'We want Andy Legg walking around the pitch'

Last updated : 04 May 2005 By Michael Morris
Andy Legg, only a couple of weeks after cancer surgery, was doing radio commentary at Gillingham last Saturday and received a huge ovation from the City supporters in the Brian Moore Stand.

Several calls for Andy to so the Ayatollah were answered and there was considerable chanting from the City fans to the newly retired player who has to face an anxious wait for more tests on possible further cancer problems.

"I can't put into words how I felt when the Cardiff fans starting chanting my name. It brought tears to my eyes. I felt like a baby," Legg told the Western Mail.

"I left Cardiff two years ago so for the fans to sing my name the way they did was absolutely unbelievable. What happened at Gillingham took me back, to be honest. As I said, I just can't describe how I felt."

Legg is now in the running for the managers job at Peterborough. Lennie Lawrence said of his credentials

"Andy has what it takes to be successful in coaching or management. Most important of all perhaps is that he is passionate about football.

"That has always been evident in the way he has played the game and it will be the same in management too. But not only that, Andy knows the game inside out."

Legg's immediate thoughts are to beat his illness.

"Since the news of my illness broke, the Cardiff fans have been fantastic and I can't thank them enough," he continued.

"They have been sending me their best wishes and I've even had e-mails from Cardiff fans in Australia which is unbelievable.

"My wife, Lucy, and daughter, Alicia, are great reasons for me to beat cancer - but the Cardiff fans are another reason I want to beat it. They have been like family to me.

"I expected something off them on Saturday because I know what they're like, but I didn't expect what happened. They were shouting for me to 'do the ayatollah' and calling for me to walk round the pitch. It makes you feel special to hear all that.

"I've played for some good clubs in my career - Birmingham, Ipswich on loan, Notts County - but for me the Cardiff fans are second to none."