BRIGHT LIGHTS AND WHITE TIGHTS

I told you yesterday United v United had history, but you probably knew that. Today, there were more remarkable events from this trans Pennine "derby"to add to the collection, Also, Leicester beat Spurs this afternoon, SO to show you that I don't have any hard feelings, remember Keith Weller? Do you know about the reference to "white tights"? January 1979 FA Cup 3rd Rd 3-0 home v Norwich City, a chilly day but 19,000 or more turned up. Weller in tights scored, quietening the crowd.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK7VVqWEA_Y check out Norwich goalie's tracky bottoms.

Well..er.....on December 20th 1974, he decided at half time during a match playing for Leicester City v Ipswich, that he would have a bath. He was an England international and wanted a transfer to a "bigger" club. Leicester had lost their previous seven matches and the City crowd was getting on his back and he was falling out with his team mates. He had stuff on his mind, so he refused to return to the pitch, basically Keith went on strike. It cost him a club fine and he was put on the transfer list. Later he was forgiven by the club and he forgave the club, staying at Filbert Street for another few years. Long enough to wear white tights.

Born in Islington in 1946, in 1964 he started his career at Arsenal but was snapped up by Spurs and he played 21 games with 1 goal. Then Millwall came calling until 1970 (121 apps/40 goals).

Chelsea next 1970-1 with a UEFA Cup Winners Cup win (38/14), then Leicester 1971-9 262 apps/37 goals after of course, because it was what retiring players did at that time, off he went to the USA, playing from 1979 until 1984 and then management, including Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Dallas, Santiago etc etc until it got too chilly outdoors and he went indoors looking after the Tacoma Stars and Sacramento Knights through to 1997. 

In retirement, Keith ran a coffee shop and served as a news station broadcast van driver; he died in November 2004 aged 58, from cancer, despite having special treatment in the US paid for by his former English clubs. It is never too late for a Christmas present, so here is his book.