When he started playing for us he was asked to play left back - he never looked comfortable but did score that flukey cross cum shot goal at Boothferry Park. The big change in his performances came at around the time of the 0-0 draw away at Donny's old ground when he was moved into the middle. He had a great game that night and just went from strength to strength.
I know when it was; Damo, if memory serves, was PT's first money buy (50k ?). As I recall it, from the start certain sections of our support, for whatever reasons (I suspect his lack of quality waving to the crowd), never took to PT, despite him at the time being our most successful manager ever. As plenty on here will recall, the famous ''dossier'' of a departed ex CI stalwart started soon after PT's arrival in '02. I thought at the time that Damo bore the brunt of his unpopularity when he was played out of position.
Not how I recall it. He was liked (except for Fenwick) as he made a barnstorming start and it was only much later and after 2 promotions when we became what many perceived as boring and lacking in ambition when it came to signings that people didnt like him. Damo was jeered from the start just cos a lot of people thought he was rubbish as, like you said, he played out of position. In those days certain players were criticised no matter what they did and others lauded no matter what they did. It wasnt what was done, it was who did it as many of our 'fans' faield to think for themsleves and became little more than noisy sheep. Thank God that doesnt happen now, eh.....?
In the above ^ we're in total accord - DD never gave less than his all no matter where he played and got stick, from some, the instant he misplaced a pass or missed a tackle, I remember the game you originally quoted, it was a terrible hammering he took; to make it worse I believe his family were over from Ireland.
Parkinson kept playing Damo on the wing, I think it was maybe a decision based on watching this YouTube clip.
please log in to view this image Damo was/is a game lad. But he was terrible with the ball at his feet and took a very long time to mature. No City player should ever be barracked but on the other hand people should not delude themselves or get excessively enthusiastic about the merits of some of our more modest players.
I'm not claiming that Damien would make it into our current team - he was a very good player upto Championship level and, although not an outstanding player with the ball at his feet, he was a very effective defender. He is currently holding his own in a defence that is performing very well and still comes up with the occasional goal/assist. Not great but certainly not terrible!
Lovely goal from a lovely lad. So pleased he's doing well in the Prem with Palace. We could use him now at LB. Thanks for the memories Damo.
'Quality waving' ??? Peter Taylor ran across the pitch to applaud the Kempton before his first game. Delaney was booed by idiots even at the KC when we first went there. 'Donkey Delaney' shouted the idiots who know nothing about football. When he came back with Palace this season some of the old heads in the East Stand ironically chanted 'Donkey Delaney' and the big fella laughed his head off, as did those chanting. One of our best ever signings.
I thought Delaney was good on the ball for a centre half I remember the Rochdale game because I think Price went off injured and we had used all our subs. Then with about 5 minutes Delaney scored that cracker. IIRC During the Celebration Ash picked up Delaney's shirt and hid under his and Delaney was left with no shirt.
