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Mervyn Day had a bright start to his career, and after only a short time
with West Ham, he was being spoken of as a racing certainty to be the next
great England keeper. He became the youngest keeper ever to appear in a
FA Cup Final in 1975, but a loss of form and injuries saw him drop out of
the side, and Phil Parkes' performances were good enough to keep Day
out when he regained fitness. A brief spell at Orient was followed by
a move to Villa where he acted as cover for Nigel Spink.
When Eddie Gray signed him in 1985, he proved to be an excellent
buy and was a key figure in Billy Bremner's side in the 1987 run to
the FA Cup semi-final and League play-offs. He remained first choice
keeper for Howard Wilkinson, and picked up a Division 2 winners medal
as promotion was finally achieved in 1990. With the re-signing of John
Lukic Day was relegated to the reserves and bench and only made 5 more
appearances for the first team. One of those I remember as being a
particularly excellent and heroic performance from him: it was the day
of the infamous "4 centre-backs" defensive formation, the venue was
Maine Road, and - but for Merv's heroics - the scoreline would have
been at least twice as bad as the 0-4 hammering it was.
He moved on to Carlisle as player-coach in 1993, and is currently
coaching at Charlton.
Jeff Walker says: I have been a fan since 1975 when I watched the
FA cup final and when he won the PFA young player of the year. Like to
get a signed photo.
Gary Holland says: As a boy Mervyn Day was my hero & the reason
I became a goalkeeper (against my family's wishes). What a legend he
was!!
Jon Penn says: He was not only an outstanding keeper in his day but
he is one of the nicest men in football. He is about the game not the
politics and i personally don't think he's ever got the respect he
should have as a player, manager and coach. Enough respect.
ads says: lives down the bottom of my road and im mates with his
son james....top bloke very down to earth and always very polite. VERY
passionate about his work. Aslo got me a singed van nisterlooy shirt
for my 18th...top bloke
Swerve it Like Merv! says: Merv is the reason I support West Ham.
I'm a Taffy and, if some a**hole bothers me in The Boleyn, I relate -
at great and boring length - why Mervyn made me a Hammer! Glad to
hear he seems like a nice bloke. I wouldn't want to shatter any
illusions.
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