| Synopsis: |
Known as 'Smokin Joe', Cyrille Regis spent seven wonderful years with West Bromwich Albion. A huge favourite with the Baggies' fans from the day of his debut when he scored twice in a 4-0 home League Cup victory over Rotherham United in August 1977, he found the back of the net on a regular basis, scoring some quite spectacular and breathtaking goals in a total of 112 in 302 senior appearances for Albion. Strong, muscular and aggressive, he had a terrific shot, his heading ability was top-class and he could leave opponents standing with his devastating speed over 25 to 30 yards. A snip of a signing from non-League Hayes by Albion manager Ronnie Allen, he went on to win England recognition at full, 'B' and U21 levels, was voted PFA 'Young Footballer of the Year' in 1979 and took the runner's-up prize behind 'Footballer of the Year' Steve Perryman in 1982. Three years after leaving The Hawthorns, Regis helped Coventry win the FA Cup in 1987. He scored over times 50 times for the Sky Blues, and after that was on target for Aston Villa, Wolves, Wycombe Wanderers and Chester City.Also in 1987, Regis was voted The Evening Mail's 'Footballer of the Year' and was chosen as the Midlands Soccer Writer's 'Player of the Year'. In May 1996, aged 37 years and 86 days, Regis became the oldest player ever to turn out in a League game for Wycombe and during his career, he netted over 200 goals in more than 700 club games. He returned to The Hawthorns as Albion coach (1997-2000). In 2008, he was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours' List. |