Yahoo News Kyle McFadzean on the incredible Coventry City good-bye that he'll 'treasure' forever
Kyle McFadzean says his emotional farewell to Coventry City fans is something he’ll “treasure” for the rest of his life. The 37-year-old defender heard his name sung by the 4,300-strong Sky Blue Army before, during and after the goalless draw at Ewood Park at the weekend where the defender played for Blackburn Rovers against his beloved former club.
And the no-nonsense centre-half admitted that he had to hold back the tears on the final whistle when he went to the away end to say good-bye and was treated to the travelling supporters singing his name for several minutes.
“It was weird but it was nice as well,” he said, speaking to CoventryLive. “I could hear them singing before the game and I was thinking it was nice but that I needed to concentrate. But I was smiling to myself.”
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The City fans even sang his name during the game at once stage in the first half.
“That was quite weird to be honest and I have never experienced that before when old players have come up against their former club but it was nice, really good. It shows what they think of me and I appreciate that.”
As for the incredible scenes at the end, he added: “I’ll treasure that for the rest of my life, 100 percent. It was lovely because my Mrs and kids were there to see it, and my mother-in-law as well, so it was really good. It was a lovely touch and I can’t thank them enough because they have been unbelievable to me from day one.
“It was quite emotional and I reckon if I had stayed any longer I would have ended up crying my eyes out, which I didn’t really want to do in front of everyone.
“I wanted to go across at the end and see them all and result-wise, it worked out perfectly being a draw. Obviously we needed a win but in the end it worked out perfectly for me to be able to say good-bye because if we’d have lost it would have been hard to go over with the situation we’re in.”
Rovers are still not safe and go to Leicester City this weekend, knowing they can’t afford to lose in their quest to avoid relegation.
McFadzean revealed that he collected a few of his former teammates’ shirts as well on the day, saying: “I got Matty Godden’s shirt and a few others, but I have been with Godders from day one and he’s a good mate of mine. I don’t really collect many shirts but I like to keep my mates’ shirts and so I am sure I will get them framed and hang them up at home eventually.”
Fadz also revealed that he had planned to go to Wembley last week for the FA Cup semi-final to cheer on his former teammates against Manchester United until Blackburn’s game against Sheffield Wednesday was switched to the Sunday, and said that he would have gone to the Final had Victor Torp’s controversial VAR goal been given, even though it would have meant him flying back from a family holiday to go.
“I was planning on coming down for the semi but our game got changed to the Sunday and I ended up watching the game on my own, which I shouldn’t have done really,” said the player, who was an unused sub for the 3-1 defeat.
“But then I managed to get home for the last bit of extra-time and I was going mad in my living room when they scored. I planned to get a final ticket and then I realised I’m due to be on holiday so I would have had to get a plane back, so my Mrs wouldn’t have been happy!”
