Friends Reunited

Old acquaintances will be renewed at the Vetch on Saturday when a ‘top class midfielder’ returns to town looking to overthrow his former side. You would assume that I am talking about Jan Molby but I am not – Richie Appleby is the man. Apparantely.

Former Swans manager and current Harriers boss Jan Molby has claimed that Richie Appleby can only get ‘stronger, quicker and better’ as he continues yet another comeback from injury. Legend has it here in Swansea that Appleby was sent for endless tests by Richie Evans during his time at the Vetch as no-one could figure out what was wrong with him. The answer came back (allegedly) that it was nothing and that Richie was indeed imagining it. It has been said that “Richie has had every illness except hypochondria” – quite apt don’t you think.

Don’t get me wrong, Richie Appleby was a talent. I remember the night at the Vetch when he ripped Millwall apart in the FA Cup and I also remember that he never played well ever again for the Swans. All too often his name was sung for him to appear from the subs bench and when he did the team got worse from then on in. Appleby was quite simply a wasted talent.

But after injured spells at Kidderminster and Hull (for the best part of two years at the KC) Appleby is on the latest comeback trail and as the man Molby explained to the Express and Star “And if he remains fit, then we have the best midfielder at this level. I know we always say this when he gets fit, because in the past whenever he’s got somewhere he’s got injured.

“The last time it happened was over two years ago here when he had a great spell. Then he went to Hull and got injured almost straight away.

“It was good for him to get 90 minutes; he did some nice things and he’s got quality.

“The only way of getting him that last bit of fitness and pace to get away from people is to play.”

Which I think is Molby stating the obvious. Sadly it is impossible to see a man stay fit – especially one who has made just 126 starts in professional football over a career spanning 10 years and I suspect that Molby knows that hence why Richie is on non contract terms at Aggborough. 29 starts in the last 5 seasons alone tells it’s own story for a man who attracts injuries on a more regular basis then Steve Jones used to.

What reception Richie gets on Saturday is hard to predict – I suspect it will be a mixed one. There were the high points but they were blotted by the low times and the legend that was repeated above.

Of course, also coming back to the Vetch on the weekend alongw ith Richie and Jan will be Lee Jenkins and Stuart Roberts. Jenks was released last December by Brian Flynn, a move questioned by many whilst Roberts was released at the end of last season after failing to prove his worth for a new contract. Roberts is almost assured of a warm welcome being a Jack himself and Jenks in fairness should get one as well.

Although the welcomes will be forgotten come 3pm when all that matters is a Swansea win. Friends they might be but for 90 minutes on Saturday they are the enemy.

Enjoy the last trip to the Vetch gents, we aim to make it pointless!