Bristol City Football Club

• Nickname:The Robins
• Founded:1894
• Manager:Sean O'Driscoll

• Ground:Ashton Gate
• Capacity:21479

James reveals drunken Bristol City decision

26 Oct 2010 - 09:33:50

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David James has stunned Bristol City after claiming he was drunk when he agreed to join the Championship club.

The veteran goalkeeper joined the Robins on a one-year contract in July following a conversation with former manager Steve Coppell.

Coppell lasted just weeks in the Ashton Gate hot-seat before reigning and now James has cast doubt on the wisdom of his own decision.

The 40-year-old keeper left Portsmouth on a free transfer but had been linked with a move to Celtic.

"I thought I would either stay with Portsmouth, move to a Premier League club or go to Scotland," James told the Daily Star.

"In between thinking about all that, there was my wedding to Amanda to organise.

"Somehow it all converged at a single point, the morning after my stag do.

"I received a phone call from an unknown number. I don't usually answer those, but I was still drunk and so I picked it up.

"Much to my astonishment the man on the other end was Steve Coppell. He said, 'All right Dave, I'm the Bristol City manager, and was wondering if you'd be interested in having a look at the club?'

"If it had been anyone else, I would not have considered it, but such was my respect for Steve that Bristol City became a serious contender."