A very ‘Happy Birthday’ for today to our member John Hartson who lifted the second half of the Sky Blues 2000-01 relegation season on a pay-for-play deal by scoring six goals in his dozen games. Born in Swansea on 5th April 1975, John is 50 today!
A Wales International striker (52 caps-15 goals), John has built a media career since retiring and we trust is now is finally fully recovered from a serious cancer scare a while back. Starting with Luton Town in 1972, John built his reputation at both Arsenal and West Ham United before arriving for £7.5m at Wimbledon in January 1999. After more than 250 career appearances and 85 goals Sky Blues manager (and now fellow CCFPA member) Gordon Strachan brought John to Highfield Road but, in spite of six goals in his twelve appearances, John’s input could not prevent our relegation from the top flight.
Moving to Glasgow Celtic in 2001-02 the Welshman won Scottish Cup Winners Medals in 2003-04 and 2004-05 as well as Scottish Championship Medals in 2001-02, 2003-04 and 2005-06 and was a Scottish League Cup Winner in 2005-06. Before retiring in February 2008 John had spells at West Bromwich Albion (2006) and Norwich City (2007). John produced a career total of 203 goals in 497 games – an impressive goals per game tally.
Since retiring John has been a frequent commentator on various media outlets and is closely associated with the work of the John Hartson Foundation devoted to raising awareness about testicular cancer from (which he has suffered himself in the past).
