Never the most technically adept striker, John Fashanu tended to make up for any shortcomings in finesse by what’s known in the trade as ‘putting it about a bit’.
A deeply cerebral and spiritual man, Fashanu sought to intellectualise his lumpen style by kidding himself that his violently-chucked elbows were a staunch element of his profound martial arts expertise.
Make no mistake, here was a man who could defend himself.
Here he is at some point in the mid 1990s, discussing his black belt prowess in detail…
What a plum. The man truly is a parody of himself.
We suggest you ask Gary Mabbutt if Fash truly was a zen-like master Judokan out there on the pitch.
Awooga, indeed.