THE BUNG THAT CRIPPLED A CAREER
It was before Sheffield Wednesday’s top-flight match away at Ipswich Town when Tony Kay placed the bet that destroyed his career. The game was played on December 1, 1962. Kay, the red-haired captain of Wednesday, was 25 years old and the hottest property in English football. The Beatles’ debut single, Love Me Do, was 21st in the charts, Z-Cars was on the television and Alf Ramsey’s Tractor Boys were the reigning league champions.
Team-mate David ‘Bronco’ Layne approached Kay and asked, “What do you reckon today?” It would be a tough game and Kay said that he didn’t fancy Wednesday’s chances at Portman Road. So, Layne made him an offer: “Give me £50 and I’ll get you twice your money.” Kay thought that sounded like a good deal.
Fifty pounds in 1962 would be worth about £1,000 in 2020, and back then it was around a week’s wages for a top-tier football player.
Kay, a tough and clever wing-half or wide midfielder, took the opportunity to double his weekly pay packet. Layne also lured another team-mate, Peter Swan. There were a trio of Wednesday
