Former Welsh international recalls playing with… steak in his boot
James Collins tells an unusual story in conversation with Peter Crouch
James Collins, a former Wales international who played for clubs including West Ham and Aston Villa , revealed an unusual story in conversation with Peter Crouch.
“I don’t know if you’ll believe this, but it happened. When I was at Aston Villa , I broke the instep of my foot. But he was one of those players who wanted to play all the time. Then he said he was fine. At the time, our doctor said, ‘Okay, you’re going to think I’m crazy, but we’re going to find a way to put a piece of steak on your foot to take the pressure off the bone.’ I played a Premier League game with a sirloin steak on my foot,” began the former player, now 41 years old.
“Of course I couldn’t be a whole fillet, I wouldn’t even be able to put on my boot. Honestly, playing with a piece of steak on the instep… it didn’t do anything. But at half-time I was almost cooked, with the way I was sweating,” he added.
