Robin Friday

[Hemenbruff Royal]

Mentioned often around these boards, and by the looks rightly so. A legend at Reading.

Being one who is more young than old, I wasn't lucky enough to see him in action or know how he played. Just wondering, what did actually make THE Robin Friday so special? Is he comparable to the current Reading forwards? How?

He was simply amazing! Always with socks down by his ankles and his notable long straight hair, you never know what magic he would conjure up next. Particularly remember a stunning volley in a 5-0 demolition of Stockport! When I moved to Ealing in '86 I discovered a tree planted in Walpole Park in his memory by his sisters. For me he will always be my favourite Reading player!

Tell us about this game. Most of the rest of remember the stunning volley he got in 5-0 demolition of Tranmere.

[MadStadLad]

[quote="AthleticoSpizz"]and at the time....I rated John "Minty" Murray as the highest form of footballer.

He scored more goals.


Never forget, when the crowd were getting on John 'Minty' Murrays back, some wise crack yelled 'Hey you lot, NEVER HURRY A MURRAY!' (that being the catchphrase for the Murray mint ad a the time - OK... well... it was funny at the time!!!)

[MadStadLad]

Mentioned often around these boards, and by the looks rightly so. A legend at Reading.

Being one who is more young than old, I wasn't lucky enough to see him in action or know how he played. Just wondering, what did actually make THE Robin Friday so special? Is he comparable to the current Reading forwards? How?

He was simply amazing! Always with socks down by his ankles and his notable long straight hair, you never know what magic he would conjure up next. Particularly remember a stunning volley in a 5-0 demolition of Stockport! When I moved to Ealing in '86 I discovered a tree planted in Walpole Park in his memory by his sisters. For me he will always be my favourite Reading player!

Tell us about this game. Most of the rest of remember the stunning volley he got in 5-0 demolition of Tranmere.

I know he scored the fifth goal and it was a 35 yd volley. You know I'm starting to doubt my memory...was it against Tranmere then!? Maybe not Stockport! Was it a night game?

[AthleticoSpizz]

and at the time....I rated John "Minty" Murray as the highest form of footballer.

He scored more goals.


Never forget, when the crowd were getting on John 'Minty' Murrays back, some wise crack yelled 'Hey you lot, NEVER HURRY A MURRAY!' (that being the catchphrase for the Murray mint ad a the time - OK... well... it was funny at the time!!!)

yes, but we had "a bloomin' bigger biscuit, a bigger bloomin' biscuit.....................


courtesy of Huntley and Palmers (Jacobs) Club

[Muskrat]

Can somebody please explain to me how that Super Furry's is supposed to be about Robin Friday?

the chorus line

and the cover of the single

No, I'm sorry but I don't buy it. Yes, he is on the front cover of the single, and as the Super Furry's are from South Wales, they know of Robin Friday's reputation but the chorus line is they don't give a f**k. It's a political song as anybody who has listened to it will know. It's not actually about Friday at all.

Another urban myth exploded.

[AthleticoSpizz]

maybe


so tell the real story then...........

[Muskrat]

Young angry men blaming politicians for the ills of the world. Not exactly ground beaking music material.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Young angry men blaming politicians for the ills of the world. Not exactly ground beaking music material.

and

[knights_1990]

Murts is a bigger ledge!!!!!!!

[Royal Rother]

Coincidentally, the single cover is also one of my all time favourites. It features footballer Robin Friday. The inside notes read: “This record is dedicated to the memory of Robin Friday, 1952 to 1990, and his stand against the ‘Man’.â€

[Muskrat]

So there you are then, not about Friday at all. Dedicated to his memory, but not actually about him.

Arthangyou and goodnight...

[AthleticoSpizz]

So there you are then, not about Friday at all. Dedicated to his memory, but not actually about him.

Arthangyou and goodnight...

nice to have a 1970's bloke who drank at the Spread Eagle before most games, having a song that has nothing to do about him not sung about him tho'

Guten Nacht

[Gordons Cumming]

Without doubt the greatest player to wear a Reading shirt.

For all who have never seen him play........................trust me.

[handbags_harris]

Murts is a bigger ledge!!!!!!!

Murts has had more exposure than Friday. Speak to the people who saw Friday play. IMO those people who saw Friday play hold the man in much higher esteem than Murts.

Seen that video a couple of times. Even in the shot of Friday taking the ball, turning and playing a pass with the outside of his foot, you can see in those 4 or 5 seconds the man oozed class on a football pitch. I would give anything to have been able to watch him play, if only so I can give my own judgement on the man.

[AthleticoSpizz]

I watched Sir Robin in dozens of games.

My biggest regret is not realising just what I was watching.


Yes, I have memories.........if I was there when he scored THAT goal, then to me at that time, it was just a goal

My lasting memory of him, was a goal scored, followed up with a rapid sending off in a cup game.

Socks down....4000 crowd......simple blue hooped shirts

Bovril and the old boy selling the Sports Post


Nothing compared to today nor next Friday

[Forbury Lion]

Has anyone mentioned his goal celebration which involved knocking a policeman's helmet off?

If one of the current team has the balls to do that they too can achieve iconic status!

[higher]

Bring back policemen with helmets lining the pitch I say. Gone are the days when streakers are rugby tackled by a red faced bobby and escorted away Helmet shielding offending organs.
Now we have to put up with orange coat mercenaries flaffing about wondering whose going to do what.Its just not the same.
Coppell out.

[RoyalBlue]

Has anyone mentioned his goal celebration which involved knocking a policeman's helmet off?

If one of the current team has the balls to do that they too can achieve iconic status!

I don't believe he knocked his helmet off. IIRC after scoring he ran up to a policeman stood on the track beside the goal and planted a kiss on his forehead. I'm sure there is a picture of that somewhere in a book about him/Reading and one of the local papers should have it in their archives as it was a headline story and feautured a quote from the aforementioned policeman who said he didn't mind at all as he was a Reading fan.

[ayjaydee]

I had the pleasure of seeing RF in the majority of his games for Reading and like most on here that have seen him would put him on any team sheet of best ever RFC players.
Not quite sure he was up to Besties level but would certainly put him above Stan Bowles, Rodney Marsh and Tony Currie in the natural flair stakes.

He scored twice in his first game as a full time pro (he was originally signed on amatuer forms) and I remember thinking at the time that this lad was a bit special.

It was strongly rumoured that Villa were going to splash £100,000 on him (SERIOUS money back then) until they ran a few "background" checks.

No question RF = GOD in footballing terms

[Fubar]

Without a doubt, the most exciting, charismatic player ever to grace an RFC shirt. I feel privileged to have witnessed most of his games for us. Would he get into today's team? No contest... He would be an automatic choice.