Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
‘Fash’ will always be iconic in Airdrie
MARK PIRIE
He wore the diamond just 21 times in 1993 during a season that ended in relegation – so why do Airdrie fans still sing Justin Fashanu’s name?
As England’s first and only openly gay professional footballer and the first black star to command a £1million transfer fee, Fashanu is undoubtedly a legend of the game.
Today he will be inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame on what would have been his 59th birthday and his impact on Lanarkshire is still felt today.
It was more than just a big-name striker brought in a last-ditch bid to keep Alex MacDonald’s side in the Scottish top flight for Colin Telford.
Colin was just eight years old when ‘ Fash’ made the unlikely move to Monklands to join the ‘Beastie Boys’ side. The diehard Diamond says he was “an icon to the fans.”
“I couldn’t believe it when he signed for the club,” says the host of the Airdrie podcast ‘Only The Lonely’.
“He was a player who had been at the top level and had scored that famous goal for Norwich against Liverpool; a goal that their fans remembered recently. He was the first £ 1million black player – a really big name.
“Somehow he had ended up in Airdrie at the old Broomfield as the club tried to stay up - which ultimately failed.
“You don’t look at his goal record in a team that went down as a legend, but he was a cult hero for sure.
“It’s not a bad record for a team struggling in the top flight, but it was him that the fans loved.
“The fans still chant his name, there are still banners at the club to remember him.
“He made the headlines when he bravely became the only homosexual player and ended up at this unfashionable club outside of Airdrie.
“He was a big, imposing striker who was a massive name when he came to Airdrie.
“Since the Hall of Fame announcement the club shared a picture of Fash running away celebrating after a goal and Owen Coyle is beside him; Coyle looks like he was nine stone soaking wet and Fash looks like Cristiano Ronaldo or something with his leap.
“He looked like footballers do now back then; before his time.” Te l f o rd fondly remembers watching from the stands as he made his way into Airdrie folklore with stories of the former Norwich, Nottingham Forest and Hearts favourite ringing around ML6 to this day – including a famous tussle with two Aberdeen legends.
“There was just things he did that people loved him for,” he continued. “There are some great stories of Fash that you still hear.
“When he played once against Aberdeen he first took a hard tackle from Willie Miller. He got up; then he took a hard kick from Alex McLeish.
“He goes over to manager at the time Alex MacDonald who wants to take him off; he asks for more time and batters into McLeish and Miller then is taken off!”
He went on: “I’m not sure if it’s something that would be allowed now; but he used to stand almost on the touchline when the other team would take a throw-in.
“You would have to throw the ball over all six foot of him; I’m not sure I ever saw it work for him though or for him to block anything!”
Telford added: “He seemed to relish playing on the narrow park at the old Broomfield.
“At the time Airdrie used to have a collar on their kit. Eric Cantona at the time used to pop his collar, and Fash had his own thing where he would either tuck it in or rip it off.
“He made sure he stood out on the pitch.”
The songs of Fashanu still ring out today and were audible during their Scottish Cup clash with one of the striker’s former clubs Hearts this season.
Telford said: “The chant still happens today, but I remember when it first started Fash was laughing about.”