June 2000, the FA Cup Final hangover is yet to lift at Villa Park. Julian "Judge Jools" Joachim hands in a transfer request following quickly in the wake of Ehiogu and Southgate.
The below is an unconfirmed transcript of the conversation with his club manager, John Charles Gregory:
"You're takin' the piss, ain't ya? Julian? You're at the biggest club you'll ever play for!"
"Yeah, gaffer, I could say the same about you."
"But I'm not handing in my notice, am I?"
"You won't have to, if you keep setting us up to play like you did at Wembley".
"Get the fcuk out of my office."
There was a slight easing of conflict during a tough summer for Aston Villa. Two of the three unhappy players were denied moves although many supporters were more concerned about the dismantling of the magnificent Trinity Road stand. Near the start of the following season Joachim came on as a sub, scored and was later replaced in a 4-1 home win against Derby. Many felt John Gregory was trying to show who was boss but in fairness to him, he was merely putting in place a statistic that would not be matched by a Villa player for 21 years (to the month) by one Leon Bailey. Julian got a move in the end (not before an unlikey/unaware cameo appearance in
Hannibal) but he had to wait 12 months and was probably not what he had envisaged, literally being sent to Coventry as a makeweight which saw flavour of the month Moustapha Hadji come the other way.
*The End*
OptaJoe
@OptaJoe
2 - Leon Bailey is only the second Aston Villa player to come as a substitute, score, and then be substituted in a
@premierleague match, after Julian Joachim against Derby in September 2000. Cameo.