Hartson's Coventry City career was extremely brief and many fans still believe that if he had been signed sooner he would have kept us in the Premier League. City had looked to sign him from Wimbledon before Christmas 2000 but his medical history meant City could not insure him. Then in February with City in dire straits and the Dons in desperate need of cash the deal was resurrected and Hartson joined on a pay as you play basis.

He had an immediate effect, helping to win a point at West Ham and scoring on his home debut in a 2-2 draw with Charlton. Only two of his first eight games were lost but there were too many draws.   He led the line superbly, holding up the ball well and hurting opposition defenders like no City centre-forward since Dublin. At Old Trafford he shook the champions-elect with two first half goals but the defence couldn't keep the goals out. That summer despite committing himself to the club he left to join Celtic and earned City a tidy profit on their deal.

John, who won 51 caps for Wales, started his career at Luton Town and played for Arsenal, West Ham and Wimbledon prior to joining City. He had five great years at Celtic, reuniting with Gordon Strachan, and left for West Brom in 2006, a loan spell at Norwich followed before he retired from playing. He is a regular pundit on TV and radio.

Welsh Footballer of the Year 1998, 2001 and 2003
Scottish Premier League winner 2001–02, 2003–04 and 2005–06 with Celtic
Scottish Cup winner 2003–04 and 2004–05 with Celtic
Scottish League Cup winner 2005–06 with Celtic
PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year 2005
SFWA Footballer of the Year 2005