Far from being pleased to see the back of him, top division clubs
were clamouring for John Chiedozie's signature after Notts County's
relegation in 1983-84. The Nigerian international had terrorized
defences during three successful years at Meadow Lane and it was
Tottenham Hotspur who captured the flying winger for £375, 000 in August
1984.
Chiedozie quickly skipped into his stride, scoring one and making
another for Clive Allen, another new signing, in a 4-1 opening day win
over Everton. Despite an erratic final ball, Chiedozie always posed a
threat with his pace and trickery and was once described by Kenny
Dalglish as being 'as quick as a hare'. He also had a fearsome shot, the
most eye-catching example being a superb winner in a 1-0 success at
Aston Villa in September.
Though the goals dried up in the second half of the season, John
started the next campaign in a similarly positive vein. He scored five
in seven games from September through to mid-October, three of them
coming in the consecutive hammerings of Newcastle United and Chelsea at
White Hart Lane. Although his opportunities were restricted by injuries
and the arrivals of Paul Allen and Chris Waddle, Chiedozie continued to
contribute valuable goals in the new year, including a crucial late
equaliser at Oxford United in the FA Cup 3rd round and the opener in a
5-0 replay win over former club County in the 4th round.
John had been unlucky with injuries throughout his career - a broken
leg ruling him out of Leyton Orient's run to the 1978 FA Cup semi-final
when he was a youngster - but the worst was still to come. His goal in a
2-0 win over Birmingham City on 16 April 1986 would prove to be his
last not only as a Spurs player, but as a professional. A persistent
back problem kept him out of contention for 18 months and after a
solitary appearance in 1986-87, John missed the entire 1987-88 campaign.
Not considered to be the same player, he was released on a free
transfer to Derby County in August. Chiedozie managed only two
appearances and following further brief stints back at Notts County and
then Chesterfield, John ended his career at non-League Bashley. In a
career that was as bright as it was brief, injuries had caught up with a
man who very few defenders could catch. (Alex Voskou).
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