Paul Canoville

[Tilehurst Mike]

--for those oldies amongst you, there is an excellent article about him in today's Mail.

I remember his signing at the time--50k from Chelsea which was a real coup/bargain at the time. Tragically his career was cut short by injury, but he became a cult figure in the few games he played for Royals and I can remember him single handedly taking Palace apart in a 3-1 win culminating in a 25yard Martin Hicks thunderbolt. Anyone else recall this?

[Isaac Hunt]

Yes, he was fantastic in the few games he played for us. That Palace game was great - Ian Wright being sent off too IIRC.

There was something on here about Canoville not so long ago. Someone had read his book. I went out and bought it the next day and really enjoyed it.

Such a shame he got that serious injury, was playing so well for us at the time.

[Thaumagurist*]

Yes, I've read his book. Did you know that he has an account on FB?

[johnny5]

Guys do you know what his books called, wouldnt mind a read. Cheers

[Uke]

Here's the link
http://www.dailyfascisthitlerappeasingrag.co.uk/sport/football/article-1189328/REVEALED-The-shocking-revelations-Chelseas-black-player-Paul-Canoville.html

[Thaumagurist*]

Guys do you know what his books called, wouldnt mind a read. Cheers

Black and Blue.

BTW, does it seem strange that he has more affection for Chelsea, where the fans racially abused him, than Reading, where the fans didn't racially abuse him?

[rhroyal]

I read that article too. I was born in 88, but from what I've heard, the 1980s were an awful era for English football off the pitch.

[Hugo Boss]

11 children with 10 women??!!

[Thaumagurist*]

11 children with 10 women??!!

Yeah, what a man, eh? But ultimately stupid. The maintenance costs must be a fortune.

[Dirk Gently]

I read that article too. I was born in 88, but from what I've heard, the 1980s were an awful era for English football off the pitch.

Yep - racist abuse was normal behaviour, and the majority didn't stop to think that it was abuse - it was just the banter that you got at football matches (a bit like homophobic abuse is now, but that's a whole other issue).

But "seig heil" salutes and bananas thrown onto the pitch were common sights!

[Mad Dog's Ghost]

Book is a good read. His life story is a right roller coaster ride, mostly down.

If I recall, the chapter about Reading came across as some of the happiest, stable (relatively) times of his life.

[TBM]

Shouldn't this be in General Football?

[Terminal Boardom]

--for those oldies amongst you, there is an excellent article about him in today's Mail.

I remember his signing at the time--50k from Chelsea which was a real coup/bargain at the time. Tragically his career was cut short by injury, but he became a cult figure in the few games he played for Royals and I can remember him single handedly taking Palace apart in a 3-1 win culminating in a 25yard Martin Hicks thunderbolt. Anyone else recall this?

He was a class act. I remember that Palace mauling. I was there at Sunderland when Dave Swindlehurst smashed into him. It was horrible. I remember on the Royals holiday that summer being horrified by the state of PC's knee. Had more lines than a London Underground map. Simply gruesome.

[Radders]

11 children with 10 women??!!

So in at least one way, he was before his time.

[ZacNaloen]

I read that article too. I was born in 88, but from what I've heard, the 1980s were an awful era for English football off the pitch.

Yep - racist abuse was normal behaviour, and the majority didn't stop to think that it was abuse - it was just the banter that you got at football matches (a bit like homophobic abuse is now, but that's a whole other issue).

But "seig heil" salutes and bananas thrown onto the pitch were common sights!

You still get racist chanting, the targets are different that's all.

[Sun Tzu]

I read that article too. I was born in 88, but from what I've heard, the 1980s were an awful era for English football off the pitch.

Yep - racist abuse was normal behaviour, and the majority didn't stop to think that it was abuse - it was just the banter that you got at football matches (a bit like homophobic abuse is now, but that's a whole other issue).

But "seig heil" salutes and bananas thrown onto the pitch were common sights!

You still get racist chanting, the targets are different that's all.

It's extremely limited compared to what it was....

The Welsh / English stuff is hardly 'racist' , probably the only things I can recall in the last decade is the 'Gypo' taunts at anyone with slightly straggly hair.

[Ark Royal]

--for those oldies amongst you, there is an excellent article about him in today's Mail.

I remember his signing at the time--50k from Chelsea which was a real coup/bargain at the time. Tragically his career was cut short by injury, but he became a cult figure in the few games he played for Royals and I can remember him single handedly taking Palace apart in a 3-1 win culminating in a 25yard Martin Hicks thunderbolt. Anyone else recall this?

He was a class act. I remember that Palace mauling. I was there at Sunderland when Dave Swindlehurst smashed into him. It was horrible. I remember on the Royals holiday that summer being horrified by the state of PC's knee. Had more lines than a London Underground map. Simply gruesome.

Agreed. The scar was just huge. Real shame because he was a class act. He ripped Blackburn a new arsehole at EP at the start of that season. Nice bloke as well and had time for everyone.

[Muskrat]

--for those oldies amongst you, there is an excellent article about him in today's Mail.

I remember his signing at the time--50k from Chelsea which was a real coup/bargain at the time. Tragically his career was cut short by injury, but he became a cult figure in the few games he played for Royals and I can remember him single handedly taking Palace apart in a 3-1 win culminating in a 25yard Martin Hicks thunderbolt. Anyone else recall this?

Yep. Was there as well it was as you descibe.

[Uke]

--for those oldies amongst you, there is an excellent article about him in today's Mail.

I remember his signing at the time--50k from Chelsea which was a real coup/bargain at the time. Tragically his career was cut short by injury, but he became a cult figure in the few games he played for Royals and I can remember him single handedly taking Palace apart in a 3-1 win culminating in a 25yard Martin Hicks thunderbolt. Anyone else recall this?

Yep. Was there as well it was as you descibe.

I was there

I was also there when Hicks went up to lift the Simod Cup