With Long returning to the KC this weekend, generally speaking former players returning to the KC receive a good reception as long as they haven't disrespected the fans. I can think of a few players that fans love to hate, for example Campbell and Cort but who would make it to your list of most welcome and most reviled?
Matt Wicks - the only player I have ever booed in person as he admitted to not trying. An absolute disgrace of a footballer. Thankfully the chances of him returning are slim.
Dean Marney. Didn't mind him when he played for us but that over the top angry celebration in front of the East Stand turned me against him. Pillock.
You lot do know that a large proportion of our fans gave Marney s**t from the moment his name was read out on the team sheet? Me and a few others made it known what he'd done for our club, but they just carried on hurling abuse every time he got the ball. Don't blame him at all for the celebration and still like him as a player. On topic. Most welcome would be Ricketts if he ever makes it back here and Myhill always gets a good reception when he plays for good reason. Most reviled was Bullard til he retired the brainless cretin.
Yep, I was in the middle of East Stand. From where I was sat there was a mixed reaction to him, certainly not many thousands against him. Most ridiculous over the top celebration from an ex-player I've ever seen.
I personally would prefer if players coming back to the KC did respectfully celebrated their goals, as long as they don't do a Marney or Campbell. This non celebration like Long against West Brom and Graham against Swansea actually annoys me more.
Long was neither hero or villain so not bothered. Delaney getting aplauded and Campbell abused from the same team was appropriate. Most awkward was Ashbee, and Phil Brown, with Preston, Ash deserved a heroes welcome, didn't get one but would have embarrassed him anyway. Love/Hate with Keith Edwards and Sheff Utd years ago.
Interestingly I know Phil Buckingham felt the same. At the time he said most of the City squad were top blokes but Marney was a t**t. Yeah fair point. It was really awkward when he ran down the tunnel at full-time. I swear I never saw him run that fast on the pitch before.
A few years back, some friends of mine bumped into Marney and Garcia having dinner with their partners in the Westwood restaurant, after they'd finished eating, they got Garcia to ring my lad up and he was brilliant, he chatted for quite a while about how much he was looking forward to the upcoming World Cup etc and my lad was made up. When he finished, he said 'would you like to speak to Dean Marney' and passed him the phone, my lad said 'Hi Dean, what are up to', he said 'I'm trying to have a meal'. Miserable sod.
Long should get a warm welcome even if he isn't a hero. He was good for us and didn't exactly force a move through. In fact I wonder if he regrets leaving now that it turns out he's pushed out to the wing at Southampton. I'd welcome most of our ex players, only those who took the piss like Cort, Campbell and Marney deserve booing.
