KEVIN FRANCIS – AN APPRECIATION

..

..

***********

..

..

It was an eventful four years – promotion, Wembley appearances, heartbreak, goals aplenty, contract disputes, a marvellous relationship with the fans and so much more that we can remember. But it’s all over now. We knew that the day would eventually come when he would leave EP, but the final confirmation was almost poignant as we saw him line up in the blue of Birmingham and make his League debut for them against us.

This afternoon at St. Andrews his performance reminded us of the few occasions we had witnessed at the Park when nothing would go right. But that kind of display isn’t how we will remember him and the ovation he received before and after the match bore more than adequate witness to the deep affection that all who pay their money to watch County have for the “Big Man”.

In one of the very first editions of TTP I wrote about the multitude of players who have worn the number 9 over the last 12 or 13 years. At that point Kevin had only been with us for a year or so and was only just beginning to recover from a stumbling start. Three years later there’s no doubt in my mind that a re-write of that article would have him at the top of the tree, (although I’ve got to say I’ve got more than fond memories of Mick Quinn).  Kevin gave us so much – thrilling performances, wholehearted effort and goals all combine to make a major contribution to the good times we have enjoyed.

That’s how I will remember him rather than for the circumstances and manner of his departure which at the end of the day was largely outside his control. We can argue the toss about the rights and wrongs of the fee, or selling him to a club in the same division.  But it’s happened, so I’d rather reflect on some personal memories. The statistics speak for themselves are more than adequately presented in the latest issue of IO County – what follows are a few recollections of Kevin the man and a player which I hope jog a few memories.

His first touch in a County shirt was at Sincil Bank, Lincoln, and led directly to a goal.  A long ball was played down the left wing for Kevin to chase having come on as a sub couple of minutes earlier. Just when it looked as though it would run out of play he slid his foot round it and from the dead ball line got in a cross which Chris Beaumont smashed into the net.

After that auspicious start his next few appearances led us to wonder what had possessed Bergara to sign him. His lack of control became almost legendary and the longer he went without a goal the worse it seemed to become. The first goal arrived in a re-arranged game against Northampton at EP. A long ball from Tony Barras saw Kev beat the offside trap and home in on goal. The clever money was on the ball ending up in the car-park and the Big Man in the crowd. However he managed to control it, take it round the keeper and deposit it in the net. I don’t know who was more relieved, Kevin or the crowd, as he ran to the fans of the Cheadle End.  From that moment there was no looking back!

Strangely enough of all the 116 goals he scored it’s the second which is Kevin’s own favourite, and came at the Racecourse, Wrexham. Those with the “Road to Promotion” video will be fully familiar with the way he picked the ball up somewhere around the centre circle and set off goalwards. Suddenly there was a left foot explosion all of 30 yards from goal, and the ball rocketed into the top corner to the delight of the travelling faithful behind the net. It contributed to a good away win and set us up nicely for the run in to promotion, the climax of which came with Kevin notching two of the five against Scunthorpe that memorable afternoon.

Out of all the goals he scored almost impossible to pick a favourite. They might have been knock-ins or the product of a classic piece of football but I particularly remember two because of the context. Not surprisingly they both came up Wembley. Firstly against Peterborough his header at the far post with just a couple of minutes to go looked like providing us with the chance of extra time which would have seen us go on to victory and successive promotions. It was so deserved at the time and yet so cruelly deflated 90 seconds later.  Ecstasy to agony. The goal against Vale I remember for different reasons  – we’d been outplayed in the first half, but the way the crowd lifted the players after the break was an experience I’ve never felt before and can’t foresee happening again. It seemed to change the whole course of game.  From the moment Duffield crossed the ball and Musselwhite came charging out there was only going to be one outcome.

The statistics will only remember his goals but I won’t forget his all round contribution. His wholehearted effort all the time together with the fact that even if things weren’t going well he never hid. He always wanted to be in the game and involved the crowd. The goal celebrations with Preecey and Toddy always enlivened proceedings and I always felt that he regarded himself as one of us. I suppose this is supported by the obvious desire he had to go to Birmingham –  he stood on the terraces watching them and knew what it was like as the ordinary supporter and while he was at EP the same approach came across. He always had time for the supporters.

He became somewhat of a media personality albeit initially only becausr Saint & Greavsie took the mick.  In all his dealings with the price he always gave an honest opinion, (and in the days leading up to the move a somewhat forcible one),  and conducted himself with integrity – witness the Crerand debacle for proof. In some ways, you could say, to use a hackneyed phrase as he wore his heart on his sleeve. The look on his face as the referee booked him in a game against Bournemouth shortly before the Vale play off matches and Autoglass final said it all. A ban was on the horizon just as success was looming –  he looked totally disconsolate and his emotion conveyed itself to the crowd as the game petered out to a draw in eerie silence.

Kev would be the first to admit he didn’t have amazing ball skills that many see as the prerequisite for a star player. But he played to his strengths and then some. Yet he improved immeasurably as an all round footballer during his time at the park and gives Bergara credit for this. I still believe, as I wrote at the time, that his performance against QPR is the finest individual display I have seen from a County player in my 31 years coming to EP. That afternoon he gave far more than 100%, displayed no little skill, and capped it with a goal that the nation saw that evening.

So what we’ve seen over the last four years is Kevin developing both as a man and a player. Those with the video “The Legend” already know this – for those who haven’t it’s well worth £16 as a record of a truly remarkable period.

All that remains to say is “thanks for the memories Big Man” – for the goals, the emotions, the honesty, and for a massive contribution to our enjoyment. All the best for the future!!

..

February 1995