Imre Varadi Interview: Geordie HeroTo Zero
| Imre Varadi Interview: Geordie HeroTo Zero |
 Features 6 
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He was once the proud striker wearing the coveted Newcastle number 9 jersey, but now IMRE VARADI survives on a pittance of a pension as he battles a host of personal problems. Football365 meets a former talk of the Toon now struggling to make ends meet.
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They paid for the best wardrobe I ever had, says Varadi with a chuckle. But one incident, in particular, is etched on his memory from his days at St James' Park - the day he laid out manager Arthur Cox. Cox had told Keegan he thought Varadi, a Barnardo's boy who had toyed with boxing as a teenager, needed toughening up if he was to become the archetypal Newcastle number nine in the mould of Milburn and Macdonald. So in the next five-a-side practice match, Cox trapped Varadi in a corner of the gym and was hustling and hacking at him from behind. I couldn't see who it was, recalls Varadi. But suddenly I'd just had enough and I turned round and took a swing at the guy. I knocked him flat out and I was absolutely horrified when I saw it was Arthur. Cox lay unconscious for a full 30 seconds before coming round and as the players helped him to his feet he flashed a look at Keegan. ‘I think you've done the trick,' he croaked. You've toughened him up all right. But while Varadi picked up a clutch of awards for his spectacular goal-scoring, he was always destined to fall short of true greatness. ''I was the sort of player who would always have a club and always score goals - but I never quite had what it takes to succeed at international level, he admits. I was never quite right up there with the cream, but I had a good innings and plenty of clubs. I took advantage of freedom of contract and only ever signed two-year deals. I always had confidence in my own ability. Varadi retired from playing three years ago, but has since been fighting a running battle with his ex-wife Jane, which culminated in his recent court case. It's a particularly acrimonious marital break-up, sprinkled with accusation and counter-accusation, which came to a head after the pair met a district judge last October to decide on maintenance payments for their daughters, Daniella, 10, and 12-year-old Georgina. The hearing was adjourned on a technicality and Varadi was convicted of assaulting Jane and spitting in her face on the way out of court. He denied the charge and is philosophical about the community service he begins this week. I'm not happy about it but I've got to do the service and I'm doing the same as Eric Cantona did - helping the local kids.'' Varadi will be taking an afternoon off on Saturday, however, to watch his former club hopefully lift the FA Cup for the first time since 1955. Arsenal are flying at the moment but it's going to be a very tight game, no more than one goal in it, he predicts. Both teams give nothing away, but Shearer could make the difference. I'm going for Newcastle. I had great times there, the people were fantastic and along with Sheffield Wednesday they are closest to my heart. And the day after the final Varadi will fulfil a soccer ambition he never managed in 18 years as a professional - playing at Wembley. He will turn out for the Johnny Quinn All-Stars, with the likes of former Liverpool captain Emlyn Hughes and Sheffield Wednesday's Mel Sterland, in the final of a veterans' tournament. Never playing at Wembley was one of the big regrets of my career, he says. I played in 10 FA Cup quarter-finals and two semi-finals but never quite made it to the twin towers. It's going to be a big thrill to walk out there on Sunday. No prizes for guessing which shirt he'll be wearing. Number nine of course. |
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