN 1-85158-909-0)
The cover of the Super Furry Animals' single "The Man Don't Give a f**k" had a picture of Friday scoring a goal for Cardiff, while flicking a V at the stranded goalkeeper.
Date of birth 27 July 1952
Place of birth Acton, London, England
Date of death 22 December 1990 (aged 38)
Place of death London, England
Playing position Striker
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1973–1976
1976–1977 Walthamstow Avenue
Hayes
Reading
Cardiff City
121 (46)
021 0(6)
