Cyril Sidlow
Goalkeeper (1946-1951)
Date of Birth: 26-11-1915
Birthplace: Colwyn Bay
Debut : 31st August 1946 v Sheffield United (A) Football League Division One: won 1-0
1st team games: 165
1st team goals: 0
Other clubs: Wolverhampton Wanderers, New Brighton
National Team: Wales 7 caps
After serving in the Second World War, Cyril Sidlow arrived late in the game but was a safe goalkeeper with fine distribution, who would often opt to throw the ball rather than kick it.
His professional career began with Wolves but when the Midlander's signed future England keeper Bert Williams Sidlow sought a move. Liverpool stepped in and paid £4,000 for his services in February 1946 for £4,000.
He quickly established himself as Liverpool's number one and capped his first full season at Anfield by winning a League Championship medal
Ironically, the Reds pipped Sidlow's former club to the title and it was on his return to Molineux in a crucial end-of-season clash that he enjoyed perhaps his finest performance in a Liverpool shirt.
Wolves required a win to take the title, while Liverpool needed the points to keep their hopes alive. Sidlow gave an inspired performance to deny his old club and the Reds won 2-1.
Sidlow kept his place for most of the next three years and helped the club reach its first Wembley FA Cup final but it ended in disappointment with a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in 1950.
He played in the opening 10 League fixtures of 1950-51 before missing the next four (his place being taken by Charlie Ashcroft and Russell Crossley for two games each) before making what was to be his last Liverpool appearance in a home First Division game against Newcastle United on 4th November 1950, when he conceded four goals in 10 minutes.
Cyril Sidlow passed away aged 89 in April 2005.
Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship1946-47.
Cyril Sidlow