Reading FC: ‘The Legend of Robin Friday’ is the latest offering from lifelong Royals supporter and novelist Roger Titford
The Legend of Robin Friday, the latest book by lifelong Royals supporter and novelist Roger Titford, has arrived on
bookshops just in time for Christmas. Titford focusses on the reasons why Friday became so iconic following his tragic death in 1990 at the age of 38; in fact, Hollywood is considering making a film about the hellraiser’s colourful
yet tragic life.
The Reading Chronicle covers the signing of Robin Friday.
Reading supporters voted the enigmatic striker their ‘Player of the Millennium’ in a poll, while both Royals and
Cardiff City named him their ‘All-Time Cult Hero.’
They were the only two Football League clubs he represented after launching his professional career with Royals in
1974 under manager Charlie Hurley.
He scored 46 goals in 121 league games in the blue and white hoops and before moving to South Wales in 1976,
scoring six times in 21 games for the Bluebirds.
Robin Friday celebrates promotion with the Royals.
But because of his off-field antics, he soon left the professional game, and in 1990, he passed away in Acton from
what was believed to be a heart attack.
Because of his brief playing career and the rarity of cameras covering live matches, there are only a few minutes of
television footage of Friday in action that still exist today.
However, Friday’s life and death have become increasingly enmeshed in myth, which is where Titford comes in.
“The evolution of Robin Friday’s legend over the last 25 years is an intriguing and enigmatic topic,” Titford remarked.
“I made the decision to examine it closely and compile the greatest collection of images showing our cult star from the 1970s in action.”
The Reading Chronicle covers Robin Friday’s wedding in 1976.
The 66-page, glossy book includes some of Friday’s best photos, many of which are from the Reading Chronicle archives.
Among them are the iconic photos of Friday kissing a policeman after scoring at Elm Park and insulting a Luton
Town goalie with two fingers while playing for Cardiff City. The latter is featured on the front cover of a single by the
Welsh band Super Fury Animals titled “The Man Don’t Give A F***.”
Oasis bassist Paul McGuigan and Paulo Hewitt co-wrote the well-known book “The Greatest Player You Never Saw,”
which also features a depiction of his life.
On Monday, starting at 6.30 p.m., Titford will sign autographs at the Madejski Stadium Megastore prior to the
Championship match between his former teams, Reading and Cardiff City.
Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/
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