Kevin Austin
Austin had it all. Signed from Leyton Orient after a fan whip round, the left-sided defender was big and uncompromising. He was an enforcer in John Beck’s team, but boy, could he play. He was good on the ball, great in the air, and could play left back and left centre back. He had thighs like tree trunks, but the speed to catch many wingers.
It seemed only a matter of time before someone bought him, and he was linked with moves away. He was heavily rumoured to be going to Bristol City, only for the deal to fall apart. Instead of a big fee, he moved on a Bosman ruling at the end of the 1998/99 season, heading to Barnsley.
Just a month or two later, we pulled Barnsley out of the hat in the Worthington Cup, and in the second leg he ruptured his ACL, ruling him out for the season. He returned, briefly, but was then injured while playing for Trinidad and Tobago, aggravating his ACL.
He did get a solid lower league career on his return, playing for Bristol Rovers, Swansea, Chesterfield and Boston, but there is no doubt in my mind when he left City, he was top end Championship quality, and his injury robbed him of a little pace and strength which was his hallmark.
I missed the Tony James days because I was working abroad, which from a supporters view point is disappointing. As for the rest I’m glad I’ve been a part of.