You Must Be Joachim

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/never-wanted-leave-leicester-city-6032677

 

‘Never wanted to leave’ - Leicester City favourite on fulfilling his Foxes dream, promotion and ‘greatest ever’ goal
The 47-year-old former Foxes star reflects on an often brilliant spell at his beloved club in his new autobiography, You Must Be Joachim

ByAndy Turner
08:00, 9 OCT 2021

In January 1993, Julian Joachim is widely held to have scored one of the greatest ever FA Cup goals during a third round tie against Barnsley at Oakwell.

The 18-year-old youth team graduate had been handed his Leicester City debut just months earlier and became an instant Foxes favourite.

Now, almost 30 years on, Joachim has penned his autobiography, You Must Be Joachim, in which he reflects on his eventful career that began at Filbert Street.

“All I ever wanted was to become a professional footballer and, when I joined the School of Excellence, run by Nev Hamilton, when I was just 12 years old, I knew I was one step closer," said the 47-year-old former striker.

“Six years later, I fulfilled my dream and I’ll never forget the feeling when I walked out of the tunnel at Filbert Street for my first team debut against Peterborough in October 1992.

“Every hair on my body was standing on end and I got an unbelievable buzz. I was used to sitting in the stands, cheering on the lads and suddenly, I was one of the lads and fans were cheering for me."

Over the next four years, the lightning-fast striker scored 31 goals for City, including the strike that sparked the comeback at Wembley in the 1993 play off final, and Leicester’s first ever Premier League goal in 1994.

But most City supporters still remember him for his FA Cup wonder goal against Barnsley.

“That goal is the best one of my career and fans still want to talk to me about it all these years later," he recalled.

“I remember picking up the ball in my own half with no one ahead of me so I just ran with it. When I was 25 yards out, I hit it with the outside of my right foot, which was something I used to do a lot in training, and the ball just flew into the top corner.

“That strike won the Goal of the Month award. We lost the tie on a penalty shootout, but no one remembers that, just my goal.”

During his spell at Leicester, Joachim earned international honours, leading the line for England Under 20s, Under 21s and he the star man when England won the 1993 European Under 18 Championships in 1993 – and he helped City finally win promotion to the Premier League a year later.

“Everything went so well for me, it really was a dream start to my football career,” recalls Joachim.

“To play in the Premier League for Leicester meant so much to me, but things stated to go wrong very quickly.

“First, our captain, Steve Walsh, was injured early in the season, then Brian Little – who had been like a father to me – left to join Aston Villa, and then to cap it all, I broke my foot and missed most of the season.

“By the time I was fit again, we had been relegated.”

Little’s successor, Mark McGhee, left in December 1995 and was replaced by Martin O’Neill who accepted an offer for Joachim from Brian Little’s Aston Villa in February 1996.

“I never wanted to leave Leicester,” says Joachim.

“I knew that they were on the cusp of something great, but Martin needed money to bring in his own players so I agreed to sign for Villa.

“It was a very emotional decision as City meant, and still do mean, so much to me.

“Not many people know this, but O’Neill tried to re-sign me a few years later, but Aston Villa rejected the offer. Had they accepted, I’m sure I’d have returned to Filbert Street.”

After leaving Leicester, Joachim went on to play in the 2000 FA Cup final for Aston Villa, before moving to Coventry City, Leeds United, Walsall, Boston United and Darlington.

You Must Be Joachim, published by Morgan Lawrence Publishing Services, is available to order now online at www.morganlawrence.co.uk and at all major book retailers.

 

[theadmans]

 

[purpleronnie]

I remember being at forest's ground for the Portsmouth play off game (weird feeling)...and thought we had a superstar on our hands.

 

 

[foxile5]

He was special. One of those players that got folk excited when he merely picked up the ball. 

[Guest Mickyblueeyes]

My first footballing hero. Everyone wanted to be JJ on the playground. Such a special talent. He really had the talent to play higher then he did. Before the Collymore and Heskey partnership, there was Heskey/Joachim - another “what if” for me. They very rarely played together despite being at the club together. I always thought they’d run riot.

[Guest Mickyblueeyes]

34 minutes ago, purpleronnie said:

I remember being at forest's ground for the Portsmouth play off game (weird feeling)...and thought we had a superstar on our hands.

 

 

The voice of that commentator! Big Match Live ITV Sunday afternoon. Brings back memories.

[MrsJohnMurphy]

For a moment I thought this was speculation if Rodgers leaves 

 

[Ric Flair]

What a player

[Webbo]

1 hour ago, purpleronnie said:

I remember being at forest's ground for the Portsmouth play off game (weird feeling)...and thought we had a superstar on our hands.

 

 

I remember the Portsmouth fans singing "Julia" to mock us, just moments before he scored.

[Sly]

Had potential to be so much much more. He was the player of the tournament at the 1993 U18 European Championships when England won it. Touted to be one of the best forwards England ever produced.

 

 

 

Edited 9 October 2021 by Sly

[ian__marshall]

When people talk about Joachim's best City goals, why does his goal against Millwall at home in '93 never get a mention? To this day it has to be one of the best solo goals I've ever seen live. 

[Wolfox]

Such a shame he faded so quickly…. I thought he was going to be a mega star and he simply didn’t get anywhere having the career loads of thought he was going to have 

 

 

[Gazza M]

I think often forgot he had a steady few years at Villa after he left us. I remember him going a whole 12 months without scoring for us and never thought he would hack it at Prem level. Brian Little did seem to get the best out of him. 

[deejdeej]

I only really started following football when he was on his decline at us around 95. Was it injuries that stalled his career?

[Wymsey]

Didn't he struggle with betting/gambling problems a few years ago?

[los dedos]

I remember getting off the train with a few hundred Leicester fans . After Birmingham Away and he was just standing there waiting for a train home ( Lincolnshire ?) .

Just weird seeing our top young prospect who only an hour or so beforehand had scored for us . 

Can't imagine seeing that now 🤣

[Pliskin]

1 minute ago, Wymsey said:

Didn't he struggle with betting/gambling problems a few years ago?

I believe so, struggles with a few things off the pitch. Such a shame, he was unplayable on his day. 

[los dedos]

 

[Guest Electric Yetis]

Joachim and Walsh was a dream strike partnership for a few months. Ran absolute riot.

[Lesterlad]

1 hour ago, Wymsey said:

Didn't he struggle with betting/gambling problems a few years ago?

Sadly yes he did  

[tom27111]

“I never wanted to leave Leicester,” says Joachim.

 

Could have fooled me, Julian. You jumped ship pretty sharpish.

[trabuch]

JJ gave me some very happy moments. (NOT IN THAT WAY!!!). That goal against Spurs was orgasmic though.

Edited 9 October 2021 by trabuch

[tom27111]

It's actually amazing to think of all the people in football that have made suicidal moves, mainly because them and their agent are visualising the money. 

 

Then when the player wants to sell a book 20 years later, they say "I wish I hadn't left"

 

Had they stayed at the club they were at, or made the right move, they wouldn't need to do a book that'll be in 'The Works' bargain bin in 6 months.

 

[Plastik Man]

1 hour ago, tom27111 said:

It's actually amazing to think of all the people in football that have made suicidal moves, mainly because them and their agent are visualising the money. 

 

Then when the player wants to sell a book 20 years later, they say "I wish I hadn't left"

 

Had they stayed at the club they were at, or made the right move, they wouldn't need to do a book that'll be in 'The Works' bargain bin in 6 months.

 

Is that true? I'd always assumed O'Neill sold him to free up cash to bring in Claridge? 

[baldeagle]

Funny how everyone  remembers things differently. At the time he was sold I remember lots of people saying he was massively in debt  with gambling and owed money to some pretty heavy characters so it was best for all parties to get out of Leicester. Obviously don’t know how true that was . I was also lucky enough to see him make his debut and can remember him coming on and everyone around asking who the **** is this guy . 5-10 mins later I hear the same people saying this guys rapid and give the ball to him