David James: Striker tells the story of the incredible moment the goalkeeper was sent up front against Middlesbrough on the final day of the 2004/05 Premier League season, which happened on this day 19 years ago.
Both teams were competing for the final UEFA Cup spot, with City needing a win to leapfrog the Teesside outfit into seventh place.
With six minutes remaining the score was locked at 1-1 after Kiki Musampa cancelled out a thunderbolt of a free-kick from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, with the draw enough to bring European football back to Boro.
Chasing that elusive second goal, then City manager Stuart Pearce elected to replace Claudio Reyna with substitute ‘keeper Nicky Weaver and send James up front, despite having striker Jon Macken to call on from the bench.
It produced a frantic finale, in which Robbie Fowler missed a penalty which would have sent City into Europe and remains one of the most unusual and bizarre moments in the Club’s history.
In the feature we hear James’ take on his brief career as a striker, learn how the audacious plan was hatched and gauge the reaction of those involved, including Weaver and former kitman Les ‘Chappy’ Chapman.
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