Black and white photo of Robin Friday, perched on a wall tying his shoelaces, before a football game
Black and white photo of Robin Friday, perched on a wall tying his shoelaces, before a football game (Image: Daily Mirror)
Robin Friday's final infamous action on the football field was a brutal kick to Mark Lawrenson's face.
The tale that followed his sending off claims the Cardiff City striker barged into Brighton's dressing room, committing an unimaginable act in Lawrenson's kit bag, then left the grounds mid-game. Merely two months afterwards, he hung up his boots, retiring from the game at the tender age of 25.
Sadly, 13 years post-retirement, Friday was found deceased in his flat, succumbing to a heart attack that's rumoured to have been triggered by a heroin overdose at just 38 years old.
Often celebrated as "the complete centre forward", Friday combined breathtaking goal-scoring prowess with preposterous behaviour both gracious and grotesque; he would score stunners, indulge in awkward physical encounters with opponents by grabbing or kissing them unexpectedly. Off the pitch, his life was consumed by womanising, heavy drinking and rampant drug misuse.
Shocking exploits were part of his legend; he baffled many by bringing a swan into a pub, pinching headstones from a cemetery, and performing an explicit jig known as 'The Elephant' – more details will emerge on this.
Friday's existence was fast-paced and tragically short. His professional career might have spanned just four fleeting years, yet he remains etched in history as Reading's finest player and a cherished figure at Cardiff.
Friday grew up alongside his twin brother Tony in the working-class Acton suburbs of west London during the effervescent decades of the 1950s and 1960s.
Black and white photo of Robin Friday with his first wife Maxine and daughter Nicola in 1972
Black and white photo of Robin Friday with his first wife Maxine and daughter Nicola in 1972 (Image: Daily Mirror)
During his teenage years, when he first dabbled in drugs, he played for the youth squads of Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea. Unfortunately, due to his rebellious nature, none of these clubs were prepared to gamble on the young maverick.
He left school at 15 and worked as a plasterer, van driver and window cleaner before his involvement in criminal activities, namely thefts, led to a 14-month term at Feltham Borstal. His father Alf summarised it bluntly: "He didn't care."
After being released, he and his girlfriend Maxine Doughan, who faced antagonism for their mixed-race relationship, welcomed their daughter Nicola. Unperturbed by the prejudice they encountered, both at a mere 17 years of age, they defiantly married.
Over the ensuing three years, Friday made his mark playing in the Isthmian League with Walthamstow Avenue, Hayes and Enfield, balancing football with his day job as an asphalter.
He had already become known for his excessive drinking by this time, but his first brush with death was unrelated to any substance abuse.
In a frightening incident in 1972, Friday suffered a horrific fall from scaffolding, landing on a large spike that impaled him through the buttock and perilously close to his lung after piercing his stomach.
Within a mere three months, he was back on the pitch. In 1973, Reading manager Charlie Hurley decided to take a punt on Friday, opting to sign him as an amateur while allowing him to maintain his job as an asphalter.
Footballer Robin Friday poses at Elm Park, home ground of Reading FC, shortly after signing a professional contract for the Fo
Footballer Robin Friday poses at Elm Park, home ground of Reading FC, shortly after signing a professional contract (Image: Daily Mirror)
His debut on the scene electrified the crowd. Impressive performances early in his career resulted in a professional contract with the Royals just a few months into his tenure.
Possessing blistering pace, strength and mesmerising skills with the ball, combined with an unyielding physical presence and shrewd game sense, Friday quickly became the bane of every defender's existence. He swiftly captured the hearts of the fans.
Yet, with extraordinary talent came significant challenges. During training sessions, Friday's zest sometimes slipped into downright unruliness; he dismissed the need for shin pads and wouldn't hesitate to throw himself into tackles.
Reading historian David Downs reflected: "In his very first training session they were playing a six-a-side game and Robin went around trying to kick as many of the established Reading players as he could. He must have put two or three out of the game. Hurley had to call him off."
Away from the pitch, Friday's fondness for Colt 45 malt liquor led to frequent expulsions from local pubs. Notably, he was barred from the posh Sindlesham Mill nightclub following an indecent 'Elephant' dance involving his jeans pockets and an offensive gesture with his privates.
Syd Simmons disclosed that the maverick footballer Friday strictly followed his manager Hurley's directive to abstain from alcohol 48 hours before a match. However, instead of drinking, Friday would indulge in LSD and immerse himself in heavy metal music on those evenings.
In an offbeat move to limit his wild behaviour, the club decided to house him above their retired groundsman's lodging. But rather than tempering his antics, this placement only seemed to lead Friday further down the path of hedonism.
Friday's tenure at Reading FC commenced on an interesting note. Following tattoo removal surgery on his fingers over the summer, he unexpectedly joined a hippy commune in Cornwall, leaving the club in the dark about his whereabouts.
Despite returning later than expected, Friday hit the ground running with a remarkable start to the season, though his conduct during away games grew increasingly erratic and unpredictable.
On one occasion, after a match and during a brief stop of the team bus, Friday climbed over the wall of a cemetery and pilfered stone angels from a grave. His intention was to position them beside the snoozing club chairman, a decision that prompted Hurley to sternly warn him, "You must never ever desecrate a graveyard."
In another bizarre incident, he strolled into a hotel bar with a live swan tucked under his arm, which he had found outside.
As the 1974-75 season drew to a close, Friday celebrated scoring a last-gasp winner against Rochdale by planting a kiss on a policeman stationed behind the goal. When questioned about his motives, he quipped, "He looked so cold and fed up standing there that I decided to cheer him up a bit."
With an impressive tally of 20 goals, Friday was crowned the club's player of the year.
The ensuing season saw him hit new heights, earning a cult status amongst followers with his signature full lap of the pitch celebration after each goal. His most memorable moment came on March 31, 1976, against Tranmere, where he executed an extraordinary overhead kick that found the top corner of the net.
Cardiff City's Robin Friday gives a two finger salute to Luton goalkeeper Milija Aleksic after scoring his second goal
Cardiff City's Robin Friday gives a two finger salute to Luton goalkeeper Milija Aleksic after scoring his second goal at Ninian Park on Saturday. April 1977. (Image: Western Mail Archive)
Iconic referee Clive Thomas was so impressed by Friday's flamboyance on the field that he claimed his abilities outshone legends like Pele and Johan Cruyff. To which Friday quipped: "Really? You should come down here more often, I do that every week."
His zenith arrived shortly afterwards when Reading clinched promotion to the Third Division, marking the high point of Friday's playing days. Yet the good times didn't last long.
A contract disagreement preceded his audacious wedding to Liza Deimel, his second wife. The ceremony became infamous for Friday's extravagant attire: tiger skin shirt, brown velvet suit, snakeskin boots, and scenes of him rolling a joint on the steps of the church.
The mayhem continued at the reception, plagued by inebriation, brawls, and nicked gifts.
Friday's increasing indulgence in nightlife and substance misuse led to a notable decline in form. Manager Hurley acknowledged Friday's drug issue was affecting his performance.
With considerations to offload him, Hurley delivered a stern warning: "The squad needs you but I owe it to the club because I can't have you using drugs. If I know you're using drugs, it won't take them [major clubs] long to find out. You have got to get your act together."
Old black and white photo of footballer Robin Friday, arms crossed and standing up, smiling and with long black hair
Old black and white photo of footballer Robin Friday, arms crossed and standing up, smiling and with long black hair (Image: Reading Post)
In one of his last appearances for Reading, Friday demonstrated his dissatisfaction with the team's performance in a rather unconventional manner. He broke into the opposing team's dressing room and defecated in their bath during a match against Mansfield.
Cardiff managed to secure his services with a modest bid of £28,000 in late December 1976, and he reluctantly joined Jimmy Andrews' squad.
However, his stint with the Bluebirds began on a shaky note. Upon arriving at Cardiff Central railway station, he was arrested for fare evasion, leading Andrews to bail him out.
Despite staying up until 5am drinking the night before his debut against Fulham on New Year's Day 1977, Friday still managed to score two goals and outplay England legend Bobby Moore, even subjecting him to his signature "squeeze" move.
Yet, his most unforgettable moment for Bluebirds fans occurred during an April match against Luton. After several confrontations with goalkeeper Milija Aleksic, Friday celebrated scoring by walking past Aleksic and making a V-sign gesture, much to the fans' delight.
This act of defiance inspired Welsh indie band Super Furry Animals to dedicate their 1996 single 'The Man Don't Give A F***' to Friday, featuring the image of his obscene gesture on the cover.
Footballer Robin Friday with Reading FC manager Charlie Hurley after signing a professional contract for the Fourth Division Clu
Footballer Robin Friday with Reading FC manager Charlie Hurley after signing a professional contract for the Fourth Division Club.Hurley had registered the amateur forward to play in the Football League on 23 January 1974 and gave him his first-team debut four days later. Following several eye catching performances he was offered a professional contract by the club (Image: Reading Post)
Despite this, Friday's tenure at Cardiff was characterised by more downs than ups, as his behaviour became increasingly erratic. Former teammate Paul Went recollected: "He wouldn't even bother to have a shower. He'd just get dressed, take his carrier-bag with his dry Martini and he'd go – no explanation."
The footballer's career was rife with controversy, notably an event where his laughter at being hit on the head by a ball sparked an altercation that resulted in a teammate wearing a neck brace for a fortnight.
Following Cardiff's relegation to the Fourth Division and their 3-0 loss in the Welsh Cup final to Shrewsbury, they were subject to Friday's wrath first-hand when he caused a ruckus in their hotel, wildly tossing snooker balls about in his undergarments. The subsequent season's sole noteworthy incident involving him was his attack on Lawrenson.
By 1978, Friday had returned to Acton, residing at his parents' residence and taking up work as an asphalter.
His infamous on-field aggression was summed up in his own words: "On the pitch I hate all opponents. I don't give a damn about anyone. People think I'm mad, a lunatic. I am a winner."
After hanging up his boots, Friday entered into a third marriage and spent time behind bars for impersonating a police officer in a ploy to confiscate drugs.
Black and white photo of Robin Friday, centre, kicking a football while being challenged by two rival footballers either side of
Robin Friday, Cardiff City's controversial striker receives a yellow card during the game v Charlton Athletic. Friday fractured a cheekbone following the booking. January 1977 (Image: Daily Mirror)
Then came December 22, 1990, when he was discovered deceased in his flat at the young age of 38.
While cardiac arrest was cited as the cause, Paolo Hewitt and ex-Oasis bassist Paul McGuigan, co-authors of the 1997 biography 'The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw', posited in their book that it was "a suspected heroin overdose" that culminated in Friday's demise.
A decade has sped by since whispers of a biopic based on his life made rounds, with 'The Hunger Games' luminary, Sam Claflin, believed to tackle the role of Friday. Yet, the anticipated cinematic tribute has vanished into thin air.
To the faithful supporters of Reading and Cardiff, Friday stands as the ultimate cult figure; a maestro of football whose brilliance remained mostly unsung. His mastery with the ball has left an unforgettable imprint on those fortunate enough to witness his skill.
Reflecting on an infamous encounter with ex-Reading manager Maurice Evans, the enigmatic forward famously retorted: "I'm half your age and I've lived twice your life."
And on that front, there could be no quarrel.