Trinidadian international Dwight Yorke was a prolific goal-poacher for Aston Villa during the 90s, having bagged 97 goals in 231 appearances over a nine-year spell. Therefore, it was no surprise when Sir Alex Fergusons interest was peaked by his goalscoring exploits and even less of a shock when the Villains stated that he was going nowhere. Villa boss John Gregory was adamant that unless the Red Devils were prepared to offer the free-scoring Andy Cole in part-exchange, then Yorke was staying put - he hadnt prepared himself for the intervention of the Caribbean striker however.
''Dwight Yorke came to see me two weeks ago to tell me he wanted to play for Manchester United and not Aston Villa. If Id had a gun at the time I would have shot him. What he said really hurt. It really got to me. I had hoped he would change his mind. Yet in the last few days he made it very clear he wanted to go. - Aston Villa manager John Gregory, December 1998.
Yorke played against Everton at the beginning of the 98/99 season, but the performance was filled with such an apathy and lack of effort that his position at the club was therefore made untenable. The club were left with no option but to sell him to Man United for £12.6 million, destroying any semblance of a relationship Yorke may have enjoyed at Villa Park.
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.
