Profiles of LFC Legends

CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 8, 2008

These profiles are courtesy of LFCHistory.net. There will be more that follow.

Alex Raisbeck - Liverpool's First Superstar

"A man of Raisbeck's proportions, style and carriage would rivet attention anywhere. He was a picture at five feet nine inches and fully 12 and a half stone; a fine and beautifully balanced figure." Comment by Liverpool Echo's Bee.
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Alexander Galloway Raisbeck was Liverpool's first superstar. He was the captain of the club's championship teams in 1901 and 1906 and was called rightly "Alexander the great". William Lyon wondered "'How many lives has Liverpool skipper? 'Tis a puzzle that's hard to unravel; Each game he plays is the game of his life'."
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Victor Hall painted a vivid picture in an article in 1924 called: "Alec Raisbeck, who raised Liverpool's prestige" in the Liverpool Echo 15 years after Alexander left Liverpool to go back to his native Scotland.

"What a trier he was! Who that ever saw him play can forget the unmatchable enthusiasm he displayed in the sheer love of the game. He not only put body and dash into individual games he played, but more importantly he helped to create the soul, that inward sacred fire of zeal without which no club can thrive and live.

"Let us recall his characteristics. Tall, lithe, sinuous, and yet gifted with muscular and physical development beyond the ordinary. Active to a degree, speed either on the turn or in flight, and with niche, at the addition of resourcefulness and judgement that would have been all sufficient in a other player, without those added gifts, methodical in training, painstaking in preparation, genial with his players and considerate with his committee. With a perfect blending of the qualities that to make a really great player!

"Raisbeck was wholeheartedly a destroyer of attacks when it came from the opposing wing. We have said that he was speed in turn and on the run. We might amplify this and say, that we have never seen in England, a speedier half-back, who could tackle a speedy forward, turn with him, and overtake and tackle him again. There may be and may have been others so gifted. We have not seen them. His judgement was sound, his valour outstanding and, naturally for a half-back, his control and placing of the ball was equally confident. During his playing career at Anfield, he had to meet forwards whose names and records were outstanding in the history of the game, and yet of one of them could it be said that they were the superior or master of Raisbeck's defensive play. His temperament rarely failed him, no matter how vigorous the play he had to meet.

"To his own club, Liverpool, we have in some little way indicated how faithful and valueable was his service. His directors had every confidence in his judgement, and fearlessly relied on his opinion on all matters relating to the players and the matches of the moment. Early on, in his career he won the confidence, too, of the club's following, and his ultimate selection as captain of the team was a popular one."
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Until Raisbeck wore the red of Liverpool, no individual had been praised to such an extent in the press for his performances on the field and character off it. When Liverpool first won the 1st division title in 1901, Daily Telegraph said: "With only 59 goals, Liverpool have nevertheless broken the First Division scoring dominance of Aston Villa, who finished well down the table with 45. But their real strength has been in defence, with Scottish international centre-half Alec Raisbeck outstanding in the middle."

Three years later Liverpool got relegated, but got promoted right away and the reason for Liverpool's great comeback was attributed to that man in the centre of defence: "Ten years have passed since the Liverpool Club fought its way into First League circles, and during this period, Alec Raisbeck has commanded his forces with wisdom and energy. A player of amazing vitality and strong personality, he has won many games by his individual efforts. His early training was among Scottish cracks, and the highest honours have been his. It is very largely down to his individual efforts that the Liverpool team has returned to the First Division."
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Alex was not only captain of Liverpool, but also of Scotland. He made his international debut as Scotland's captain vs. England on 7th of April 1900. He was only 21 years of age. Scotland wore Lord Rosebery's racing colours of pink and primrose. A total of 63,000 people saw the game at Celtic Park which was a world record attendance for an official International. Scotland won the British Home Championship for the 8th time outright by beating England 4-1 on the night.

He served as captain in four more matches. His internationals were only played vs. England and Wales as there was no plethora of games played all over the world as now. His eight and last international was on 6th of April 1907, a 1-1 draw vs England. England goalkeeper, James Ashcroft of Woolwich Arsenal, was mesmerised by Raisbeck's talents after a Scots' 2-1 victory over England: "I never saw such play. I could not keep my eyes off him."

Alex did in fact play nine internationals. His third international on 5th April 1902 became known as the "Ibrox Disaster Match". Latecomers made a dash from the packed east terrace to the new built west tribune when a big gap 70ft x 14ft wide appeared. People fell through to the ground below. 25 died and 600 were injured. Incredibly enough play was resumed after a twenty minute break at this gruesome scene. The game was later declared void so this match doesn't contribute to Alex' caps total.

Victor Hall was impressed by his international career:

"Resolute to a degree in his methods he rarely engendered personalities among opponents, and proof of this popularity came whenever his selection was announced for international matches. No name was more popular in either Scotland or England than that of the fair-headed Anfield centre-half, when selections came to be announced. Chosen by the Scottish selectors to play for his country in 1900, he was never out of the international team for seven years (until 1907), surely an extraordinary long period for a player to hold his place, especially in a Scottish team, where the game had its cradle, and with young skillful players being produced in abundance each year. In the Inter-league match he also figured as late as 1911, but that retention be his native country as the leading centre half for so long a period indicates how he stood out, head and shoulders among his contemporaries for a long period."
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Victor Hall reflects how respected and loved Raisbeck was among the Liverpool crowd:

"When the time eventually arrived to sever his connection with the Anfield club, Raisbeck carried with him many mementoes of happy associations, and the warm regards and esteem of a wide circle of friends who had watched his career develop with real pride and genuine appreciation.

"He left the club admittedly one of the most brilliant and the most successful clubs in the English League, with every honour won that the game had to bestow. It is no far flight of fancy to suggest that the individual merit of that "one man" had more than a little to do with this progress when we measure the capacity and centre half of Liverpool."
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 8, 2008

Tom Watson - One Of Liverpool's Most Beloved Characters

"One of the secrets of his success in discovering new players was his own personal popularity. Everyone he met liked him and was always ready to do him a service. So, when Tom wanted to know when a certain player was to be seen playing, or when he wanted another player's record, or playing experience, Tom has so many lists of friends all over the country and in Scotland that he had merely to write to anyone of a dozen whose opinion he sought, to get all the information he wanted. He touched the wire and back came the information." - Tom Watson remembered by Liverpool Echo's Victor Hall in 1924.

Tom Watson deserves his place among the greatest managers in Liverpool's history and if one reads his contemporaries' account of the big man he was clearly one of the most beloved figures that have ever graced the football club. Watson was in charge of Liverpool for 19 years, being the longest serving manager in the history of the club. Liverpool had been in existence for four years, just being promoted from the 2nd division for a second time, when Watson took over at the club in 1896, only 37 years of age. Watson was the most successful manager of his time, in charge of champions Sunderland 3 times in 4 seasons in 1892, 1893 and 1895.

Watson weaved his magic at Sunderland which only had been elected to the Football League in 1890. His Sunderland team was reflected upon by Liverpool Echo's Victor Hall in 1924:

"If there was one man who had the surpreme gift of creating esprit de corps on a football team of eleven men, then that man, was the same Tom who beat, and hammered, and forged to perfection the steel-tempered football machine that was in his day the "irresistible" Sunderland team.

"They were nothing particular to look at either, that wonderful Sunderland team of "all the talents". As men, they were not by any means a big team, just middleweights, the forwards rather on the light side, the halves middling, the backs sturdy, the goal, Eddie Doig! But they knit well, the played perfect combination, they shot hard and often, and they were never "beat". When they got a goal or two, they didn't ease off, they went at it twice as hard. They were trained well, not molly-coddled, they were not overpaid, and they had Tom Watson as guide, philosopher and friend.

"Once at a half-time interval I saw the trainer take a new bottle, unopened, of whisky to the dressing room. It was a piercingly cold day with a bitter east wind blowing half a gale across the ground. Evidently, thought I, the secret of Sunderland's success is "Scotch". It was, but not in the sense I thought. A moment afterwards I saw the trainer pouring the whisky into the hollow of his palm and rubbing it into the chests and backs of each of the eleven players of his team. They skipped about like kittens that second half while some of the opponents were looking blue with the cold.
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"System" you would say? Yes! "System and Tom Watson" for he was the brains of the team in those days, though this public only saw the sturdy figure of linesman, well muffled up with a ruby complexion and inevitable cigar just visible below the brim of his cap. For in the day of club linesmen Tom had always acted, and was as good as an extra forward when advice was wanted in attack or defence.

"Can you wonder, then, with that record, how the news went round like wildfire that Tom Watson was going to "skipper" Liverpool? Can you realise the sigh of relief to those who had borne the heat and struggle of the early years when, at last, they could lean back and leave the destinies of the club in the strong hands of he who had "made" Sunderland?"
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Watson must have seen some promise in this Liverpool team and must have been tempted by a nice sum of money as just one year ago Sunderland had won their third title under his rule while Liverpool had been relegated to 2nd division.

Scotch may also have been used by Watson to keep the Liverpool players warm. What is certain he encouraged his players to drink beer and red wine. He implemented a strict diet and new coaching regime. Breakfast at 8.30 ideally consisting of weak tea, chops, eggs, dry toast or stale bread. A glass of beer or claret was recommended at dinner, but butter, sugar, milk, potatoes, and tobacco was to be "sparingly used". Liverpool exercised two times a day, 9.45 am. and 3.30 pm. along with half an hour stroll at 7.30 am. and one hour stroll at 7.30 pm when "out walking the whole of the players must keep together and accompany the trainer."

There was a noticeable improvent in Liverpool's play in Watson's first season. Liverpool had been relegated in their only season in the top flight, but now finished in fifth place just as Sunderland had done in the previous season. Ninth place the following season was somewhat of a disappointment, but Watson took Liverpool to the brink of the championship in the 1898-1899 season, only losing the title to Aston Villa on the final day of the season. Liverpool finally managed to win the championship in 1901 and again in 1906. Tom Watson had written his name firmly in Liverpool's history books.

As well as being successful at Liverpool Tom Watson was immensely popular throughout the game and seemed to be quite a character. Victor Hall writes in the Echo:

"Many years ago I met in Glasgow a journalist who wanted to know if I had ever met Tom Watson, the Sunderland Club secretary. I told him I had seen Mr. Watson frequently acting as linesman for the Sunderland Club when they played Everton. "Well", said he, "if you ever get him in the humour in Liverpool, get him to sing 'Bricks and Mortar. You will never have better fun as long as you live. He sang it here for us at our dinner of the S.F.A. last night and man I am laughing yet.'

"Well, a few years after that conversation the unexpected happened, and in the process of time Tom had become the Secretary of the Liverpool Football Club and speedily became the most popular club secretary within twenty miles of Liverpool. I heard 'Bricks and Mortar' in due course and like any Glasgow friend, enjoyed the hilarious rendering of the rollicking song, as have no doubt hundreds, if not thousands, of people still living, for there was not a more welcome guest in Liverpool at any function relating to sport than dear "Old Tom".

"Whether it was football, bowling, billiards, cycling, cricket or baseball, his name was the first to be written when invitations were being drawn up, and when called upon for a song, which was always, he was faithful to his old favourite and 'Bricks and Mortar' soon had a joyous chorus, for the words were simple, the melody easy, and the sentiment, irreprochable!
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"Liverpool happy at last!" Liverpool finally won a game after five 1-2 defeats in the row for the champions. The sketch artist adds "With apologies" in the bottom right hand corner. Whether he is apologizing beforehand to Tom himself or for possibly offending certain readers of the Echo is not certain. However, it would be strange to see a sketch of Rafa Benítez in the bath celebrating a long-awaited victory!

"Dear Old Tom"! Who can ever forget that cheery, chubby face, the series of dimpling ovals radiating goodwill and happiness to all and sundry? Who can forget the strange pawky accent, so reminiscent of his favourite Tyneside, that grating at first on our Lancashire ears, by and by sounded so natural, and became with familiarity warm and happy in its intimitacy?" - Victor Hall.

On 6th of May 1915 Tom Watson passed away only 56 years of age after nineteen years at the helm at Liverpool, which means he is the longest serving manager in the history of Liverpool. The following day after his death he was remembered by Echo's Bee:

"Poor old Tom! There was no hope from the start. He could not resist pneumonia and pleurisy. His constitution was not too strong and the end robs of one of the features of the game. He was to football what Bunny was to "the movies" and he had a heart of gold. All round the country one hears expressions of deepest sorrow at the sudden death of our friend, and the funeral on Monday at Anfield, will show in some measure in what respect Tom was held. Bluff, hearty, jovial, fond of a joke and was always prepared to listen to one. Tom was a favourite all over the country."
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LFChistory.net hopes that this article will further cement Tom Watson's name in the minds of Liverpool supporters. He was a vital part of the club's history, a legendary man and manager. We let Victor Hall have the last word on the legacy of Tom Watson:

"And how worthily Tom bore out the confidence then placed in him at the time and the proud records of the Liverpool Club have since shown. He fulfilled every promise his earlier promise held out. He brought fame and fortune to his players and to his club, and enjoyed here, as he often admitted to the writer, some of the warmest and most cherished friendships of his whole life.

"In Tyneside he had been an extraordinary popular favourite, in Liverpool, if it were possible to say so, that Northern record was more than surpassed. He surrounded himself with warm, ardent friendships that were with him to the day of his death here, and that have endured after him, and will endure and annoble the game of football while the Liverpool Club exists and after that!"
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 8, 2008

Silent Sam Hardy - Liverpool's Legendary Goalkeeper

"Hardy, I consider the finest goalkeeper I played against. By uncanny anticipation and wonderful positional sense he seemed to act like a magnet to the ball. I never saw him dive full length to make a save. He advanced a yard or two and so narrowed the shooting angle that forwards usually sent the ball straight at him."
Legendary player and later co-founder of the Football Writers' Association, Charlie Buchan, had plenty of praise for Hardy's abilities.

Born a miner's son in a house on Highfield Lane, Sam first came to Chesterfield's attention as a member of the Newbold White Star side that beat their reserves in the 1902 Byron Cup final. Legend has it that, when manager Jack Hoskin was tipped off about Derby's reported interest in him, he rushed to sign Hardy, finally getting the man's signature under a lamp post in Newbold, but not until Hardy had forced Hoskin to increase his offer of five shillings (25p) a week to eighteen shillings (90p). His on-field performances reflected his character off it, for he was an even-tempered, down to earth man. Considering his great talents it was only a matter of time before he moved to a bigger club.

Liverpool put six past Sam Hardy while in goal for Chesterfield in January 1905, but remembered that, but for Hardy, it would have been closer to twenty on the day. Accordingly, four months later the Reds came in with an offer of 300 pounds plus a friendly, and the 21-year-old Sam was on his way to greatness after keeping 30 clean sheets in 71 league appearances for Chesterfield. The friendly never took place, and Liverpool topped the fee up with another 40 pounds.

Hardy replaced Ned Doig, who had been the club's No. 1 for the opening 8 fixtures of the 1905-1906 season. Liverpool had been struggling for consistency until that point, but Hardy's debut saw Liverpool beat Forest 4-1 and the Reds went on a terrific run, beating Middlesbrough 5-1, conquering champions Newcastle at St James' Park 3-2 and 1st place Aston Villa were buried 3-0 at Anfield, Hardy saving a penalty from William Garratty. After winning 9 out of 10 games, Liverpool were top of the table at Christmas, one point ahead of Aston Villa and with a game in hand. Hardy and his strong defence keeping four clean sheets. Liverpool didn't falter and finished four points ahead of Preston. Liverpool had won the League championship for the first time in Hardy's first season.

A 10-year-old by the name of Walter Dutton was so impressed by Hardy's performance in goal that he put together a little poem for publication in the Liverpool Football Echo in April 1906.
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Walter was not the only youth in Liverpool whose imagination Hardy had captured as T. Ellis' story records in the same issue as the poem above:

"While walking through one of our parks the other day I met a youngster about the age of three walking along by his father's side. 'Eh, daddy,' said he, 'there's Hardy.' 'Where and what Hardy?' asked the parent. 'There he is, daddy - him as keeps goal for the Reds.' The father looked and I looked in the direction indicated by the youngster's pointed finger, and there stood, between two piles of coats and caps, a ragged barefoot lad, about ten, engaged might and main in resisting the earnest attempts of other lads to force a penny soft indiarubber ball between the said piles of coats and caps. This is true."
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Looking through old copies of Liverpool Echo, LFChistory found some few curious facts about Hardy.

- He was a smoker. Here's a description of Hardy after a game: "Silent Sam, enjoying his cigarette whilst having his after-the-match bath at Anfield, is a picture of contentment."

Hardy was missing from Liverpool's starting line-up in the game between Blackburn and Liverpool on 10th September 1910. Hardy was in the stands smoking away...
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On 17th of April 1911 Hardy got his much deserved benefit game when Liverpool faced Woolwich Arsenal at Anfield. The club and the Anfield crowd showed Hardy their appreciation:
"Twenty thousand throats cheering the silent custodian to the echo. The band departed decorously, and the rival captains took the centre, Hardy proving fortunate with the coin, at which the generous crowd cheered again."

Sam Hardy was firmly first choice at Anfield for 7 years until the 29-year-old was replaced by 20-year-old Scotsman Ken Campbell at the end of the 1911-1912 season. Manager Tom Watson was clearly not afraid of putting his faith in his keepers while they were young. The Echo agreed with the management: "The change has been beneficial for the club, for whereas Hardy was beginning to show signs of inability to get to a shot with that electric speed that made him famous." Even though Hardy left Liverpool he continued to have an illustrious career.

Incidentally Hardy's last game for Liverpool was on 6th of April 1912 vs. Aston Villa. A month later he joined The Villains who paid 1500 pounds to Liverpool. As in his debut season at Liverpool, Hardy was victorious in his first season with Villa. Villa won Sunderland 1-0 in the 1913 FA Cup final. Villa finished four points behind Sunderland in 2nd place, but Liverpool with Ken Campbell in goal finished a disappointing 12th.

The following season Hardy suffered FA Cup heartache at the hands of his former team. Villa played Liverpool in the 1914 FA Cup semi-final and Jimmy Nicholl scored two goals past Hardy. Liverpool had finally reached the FA Cup final, but lost 1-0 to Burnley. Hardy won a second FA Cup winners' medal in 1920, when Villa beat Huddersfield 1-0, but a year later he was on the move again after 183 games for Villa.
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In 1921 he took over the pub Gardener's Arms on Glumangate in Chesterfield. His return to town fuelled fierce speculation that Chesterfield were going to sign him for their impending return to the Football League, but Villa, who had upset the player by insisting that he travel every day to Birmingham to train, were not taken in by Chesterfield's suggestion that a free transfer might be a fitting reward for his services.

Villa got 1000 pounds out of Nottingham Forest for him as the season started which was a gamble considering Sam was a few days short of his 38th birthday. Of course, Hardy became a key member of Forest's team, helping them to promotion to Division One in his first season. He paid scrupulous attention to his fitness which allowed him to keep playing in the First Division until just before his forty-second birthday, in an era when most players were clapped out at thirty.

He played 109 games for Forest before retiring in May 1925. Hardy played 551 league games in 22 years and would have played many more if WWI had not intervened. He won one championship medal and two FA cup winners' medals in his brilliant career.
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Sam Hardy was a man of strong principles and was aware of the good that a man of his profile could do towards improving the lot of his fellow professionals; accordingly, he became a prominent member of the P.F.A. Sam died in Chesterfield on 24th October 1966.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 15, 2008

Donald Mackinlay - A Liverpool Captain Speaks Out

Few came tougher than Scottish full-back Donald MacKinlay who was at Anfield from 1909-1929 and Liverpool's captain from 1921-1928. He certainly enjoyed his 20 years at the Reds: "If I had 20 years to go again, I would go back to them", he said in 1955.

Mackinlay made his debut for Liverpool at 19 years of age on the 20th of April 1910 when Liverpool defeated Nottingham Forest 7-3 with Jack Parkinson grabbing four. He started to make a name for himself at the end of the 1912-1913 season and suffered his first real big disappointment when he was in the Liverpool 11 that lost to Burnley in the FA Cup final in 1914. World War I disrupted his progress as the League was effectively shut down for 4 years. Two years after the League programme resumed, when MacKinlay was thirty years of age he was made captain of Liverpool and was so until he left Liverpool seven years later.

MacKinlay was the proud captain of the Liverpool side that won successive League championship titles in 1922 & 1923 and had the leadership qualities necessary for such a demanding role as he explained in the Evening Express in February 1955:

"Generally today captains do not have sufficient reponsibility. It seems to me that all they do is to take the team out and toss the coin. There’s not enough directing and you hardly hear them shout instructions. In my day I had full control on the field and if there was any decision on changing of positions, I took it. I am speaking generally and not individually, but captains today are not what they used to be. I told my players: ‘If I have to say anything to you, answer me back and don’t start sulking’."

However there was one player who stood up to MacKinlay and gave it as good as he got: "Elisha Scott was a wonderful goalkeeper, the best I have ever seen. When Jimmy Jackson first played for us I told him Elisha would probably have a few words to say to him during the games. ‘Don’t take too much notice of him though, he doesn’t mean it’, I said. Jimmy replied, ‘He won’t say anything to me’, and I told him, ‘Won’t he? He says them to me and I’m the captain’."
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Leslie Edwards, the sports editor of the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo, saw the Liverpool greats first hand and he couldn't praise MacKinlay's abilities highly enough: "Don MacKinlay skippered Liverpool to their Championship in the 1920s. He appeared in half a dozen different positions but the thing I remember most was his skill with a free kick. If I was leaving with a message and Liverpool had been awarded a free kick, I would wait until it had been taken because I knew anything could happen. He hit the ball with terrific power but also had a remarkable touch."

One such free kick came against Oldham on 26nd of December 1922: "McKinlay has specialised in goals from free kicks and has rent asunder many a well-built up defence. The foul was against Freeman, and the offence was on McNab. McKinlay ran up, and with a fierce drive such as he alone is capable of sent the ball flying into the left hand portion of the goal."

"In the matter of shooting nothing is more remarkable than the way Donald McKinlay continues to score goals. He has scored from outside left, right back, left back, and left half-back, but in later seasons he has figured at left-back, and he has this season piloted a lot of free kicks beyond the goalkeeper. It must be a record for a full back not taking penalty kicks to have scored so many goals in a season in the ordinary run of play."

MacKinlay's shooting prowess gave him a return of 34 goals for Liverpool, of which only four came from the penalty spot. One goal possibly more memorable than the rest came on 16th January 1926 in the 15th minute of a 2-1 league win against West Ham. MacKinlay was a full 10 yards inside his own half when he unleashed a shot that hit the back of the Hammers net!

MacKinlay was in no doubt when asked to name his greatest Liverpool team ever fielded during and since the time he was playing. He went for the players in the championship seasons of 1921-1922 and 1922-1923: Elisha Scott, Tom Bromilow, Donald MacKinlay, John Bamber, Walter Wadsworth, Tommy Lucas, Jackie Sheldon, Fred Hopkin, Dick Forshaw, Dick Johnson, Harry Chambers.
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"There’s never been one like it since. The only side that came near it was the one which won another championship in 1946-47. That was also a good side with some fine players, but I think we could have beaten it."

Donald also included a couple of Liverpool team-mates when naming his world team and a certain Shankly before he ever became Liverpool's manager: Elisha Scott (Liverpool), Tommy Lucas (Liverpool), Wadsworth (Huddersfield), Bill Shankly (Preston North End), Barson (Manchester United), Grimsdell (Spurs), Archibald (Rangers), Walker (Hearts), Dixie Dean (Everton), James (Arsenal), Morton (Rangers).

"The Hungarians? They wouldn't have seen the ball against that half-back line," he said.

MacKinlay looks proudly at the League title (picture on the right).

When asked in 1955 to name his greatest ever teams he didn't include Liverpool's greatest at that time, Billy Liddell, but MacKinlay was full of praise for Liverpool's biggest star at the time: "What can you say about him? Liverpool have had some good club players, but I think he is the finest in their history. Look at him today. I used to do a bit of running around, but he does a lot more than I ever did. Matthews is a great entertainer, but for me that Liddell man is "It". He is one of the greatest club men ever to have played football."

When 63-year-old MacKinlay looked back at his career in an interview in 1955 he clearly misses the days when players were made of sterner stuff than today's footballers: "I think the game was tougher in my day. I remember one match in the early twenties when Wadsworth injured a leg and I saw blood coming out of his boot. I told him to get some attention to it and his reply was: “Who’s blood is it, yours or mine?’ and went on playing."
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 22, 2008

Elisha Scott - Liverpool's Best Ever Keeper?

Elisha Scott is without a doubt one of the greatest goalkeepers in Liverpool's history. His career spanned an astonishing 22 years from his arrival in September 1912 until he left in June 1934. The Ulsterman played 430 League games, which was a club record until the great Billy Liddell knocked him off his perch in November 1957.

Elisha's stats are for all to see at LFChistory.net. He twice won the championship with Liverpool and is a legend at the club. But what were the great man's thoughts on various aspects of goalkeeping and what did his contemporaries think of him?

"A wonderful goalkeeper, the best I have ever seen. I put him above Sam Hardy. Stories about him are always coming up, but this one is true. When Jimmy Jackson first played for us I told him Elisha would probably have a few words to say to him during the games. ‘Don’t take too much notice of him though, he doesn’t mean it’, I said. Jimmy replied, 'He won’t say anything to me', and I told him, 'Won’t he? He says them to me and I’m the captain.'" So said Donald MacKinlay, Liverpool's captain from 1921-1928.

Even though Mackinlay added that "another great thing about Elisha was that if he thought he had made a mistake he admitted it", Scott read MacKinlay's comments on the goal against Newcastle in 1921 which knocked Liverpool out the FA Cup: "Elisha made his mistakes, like all of us, one I recollect was a Cup match at Newcastle when the only goal bounced in over his arm, but he was the man for me."

Elisha had to explain the Newcastle goal: "I remember it. It was a freak goal. Someone headed in from about 18 yards out and ball bounced six yards from me, hit a hole in the ground and shot into the top corner. Funniest thing I have ever seen. It looked that simple that naturally I got the blame. The poor goalkeeper always gets blame, but the only simple thing about it that it made me look a bit simple."

Elisha initially had a trial at Everton, after being recommended to the Blues by his older brother William, who was Everton's goalkeeper from 1904-1912 and also played 27 games for Liverpool in the 1918-19 wartime season. Liverpool saw potential in the young Elisha and snapped him up.

The Ulsterman made his debut for Liverpool on 1st January 1913 in a goalless draw vs Newcastle at St James' Park and the Liverpool Echo gave him a good review: "Hats off to Scott, Liverpool's youthful guardian. His debut was brilliant and a pleasing augury." Newcastle's board was so impressed with Scott that they made an offer of 1000 pounds for his services.

10 months passed before the 19-year-old got a second chance between the sticks when Liverpool faced Bolton at Anfield. Quote from the Echo: "Campbell's excellence has kept Scott back from senior football, but today Scott made his first appearance at Anfield for the first team, and was accorded a hearty welcome. Very much like Hardy in appearance and in his method of clearing Elisha Scott is described by one critic as 'more promising at his age than even Hardy was', high praise."

Elisha's good form throughout the years for Liverpool prompted Everton to bring him across to Goodison when he was at the height of his powers. Amazingly enough Liverpool's board had agreed to the sale, but such was Scott's popularity, Liverpool fans launched a newspaper campaign, flooding the local paper with letters of protest, which thankfully changed the club's mind.

Elisha was asked in 1955 his opinion on modern goalkeepers:

"They don't seem to concentrate on the game and agility is not there. To be a good goalkeeper you have to be 100 per cent in every game. A goalkeeper must be keyed up and mentally take part in the game for the whole 90 minutes. It's no use telling yourself not to bother as the ball is at the other end of the field. You know how fast football is. Many of those silly goals we see are due to the goalkeeper being in the wrong position when the opposition forwards swoop suddenly down on the goal."

When Elisha was asked what would be the strongest Liverpool team in the history of the club, he was in no doubt, the championship team from 1921-22 and 1922-23 was the elite: Elisha Scott, Tommy Lucas, Donald MacKinlay, Jock McNab, Walter Wadsworth, Tom Bromilow, Billy Lacey, Dick Forshaw, Dick Johnson, Harry Chambers and Fred Hopkin.

Elisha rated the game with Aston Villa at Anfield in September 1932, as the greatest he had ever played in for Liverpool:

"Villa played some of the finest football I have ever seen that day and the forwards Mandley, Beresford, Brown, Walker and Houghton, kept up a regular bombardment for the first half hour. We had to "get our backs up" to keep them out, but keep them out we did. They hit the post, but we had our share and hit the bar. There were no goals in that match, but it does not always need goals to make a great game. You can have thrills without them and that game was nothing else but thrills from the start to the finish."

It is fascinating to read the great custodian's opinion on the lost art of goalkeeping:

"Punching is an art which goalkeepers these days have not completely learned. Many have of course, but you can hit it further with your cap than some of them can punch today. To punch a ball properly you must get poise, get set and do it. No half measures. Make up your mind when a ball is coming over what you are going to do with it and don't change it. Many goalkeepers these days are frightened to leave the goal. They forget it will always be there when they get back. Another thing. Any ball in the six yards area was my bird and it should be for every goalkeeper. If he thinks a full back or another defender is in the way, tell'em to get to blazes out of it. I did."

Elisha left Liverpool for his hometown Belfast in 1934 to become Belfast Celtic's player-manager, leaving behind an army of admirers and a host of wonderful memories. He played his final game for Belfast Celtic in 1936 at the age of 42. Celtic under Elisha's guidance dominated the Irish league and won the title ten times in 1936-1942, 1944, 1947 and 1948. Sectarian crowd trouble forced Celtic to withdraw from the league in 1949.

"Look at Elisha. I saw him play in goal for the Irish League against the English League when he must have been 44. He played a blinder and when his team won, looked as though he could have jumped over the crossbar." - Donald MacKinlay

Although relatively small for a goalkeeper, 5ft 9 1/2 ins (175 cm) Elisha's agility and courage were never in question, nor was his loyalty to the club he served so well for so long. Such was the aura that surrounded him that the club took the unusual step of allowing him to address the home crowd before his final match at Anfield against Chelsea in 1934.
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"Elisha was the greatest I've ever seen. You can have Swift, Trautmann, Banks, Wilson. You can have them all. I'll take Elisha Scott."
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 22, 2008

Here are pictures of the other players...

Alex Raisbeck

Tom Watson

Sam Hardy

CCSC_STRIKER20 · Dec 22, 2008

Donald Mackinlay

CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 21, 2009

Before Stevie, Before Kenny, There Was Liddell

On the 18th of October 1958, 36-year-old Billy Liddell was dropped by Liverpool for the first time in his career vs. Fulham at Craven Cottage. This was unheard of and created much anger among Liverpool's followers and the press.

Everton and Arsenal legend Joe Mercer, then manager of Aston Villa, almost immediately bid for his services. "He'll get goals anytime. He's a goal-getter. He always was and will be", said Joe at the time. Liverpool had no intention of selling their prime asset. "Not for £100,000," said veteran president TV Williams adding with foresight, "There will never be another like him."

So how did Liverpool dare drop their greatest legend? This following article is an indication how controversial this decision was.

One of the bitterest controversies ever known in Merseyside sport is likely to erupt at any moment over what is becoming known as "the Billy Liddell story".

Briefly, here are the facts. Billy Liddell J.P. is something of a Soccer institution in Liverpool. In his 20 years with Liverpool Football Club, non-smoking, tee-total, Sunday school teacher Liddell has been a model to every sportsminded kid in the land. He has played more often for the club than any previous Liverpool footballer (nearly 500 times), his goalscoring feats are legend, and he has been honoured many times by his native Scotland.

Compliment

Indeed the Soccer-playing Justice of the peace spent so many years carrying a very ordinary Anfield team on his sturdy shoulders, that Liverpool supporters paid him the supreme compliment of renaming the club "Liddellpool". An impressive record which undoubtedly lifts Billy Liddell well above the ordinary ranks of professional footballers.

But this season the Liddell success story has taken a unfortunate twist. At the season's start Liddell was relieved of the club captaincy. And in mid-October, Liddell was dropped from the first team for the very first time. Yesterday he also recorded another first with his debut as a Central League player. I'm sure Liddell will be glad to have this opportunity of turning out in ANY of the Anfield teams because apart from one first team game against Bristol Rovers, this great footballer has had no match practice at all. "I've played a couple of charity games for the All Stars, but this is not competitive football", says Liddell.

That is why I visited Anfield. I wanted to discuss the future of Billy Liddell J.P. with the two people most concerned - the player and his manager, Mr. Phil Taylor. There were no punches pulled when I asked Liddell, "Are you on the way out?" "Have you seen the red light?" "Are you thinking of retiring?" Gentleman Bill was equally frank, with a firm "No" to each question. And those decided views are shared by roughly eight out of every 10 Liverpool supporters, who make no attempt to hide their enraged feelings as they bombard local newspapers with their opinions.

Dynamite

Now for the other side of the picture. When I told manager Phil Taylor that I intended to write about his star footballer the air could have been cut with a knife. And although I see no reason why a player's relegation should be akin to a keg of dynamite, I respect Mr. Taylor's request not to use a single quote from him about Billy Liddell.

Billy Liddell doesn't want to enter into any controversy. Liverpool Football Club won't talk. Here, then are my conclusions after a thorough investigation of the whole affair. There are rumours that some members of the Liverpool club are envious of Liddell's position, believing that he gets preferential treatment as far as the rules permit. Maybe it is a privilege to have a job and combine it with Soccer, but Liddell has always insisted on having this clause in his contract and it is obvious that the arrangement has not affected his game in the slightest. Are his Liverpool team mates really jealous? The stories may be true, in which case I condemn such petty jealousy. There's little enough in this game for the crowd-pullers. AND THE STARS SHOULD GET THEIR PITIFULLY FEW PERKS.

Unhappy

Liddell is an unhappy footballer. At the age of 36 he has no wish to cause transfer trouble, but I am sure he would ask for a move if he were three years younger. Liddell, unlike other ageing stars (and I am NOT referring to a gentleman in Blackpool) had sense enough to pack up when he sees the red light. He tells me he has not seen that danger signal and nobody knows better than the player when it happens. I am in no position to pass an opinion because I have not seen Liddell in League action this season, but I have had a word with my colleague Ivan Sharpe, for a brief assessment of Liddell's form.

Good Shot

Says Ivan: "I don't regard Liddell as finished. Naturally, at his age, he must have lost some edge to his game but when that ball comes across from the wing he is still very nearly the best shot in the country. Liddell must remain a most valuable club servant, and I hope to see him help the club gaining the promotion which is overdue."

Liverpool's directors and manager no longer regard Liddelll as a first-team player. That is obvious from the team selection, This sad state of affairs cannot continue indefinitely. The eruption is imminent. I am sure everyone in Soccer hopes that former Flying Officer Pathfinder William Beveridge Liddell is able to path-find his way out of his present problem. And I hope the situation does not deter a 20-year-old link between a great footballer and a great club.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Jan 28, 2009

Billy and Bob - A Great Friendship

Billy Liddell on Bob: "As players, we used to live opposite each other and the day my wife and I moved in, Bob was the first person across our doorstep to welcome us."

Bob Paisley joined Liverpool in May 1939, 10 months after Billy Liddell had moved from Scotland to Liverpool. They built a friendship that lasted a lifetime and Bob could certainly appreciate the qualities of his good friend if these words are anything to go by:

"Forgive me if my eyes sparkle when I think of Bill Liddell. You can talk of how the players of yesteryear would have struggled to cope with the demands of the modern game. Bill Liddell would have been a star in any team, in any age. How I wish I could have had a Liddell in my successful teams. With him in the side I reckon we would have won the Grand National and the Boat Race.

When I first joined Liverpool, Bill and I lived only a few doors apart in digs just near the ground and quickly palled up. Later we both moved to club house in Bowring Park. Our private lives followed a similar pattern too. Bill met Phyllis, a girl from Garston, and they were married three days after us! We have our wedding anniversary on July 17th and theirs is on the 20th. While we were living near each other in Bowring Park we used to rely on Phil Taylor for our transport. Bill and I would pay him two pence a week to take us to the ground because he was the only one who had a car in those days.

We had a fine time then because most of the players lived near each other. I can remember one incident when we all had to give Albert Stubbins a hand after he had bought a new bedroom suite which wouldn't go through the front door. We had to take out a window and hoist it up to get it into his bedroom! Willie Fagan, Ted Spicer, Albert, Cyril Done, Phil Taylor, Bill and I all lived in the Greystone Road-Westfield Avenue area and I think we paid 25 shillings a week in rent to the club. Bill's wife, Phyllis, was the first one to get a washing machine, I think it was a Bendix, and we all went in to have a look at it because it was such a rarity in those days.

He was also an exceptional person. He didn't smoke. He didn't drink. He didn't swear. And he wasn't even a full-time professional! Now I'm sure that will surprise a lot of old fans but throughout his time at Anfield, Bill never trained with us on a daily basis. He would take part in the pre-season training and join us for about a month. But after that we would only see him a couple of mornings a week. The rest of the time he was working outside the game with, first of all, the accountancy firm who were Liverpool's auditors, and, after that, as accountant to the Liverpool Students' Union. No-one would have known that Bill was, really, only a part-timer and I'm sure even if he had trained every day he wouldn't have been a better player than he was.

He was often embarrassed when people referred to us as Liddell-pool during the days of struggle but I think it was fair enough. He was a team rolled up into one.

It was an honour to play behind him for so many years and when I say that Bill didn't swear, I mean it. I can quite honestly say that I never, ever heard him utter a swear word, on the pitch, in the dressing room or on the training ground. In fact, I remember one occasion when a referee was going to take his name. I interceded and asked why and was told that Bill had sworn at either him or the linesman. I told the ref he would be laughed out of court because who had played with or against him knew that he would never utter a swear word!

"It really was fun and enjoyable in those days. The wives went to the games together and Phyllis Liddell and I used to sit on the wall outside the Anfield ground waiting for Bob and Billy to come out. There was no ladies' lounge or anything like that! Then we'd go to the sweet shop before we got the tram home." - Jessie Paisley, Bob's wife on their friendship with Billy and Phyllis Liddell

Bill was always strong, even as a teenager, and was a naturally two-footed player. He also had good skills, but was so strong for a winger. In those days most wingers were fairly lightly-built players but Bill had absolutely no fear. He was a gentleman through and through. But he would also work on the pitch. He was a real workhorse but he had a nice touch as well. Sometimes he would use his strength to send defenders flying, but always totally fairly.

It is close between him and Kenny for the title of the best player ever to have worn a Liverpool shirt. By today's standards, I don't think there is the money to buy a Billy Liddell."
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Feb 5, 2009

LFC Legend Ray Clemence Clean Sheets Record Still A Benchmark

EDWIN van der Sar was, understandably, celebrating this week.

By keeping his goal intact for an impressive 1,122 minutes, Manchester United’s Dutch goalkeeper eclipsed Steve Death’s league record for clean sheets, recorded his 11th successive match without conceding – and set a new Premier League benchmark.
But he’s still only halfway to the mark set by Liverpool’s legendary shotstopper Ray Clemence 30 years ago this season.

Liverpool’s 1978/79 season is a benchmark of defensive resilience. Clemence kept an astonishing 28 clean sheets during that miserly campaign (van der Sar currently has 16). He conceded just 16 goals, only four of them at home . . . “And it was a 42 match season not 38!” he points out.

Now a highly respected goalkeeping coach with the England national squad, Clemence still keeps a keen eye on the nation's number ones – and even though clean sheet records seem to be tumbling every season, he still believes goalkeepers were just as good when he was at his peak.

Chelsea pipped Liverpool’s 16 goals shipped statistic in 2005, but had four fewer games to do it; Van der Sar has just claimed Steve Death’s league record and Pepe Reina took Clemence’s title of being the fastest to 50 shut-outs last year.

“Is it easier now than when I was playing? I wouldn’t like to say,” laughed Clemence.

“But whatever era you played in, goalkeeping was never easy!

“Goalkeeping has changed a lot since 1979. For a start keepers now have to be very good with their feet. When I was playing you could pick a back pass up.

“The ball has changed as well.

“It is certainly easier for goalkeepers to distribute now than it was then, but the downside is that it moves more in the air which makes it more difficult to catch.

“It’s impossible to compare really.”

The modern goalkeeper’s greater reliance on his footwork reminds Clemence of his Liverpool debut, a storm-tossed night in 1968.

“I didn’t have a good time with my feet on my debut,” he recalled.

“It was against Swansea City in the League Cup and it was an horrendous night. I actually kept a clean sheet and we won 2-0, but it was lashing down with a gale force wind blowing from the Kop down to the Anfield Road End and my kicking wasn’t particularly good.

“I remember one character shouting out from the Anfield Road End ‘Clemence, take an early shower!’

“My kicking off the floor wasn’t particularly good at that part of my career but I soon improved.

“That might have been down to me playing centre-forward so often during training sessions!

“I enjoyed that and used to try and do it every session.”

Despite that liking for the ball at his feet, it was with his hands that Clemence became a genuine 24-carat Anfield legend.

He made 665 appearances from that undistinguished debut in 1968, keeping 335 clean sheets and winning every major honour the domestic and European game had to offer . . . 18 of them.

Clemence’s fourth league title arrived in 1978/79 – and although he won one more before leaving for Spurs in 1981, it was that 78/79 season which saw Liverpool achieve an unparalleled peak of excellence.

Just 16 goals conceded, 85 scored – an astonishing goal difference of 69, it was the campaign when arguably every department of the Liverpool engine reached an all-time high.

“How did we manage it? We were just a very, very good side. It was a case of just having supreme confidence in each other,” explained Clemence.

“The defensive record certainly wasn’t down to me, just as Edwin van der Sar will say his run of clean sheets isn’t down to him.

“When you play for a very good side like he does or like I did, you’re only called upon to make saves two or three times a match – you just have to make sure that your concentration is good enough so that you’re ready to make those saves when called upon.”

Thirty years ago this season, Clemence’s focus and concentration was impeccable.

To put it into historical perspective, the Liverpool championship winning sides either side of 1978/79 conceded 33 and 30 goals, respectively.

Even Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest side, a team famed for its defensive parsimony, shipped 24 when they interrupted Liverpool’s title winning procession in 1978, while Ron Saunders’ championship winning Aston Villa side of 1981 was positively reckless, conceding 40 league goals.

The current Liverpool side can also boast a magnificent mean streak.

Pepe Reina has been the Premier League’s king of the clean sheets for the last three seasons – and his 13th of the season last Sunday got the title charge back on track again.

“The win over Chelsea was a massive victory,” declared Clemence.

“When Manchester United were away at the World Club Cup no-one really took advantage. Liverpool drew too many games, but the good thing is we are in contention now, which hasn’t been the case in previous seasons.

“In the last third of the season I’d love to see Liverpool go out and win game after game, the way United have been doing – and finally land that league title.
“Because that’s what we all want.”

Ray Clemence factfile

BETWEEN February 12 and April 3, 1972, Ray Clemence kept seven clean sheets in succession – all in the league).

BETWEEN September 1972 and March 1978 he made 337 unbroken appearances.

HIS goals per game average of 0.89 is one of the best in the club’s history, topped only by Bruce Grobbelaar (0.85) and Pepe Reina (0.70).

HE is described by the authoritative historical website Lfchistory.net as “The best goalkeeper in Liverpool’s history.”

IN his first full season, 1970/71 Liverpool conceded only 22 goals in 41 games, equalling a league record.

HIS last match for Liverpool was the 1981 European Cup final against Real Madrid . . . he kept a clean sheet.
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Feb 8, 2009

From The 1890s, We Have...

Harry Bradshaw

Raby Howell

Malcolm McVean

Joe McQue

Alex Raisbeck

CCSC_STRIKER20 · Feb 8, 2009

Just go here for the links our past players.

LFC.tv

CCSC_STRIKER20 · Feb 9, 2009

Billy's Only Title Triumph

Billy Liddell would have deserved a whole host of medals from his wonderful career at Liverpool. He was part of the Liverpool team that lost to Arsenal in the 1950 FA Cup final and even when Liverpool were relegated to 2nd division he was faithful to the Reds. Billy won his only championship with Liverpool in quite unusual circumstances after a spectacular finish to the 1946-47 season.

Billy remembers his only major medal at Liverpool:

"Owing to the severe weather causing many postponements, plus the fact there was a Government ban on mid-week games, the season was extended. Actually it went on until June 14, on which day we played the Liverpool Senior Cup Final with Everton at Anfield, but we completed our League fixtures on May 31. Our team spirit during those last few weeks was as good as anything I had so far experienced. There could have been no happier atmosphere anywhere. We took fifteen points from the last sixteen at stake, the only one dropped being a draw with Brentford in London.

Before Liverpool's final league game of the season, Manchester United, Stoke and Wolves had the chance to win the league title along with Liverpool. Fate would have it Liverpool played Wolves at Molineux on 31st May:

"The day was more suitable for cricket than football. It was extremely hot, with the thermometer somewhere in the eighties, and I remember remarking to Albert Stubbins about the vast number of spectators in short-sleeves or summer frocks. We were the first to score when Jackie Balmer steered one into the net and when Albert Stubbins got a second we thought the game was safely "in the bag". Wolves, however were never a team to give up without a struggle. Cullis was a wonderful inspiration, urging his players on and making them fight as though their lives depended on it. Jimmy Dunn reduced the lead, but that was all Wolves could achieve, largely because our defence gave one of the finest exhibitions seen at Molineux for many a long day.

It was ironic that the man who did most to keep Wolves from the draw, which would, as things turned out, have given them the championship, was their former goalkeeper Sidlow. Cyril made save after save when it seemed certain that he must be beaten. We were a happy party returning from Wolverhampton, but still had to wait a forthnight before knowing whether we were champions. Stoke had one game to play, against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, which could not take place until June 14."

"Stoke had to beat the Blades to displace us from leading position. The day this game at Sheffield took place we met Everton in the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup at Anfield, starting fifteen minutes after the Sheffield match. Though our minds were more on what was taking place at Bramall Lane than at Anfield, we defeated Everton 2-1. But the last ten minutes were a mere formality, for the news had been given over the loud-speakers that Stoke had been defeated and the title was ours. The crowd didn't care two straws what happened after that. All they wanted was the final whistle, so they could come swarming over the ground from the Kop and Kemlyn Road and carry us off the field. It was a scene of amazing enthusiasm."

Albert Stubbins scored Liverpool's second goal:

"I had a word with Bob and told him if he received the ball in a deep midfield position, to knock it straight down the middle for me to chase. The first opportunity he got, he did just that and it took Wolves by surprise. I’d already set off and I left Stan Cullis and Billy Wright trailing in my wake. As I closed in on goal the keeper Bert Williams came rushing off his line, but I just managed to get my toe to the ball and poke it past him. We were already leading 1-0 and that goal put us in the driving seat."
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CCSC_STRIKER20 · Feb 21, 2009

LFC Greats In Match To Honor Bobby Wilcox

A MEMORIAL football match is to be staged in honour of Liverpool fan Bobby Wilcox, who lost his battle with cancer recently.

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has agreed to put together a team of Reds greats to take on past players of amateur side Britannia FC, the club which Bobby dedicated himself to for decades.

The game will take place on the pitches at Flinders Street, off Vauxhall Road, at 2pm on Sunday, March 29.

The memorial match has already been given the full backing of Reds star Jamie Carragher, who signed one of the commemorative shirts for the game at Melwood earlier this week.

Tickets will be available on the day at the gate, priced £3 for adults and £2 for children.
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usscouse · Feb 21, 2009

CCSC_STRIKER20 said: ↑

Billy's Only Title Triumph

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"I had a word with Bob and told him if he received the ball in a deep midfield position, to knock it straight down the middle for me to chase."

Amazing how many times Billy caught the opposition like this, fast two footed and hard to knock off the ball.

The saying was..." If you're not on the Kop at Kick Off, you'll miss the first goal!"

edit Looks like Billy's wearing the old away strip and that looks like a old Arsenal shirt on the guy trying to trip him....")