What clubs haven't been in for Craig Bellamy? A Premier League nomad, he has been up and down the UK, playing for what seems like a plethora of clubs, causing headaches, fury and delirium aplenty. So, it's no surprise that the man who coached him at both national level with Wales and at club level with Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City threw his hat into the ring four years ago, in a bid to coax him to Craven Cottage.
''Yes, I'd be interested in signing Craig. He's one of the top players in the Premier League. If he comes on the market, and if we're in the position where we can conclude a deal for Craig Bellamy, then yes we would be very interested. It seems that Manchester City won't be using Craig at Premier League level, so from his point of view it is very important that he makes the right decision for his career. A wrong decision at this point could hurt him, so I wish him well in what decision he takes.'' - Mark Hughes, August 2010.
It's not as if Bellamy was short for suitors, however, so how close were Fulham to winning the race for his signature really? Harry Redknapp was certainly vying for his signature, as were Celtic and Sunderland, but in the end it proved to be Bellamy's heart which won out, dropping down a division to sign for his boyhood club Cardiff City and lead a promotion charge.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
