The renaissance of Cadamarteri

From the archive, first published Tuesday 9th Jan 2007.

Danny Cadamarteri knew he had hit rock bottom when he was turfed off a school playing field.

The caretaker wasn't impressed at the sight of him having a kick-about with a few pals on private property.

But it showed how desperate Cadamarteri was to get a ball at his feet again.

That was the lowest point of the summer - a time when he was banned from playing the game after failing a pre-match drugs test with City.

Ephedrine was discovered in a urine sample before the home game with Oldham in March and he was

suspended by the Football Association. The striker also left Valley Parade by mutual consent - and was consigned to serving his "sentence" from home.

"For two of three weeks I couldn't get my head round it," he admitted.

"That was the worst time as it sunk in that I couldn't play football.

"I didn't do anywhere near the amount of fitness work I should and with what happened at Bradford, I did start to wonder if I still needed to keep going.

"It took time to work things out mentally and I was tempted to just let myself go and disappear on a big jolly-up or something. That would have been the slippery slope.

"I was just moping around the house but my girlfriend and little boy gave me that kick up the

backside not to let things slide. And when I started having a kick-around with my mates again, I realised how much I still loved to play and I couldn't let that go.

"At that point I began to tune in again and decided that I had to be in the right shape so that I could come back when the chance came. I could see a light at the end of the tunnel and that helped me focus."

Cadamarteri's rehabilitation was complete on Saturday when he came off the bench for Leicester and scored a dramatic FA Cup equaliser against Premiership club Fulham. A player well used to fresh starts was once again off and running.

Cadamarteri puts his ban down to "negligence" and his own ignorance to what ingredients players are

permitted to take in remedies and fitness supplements.

He said: "Of course I wish I could turn the clock back - but to when I was a lot younger. I wish I knew then what I know now about what you can and can't use.

"People think I'm making up

excuses but I don't think there is enough education for younger

players. I've never noticed anybody from the Professional Footballers' Association or the FA come into clubs to talk to them about taking stuff that could be on the banned list.

"I should have known better because of my age but there are a lot of younger players who could fall

victim like me because they are

simply not told what is all right and what's not.

"As an older player I've been

punished quite severely as an

example but I was still given the minimum sentence.

"I could have got up to two years but I think the FA recognised I wasn't trying to cheat."

Cadamarteri got himself back into condition by running the streets of Cleckheaton and cycling up to 30 miles a day. With the season in full swing once his punishment had been lifted, he had to be in the best shape to find himself a club.

"I was in a unique position as I could sign for anybody straight away because I had my own

registration. But I wouldn't have a pre-season so I had to be ready to play from the start.

"But after having a few daft thoughts about giving up, I was totally tuned in to football again. It was only when it was gone that I realised how much I loved the game."

Cadamarteri got his break with Conference club Grays. Andy King, their manager at the time, knew him from Everton and asked if he fancied "doing us a massive favour" because they were short of strikers.

He had been discussing a trial with Oldham but missed training after a drugs-tester turned up on his doorstep!

Instead, Cadamarteri headed for Essex and celebrated his return with a goal on his debut.

Five days later, he got a call from Leicester boss Rob Kelly offering him a Championship opening at the Walkers Stadium. The 27-year-old has been handed a contract for the rest of the season.

He added: "It's fantastic to be

playing at a very good level again and the incentive is there to do well and earn something better or longer in the summer.

"Sometimes it's easier said than done but I know my own ability and what I am capable of doing.

"I was in and out the team at Bradford and there were spells last season when I did well and other times when I was mediocre.

"But I didn't know then what it felt like when it's all taken away from you.

"Now I've been given this chance by Leicester and the bar has been lifted again to show that I can still do it. But I'm just glad to be back in football."

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