LIVERPOOL F.C. OLD STARS THREAD

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Ian Callaghan

Midfielder

Date of Birth: 10-04-1942
Birthplace: Liverpool
Debut : 16th April 1960 v Bristol Rovers (H) Football League Division Two: Won 4-1
1st team games: 856
1st team goals: 69
Other clubs: Swansea City, Cork Hibernian, Soudifjord (of Norway), Crewe Alexandra
Nation team: England (1966-1977) 4 caps/0 goals

Liverpool's own marathon man - the club's appearance record holder with 856 senior outings spanning almost two decades. Liverpool-born Callaghan was the only player to appear for the club in the old Second Division right through to their first European Cup triumph in Rome in 1977. He was at the club as a junior when Bill Shankly arrived in 1959 and still playing when the legendary Scot left in 1974.

Like his boyhood hero Billy Liddell - ironically the man he replaced on his debut in April 1960 - Callaghan was a gentleman of the game. He was booked only once in a remarkable career which brought him a cascade of medals and an MBE.

He was a direct, raiding right winger during the first phase of his career, embracing Liverpool's climb from the old Second Division, on to League and FA Cup glory and regular European campaigns before knee damage threatened his Anfield future in 1970.

But the evergreen Callaghan returned in a new, central midfield role, continuing impressively during the Bob Paisley management era. His crowning glory was a place, at 35, in the first European Cup-winning side. He joined Swansea in 1978, later played for Crewe and set an all-time record of 88 FA Cup appearances.

Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship 1963/64, 1965/66, 1972/73, 1975/76, 1976/77, FA Cup 1965 & 1974, Second Division Championship 1961/62, European Cup 1977, UEFA Cup 1973 & 1976, Charity Shield 1964 (shared), 1965 (shared), 1966 & 1974, European Super Cup 1977, Football Writers Player of the Year 1973/74


Ian Callaghan

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Tommy Smith

Defender (1962-1978')

Birthplace: Liverpool
Debut : 8th May 1963 v Birmingham City (H) Football League Division One: won 5-1
1st team games: 637
1st team goals: 48
Other clubs: Swansea City
National team: England (1971) 1 caps/0 goals

His flint-like attitude and committed tackling earned him the nickname of the 'Anfield Iron' and spawned a thousand stories - many apocryphal - of his rugged approach to the game. "Tommy was never a boy - he was born a man!" said an admiring Bill Shankly.

Smith's fearsome reputation, however, threatened to disguise his skill and subtle touches, in defence or midfield, which brought him England recognition. Born a mile or so from Anfield he joined the club ground staff as a 15 year-old in 1960 and went on to become the first Liverpool captain to lift a European trophy when Shankly's side won the League and UEFA Cup double in 1973.

His first big impact came in November 1964 when he went out as an extra defender in the No 10 shirt to face Anderlecht in the European Cup, the first time the team had worn all-red. The Belgians were baffled by Smith's role and fell to a 3-0 defeat.

His greatest moment came in the final of the same competition 13 years later. On his 600th Liverpool appearance he headed the second goal against Borussia Moenchengladbach in Rome to inspire a 3-1 victory of the club's first European Cup triumph. "I've changed my name to Roy of the Rovers", quipped Smith, who was made an MBE, joined Swansea in 1978 and later spent a year as Liverpool youth coach.

Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship 1965/66, 1972/73, 1975/76 & 1976/77, FA Cup 1965 & 1974, European Cup 1977, UEFA Cup 1972/73 & 1975/76, Charity Shield 1965 (shared), 1966 & 1974, European Super Cup 1977


Tommy Smith

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Steve Heighway

Midfielder

Date of Birth: 25-11-1947
Birthplace: Dublin
Debut : 22nd September 1970 v Mansfield Town (H) League Cup: Won 3-2
1st team games: 473
1st team goals: 76
Other clubs: Skelmersdale United, Minnesota Kicks
National team: Republic of Ireland (1971-82) 34 caps/0 goals

Steve Heighway was once charged with the responsibility of providing the crosses for Liverpool's strikers to score the goals during one of the most successful periods in the club's history.

Now the seventies star has an equally important role to play as he helps to develop as many of the club's youngsters as possible with a view to as many of them as possible one day playing first team football.

Steve is Liverpool's Academy Director and, with his dedicated team at the fantastic Academy complex in Kirkby, he oversees an operation which caters for one hundred and fifty youngsters of all ages as they all pursue their dream of becoming a professional footballer.

'I love the job and I feel a great sense of responsibility towards the club,' says Steve. 'The board have shown considerable foresight by investing so heavily in the Academy and we each have a role to play now to repay that faith.

'Our record over the years of bringing our own players through is magnificent and we hope there are many more to come in the next few years.'

Heighway was signed as a player initially as an amateur, by Bill Shankly in 1970. It was actually Shankly's right hand man Bob Paisley who can claim a lot of the credit for bringing the 22-yar-old Heighway to Liverpool, as Paisley's sons spotted him playing against South Liverpool and recommended him to their father.

The endearing memory of Steve Heighway that most Liverpool fans will have, however, is his pace and ability down the wing, where he created hatfuls of goals for Kevin Keegan and John Toshack, as well as surpassing the 50 League goal mark for the club himself.

Upon retiring, he eventually returned to Anfield as the youth development officer in the 1980s, working alongside his old team mate Roy Evans, and leading Liverpool's Youth team to their first ever success in the FA Youth Cup in 1996.

Having brought through such immense talents as Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard, Dominic Matteo and David Thompson, Steve was instrumental in setting up the world-leading Anfield Academy which opened on January 20th 1999, and as Director of the Academy he continues to ensure a steady flow of the very finest young talent into the Liverpool first team.

Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship 1972/73, 1975/76, 1976/77, 1978/79 & 1979/80, FA Cup 1974, European Cup 1977 & 1978, UEFA Cup 1973 & 1976, Charity Shield 1974 & 1976, European Super Cup 1977


Steve Heighway

[Mighty T.A.L.]

David Fairclough

Striker

Date of Birth: 05-01-1957
Birthplace: Liverpool
Debut : 1st November 1975 v Middlesbrough (A) Football League Division One: Won 1-0
1st team games: 153
1st team goals: 55
Other clubs: Toronto Blizzard, Lucerne FC, Norwich City, Oldham Athletic, Beveren SK
Nickname: Supersub

English football's prototype 'super sub', renowned for his memorable scoring exploits after stepping off the bench. The label is one Fairclough never relished but has learned to live with as he reflects on his massive medal haul.

The flame-haired Liverpool-born raider joined the club during the Bill Shankly era but exploded onto the big stage during Bob Paisley's management reign. During his debut season of 1975-76 he hit seven goals in 14 League appearances - nine of them as substitute - to help land the title.

Fairclough's pace and shooting power, which brought him 55 goals, tested the finest defences. His most famous strike came in March 1977 when, with time running out, he went on and scored the winner against crack French side St Etienne in the European Cup quarter final second leg.

Fairclough's own favourite goal also came as a substitute at Anfield a year earlier when he beat six Everton defenders before firing past goalkeeper Dai Davies to win the Mersey derby. Yet despite his reputation Fairclough's 61 stints as a substitute were eclipsed by his 92 Liverpool starts. He joined Swiss club Lucerne in 1983, the first of a batch of clubs at home and abroad.

Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship 1975/76 & 1976/77, European Cup 1978, UEFA Cup 1976, Charity Shield 1977 (shared), European Super Cup (1977)


David Fairclough

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Sir Matt Busby

Right half (1935/36 - 1939/40)

Date of Birth: 26/5/1909
Birthplace: Lanarkshire
Debut : 14th March 1936 v Huddersfield Town (A) Football League Division One: Lost 0-1
1st team games: 125
1st team goals: 3
Other clubs: Manchester City
Manager: Manchester United
National team: Scotland 1 caps/0 goals

While Sir Matt Busby will always be remembered for re-building Manchester United and surviving the Munich air disaster he made his name as a player with Liverpool and enjoyed a life-long friendship with Bob Paisley, whose deeds in charge of Liverpool make him the most successful manager ever in English football.

A Scotland international from Lanarkshire, Busby joined Liverpool for £8,000 from Manchester City in March 1936 and was made captain. Originally an inside forward he had been switched to right half earlier in his career. It proved an inspired decision. Busby's wing half play contained outstanding elegance and grace and his use of the ball was brilliant.

He was skipper when Paisley signed as a young player from Bishop Auckland in 1939 and immediately took the new arrival under his wing. When war was declared Busby was among several Anfield players who joined the King's Liverpool Regiment.

Liverpool decided to make Busby club coach but before he could take up the appointment at the end of the war, United offered him their vacant manager's job and Liverpool chairman Billy McConnell persuaded the board to release him.

Honours with Liverpool: None


Matt Busby

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Elisha Scott

Goalkeeper (1912-1934)

Date of Birth: 24-08-1894
Birthplace: Belfast
Debut : 1st January 1913 v Newcastle United (A) Football League Division One: drew 0-0
1st team games: 467
1st team goals: 0
Other clubs: Linfield, Broadway United and Belfast Celtic
National team: Ireland (1920) 5 caps, Northern Ireland (1921 - ?) 22 caps

The legend of Elisha Scott will live forever in Liverpool folklore. Arguably the greatest goalkeeper to keep goal for the Reds, Scott remains one of the most famous figures to have represented the club, despite playing his last game way back in 1934.

Born in Belfast, he followed in the footsteps of his elder brother Billy, who was a goalkeeper with Everton and Ireland. Scott junior signed for Linfield at just 14 years of age but was soon moved on to junior club Broadway United where he learnt his trade before Billy recommended him to his peers at Goodison.

Fortunately for Liverpool, Everton deemed him to be too young and when Billy then mentioned Elisha to Anfield chairman John McKenna, the Reds did not hesitate in swooping to sign the rookie 17-year old.

With the experienced Kenny Campbell still keeping goal for Liverpool, young Scott was considered one for the future. But it was not long before he made an impression.

Making his first team debut against Newcastle United on New Years Day 1913, he kept a clean sheet in a goalless draw and, so accomplished was his performance at St James Park that afternoon, opponents Newcastle offered ?1,000 for his signature immediately afterwards.

Scott was only informed of the bid on the way back to Liverpool and believing that Campbell would be difficult to dislodge, he thought it might have been in his best interests if he was allowed to go. Liverpool's secretary/manager Tom Watson, though, wisely refused and reassured Scott that his future lay at Anfield.

He was right. Towards the end of the 1914/15 season Scott enjoyed an extended run as Liverpool's first choice keeper and, although the advent of World War One interrupted his progress, as the 1920's dawned he quickly earned a reputation as one of the finest custodians around.

One reporter wrote of him, 'He has the eye of an eagle, the swift movement of a panther when flinging himself at a shot and the clutch of a vice when gripping the ball.'

In 1920 he won the first of his 27 international caps and in 1921/22 missed just three games as the Reds won their first league title for 16 years. The following season he was an ever-present between the sticks as the championship was retained. Scott was by now a firm favourite of the Anfield crowd and the adulation he received was unprecedented. In 1924, after pulling off a stunning save at home to Blackburn Rovers, one fan ran onto the pitch and kissed him!

The years that followed the back-to-back title triumphs may have been barren in terms of honours won but Scott's popularity never once waned. In 1934 the unthinkable almost occurred when Everton offered ?250 for his services. He was coming to end of his career and Liverpool were ready to accept the offer until supporters flooded the local newspaper with letters of protest.

On February 21, 1934 Scott played his 467th and final game for Liverpool - it was a record that stood until Billy Liddell surpassed it in 1957.

Anfield's favourite son requested a move back to Ireland to take up the post of player/manager at Belfast Celtic and on the occasion of Liverpool's final home game of that season hardened Kopites were rumoured to have shed tears when their hero made an emotional farewell speech from the directors' box.

He finally retired from the game in at the age of 42 in 1936 and continued to manage the Belfast club until it folded in 1949. Ten years later the legendary Elisha Scott died. Gone, but never forgotten.

Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship 1921/22 & 1922/23


Elisha Scott

[NJ10]

Good thread this mate. Keep em coming.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Billy Liddell

Winger/Forward (1938 - 1960)

Date of Birth: 10/01/21
Birthplace: Dunfermline
Debut : 5th January 1946 v Chester City (A) FA Cup: won 2-0
1st team games: 537
1st team goals: 229
Other clubs: Lochgelly Violet
National team: Scotland (1947-56) 28 caps/6 goals

The archetypal man for all seasons and all positions and included in the Merseyside team of the 20th Century voted for by BBC listeners. One of the all-time greats of British football he and Sir Stanley Matthews are the only two players to appear twice in United Kingdom sides who played against Europe in 1947 and 1955.

Scotland international Liddell's prime position was as a raiding left-winger but he also excelled on the opposite flank, at centre forward or inside forward. Such was his versatility that due to injuries to others he played in every outfield department and possessed a hammer of a shot in both feet.

Liverpool signed him from Scottish junior club Lochgelly Violet as a 15 year old amateur in June 1938 and gave an undertaking that he could continue his studies to become an accountant. He remained on the club's payroll until the end of season 1960-61 and his Corinthian attitude meant that in all those years he was never booked.

A maker and taker of goals he starred in Liverpool's 1946-47 Championship season and an early injury to the great Scot at Wembley in the 1950 FA Cup Final against Arsenal reduced his scoring pace as Liverpool slipped to a 2-0 defeat. During Liverpool's 1950's Second Division wilderness years they were nicknamed 'Liddellpool' because of the shining talents of the player who was their top scorer in eight seasons.

Billy Liddell died from Alzheimers disease in July 2001 at the age of 79.

Honours with Liverpool: -


Billy Liddell

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Ian St. John

Forward (1961-1971)

Date of Birth: 07-06-1938
Birthplace: Motherwell
Debut : 19th August 1961 v Bristol Rovers (A) Football League Division Two: won 2-0
1st team games: 426
1st team goals: 118
Other clubs: Motherwell, Coventry City, Tranmere Rovers Management: Motherwell, Portsmouth
National team: Scotland (1959 - 1965) 21 caps/9 goals

One of two landmark Scottish captures by Bill Shankly in the summer of 1961, the other being Ron Yeats, who figured massively in Liverpool's climb from the Second Division. St John cost a then club record £37,500 from Motherwell and this ebullient, crew-cut raider became an instant hero of Liverpool fans by scoring a debut hat trick against Everton in the Liverpool Senior Cup Final.

A wonderful competitor, whose timing in the air overcame his lack of height at 5ft 7½ins he was a majestic header of the ball and with compatriots Yeats and goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence, formed the team's 'spine' that Shankly rated so crucial and which took them to League championship glory and onto the European stage.

St John swiftly became a folk hero and inspired the Kop to adopt "When The Saints Go Marching In" as their sixties song. His darting, all-action style perfectly complemented his attack partner Roger Hunt in what was a bludgeon and rapier combination.

St John's most famous Liverpool goal was his header from Ian Callaghan's cross at Wembley in 1965 to bring the FA Cup to Anfield for the first time. He joined Coventry in 1971, later moving into coaching, management and the media.

Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship 1963/64 & 1965/66, Second Division Championship 1961/62, FA Cup 1965, Charity Shield 1965 (shared) & 1966


Ian St. John

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Tommy Lawrence

Goalkeeper (1962 - 1971)

Date of Birth: 14/05/40
Birthplace: Ayrshire
Debut : 27th October 1962 v West Bromwich Albion (A) Football League Division One: lost 0-1
1st team games: 390
1st team goals: -
Other clubs: Tranmere Rovers, Chorley
National team: Scotland (1963 - 1969) 3 caps

Tommy earned two nicknames during his eventful Liverpool career. One of them "The Flying Pig" was accorded him affectionately by the Kop because of his superb agility and acrobatics for a man of almost 14 stone. He was also labelled "The Sweeper Keeper" by that much respected football man Joe Mercer after he witnessed Lawrence's performance in the 1-0 Charity Shield win over Everton at Goodison in 1966.

"He comes so far off his line he plays like an extra defender," was Joe's appraisal of the keeper who shared an Ayrshire birthplace with Bill Shankly but was already on the club's books before his arrival as a manager in 1959. He had signed as an Anfield professional two years earlier after arriving as a 15 year old amateur.

Lawrence, whose family moved to Lancashire when he was 11, had to wait until October 1962 to make his League debut but such was his amazing consistency and freedom from injury that he missed only four games between then and 1970.

In 1968-69 he set a new record for the old First Division by conceding only 24 goals in 42 games which stood until his successor Ray Clemence was beaten only 16 times a decade later. Lawrence, who won two championships, an FA Cup winners medal and three Scotland caps, joined Tranmere in 1971.

Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship 1963/64 & 1965/66, FA Cup 1965, Charity shield 1964 (shared), 1965 (shared) & 1966


Tommy Lawrence

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Bill Jones

Utility player (1946-1954)

Date of Birth: 13-5-1921
Birthplace: Whaley Bridge, Derby.
Debut : 31st August 1946 v Sheffield United (A) Football League Division One: Won 1-0
1st team games: 278
1st team goals: 17
Other clubs: York City, Leeds United, Reading (all as wartime guest), Ellesmere Port Town (player/manager)
National team: England (1950) 2 caps

Grandfather of Rob Jones, Bill Jones is probably best remembered by Liverpool fans as the man who was preferred to Bob Paisley in the 1950 FA Cup Final, when the Reds lost 2-0 to Arsenal.
He joined the Reds from Derbyshire side Hayfield St Mathews in 1938 and won a Military Medal during the allies crossing of the Rhine in World War Two.

Jones was recognised as one of Liverpool's finest utility players and in the 1946-47 Championship season, played in five different positions - ranging from centre forward to full back and each time giving 100 per cent effort to the task.

An England international who won his two caps in 1950 Jones was also highly regarded as a top-class cricketer. Indeed, it was believed he could have made the grade had he not opted to concentrate on his football.

In the last game of the 1952/53 season he scored one of the two crucial goals that secured Liverpool's top flight status but was unable to save them from the drop the following year, after which he left to join Ellesmere Port Town as player/manager.

He returned to work for the Reds as a scout in the 1960's and 1970's and was instrumental in the signing of many quality players during this time.

Honours with Liverpool: Division One Champions 1946-47.


Bill Jones

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Ronnie Moran

Defender (1952-1969) & Coaching Staff (1969-1999)

Date of Birth: 28-02-1934
Birthplace: Crosby
Debut : 22nd November 1952 v Derby County (A) Football League Division One: lost 2-3
1st team games: 379
1st team goals: 16

A Liverpool legend, Ronnie Moran has just about filled every role there is at Anfield.

Originally a left back Moran signed professional terms at Liverpool in January 1952 before making his debut in a 3-2 defeat at Derby County on November 22, 1952.

It was in season 1955-56 that Moran established himself as Liverpool's first choice- number three. The Reds were languishing in the Second Division at this time but Moran, a good marker who was rarely beaten by a winger for pace and was also something of a penalty expert, proved himself a consistent performer and he missed only six games between 1955 and 1959.

He was rewarded for his sterling service towards the latter part of the decade when he was handed the club captaincy. In 1961/62, after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, he played 16 games as the Reds finally regained their top-flight status and two seasons later was part of the Division One Championship winning side.

Injury problems then began to set in and he missed out to Gerry Byrne for the left back slot in the 1965 FA Cup Final win over Leeds United. He did, however, play in the famous Anfield victory over Internazionale three days later before playing his last competitive game for the Reds in the awesome setting of the San Siro stadium when Liverpool were controversially beaten in the second leg of the European Cup semi-final.

Moran retired from playing during the 1968-69 season and joined Bill Shankly's coaching staff, where he became a part of the famous Boot Room team. In 1972/73, in his first season as reserve team trainer, he guided the Reds second string to the Central League Championship.

Moran became a vital ingredient in the Liverpool success story with his shrewd knowledge of the game and the ability to get the best out of the players. He was a fine, loyal servant working under Shankly, Bob Paisley, and then Kenny Dalglish.

He became famous on the bench for his loud voice shouting instructions to the players which could be heard in the packed Kop.

When Dalglish sensationally announced his resignation as manager in 1991, Moran was installed as caretaker boss, a role he occupied for 10 games. However, he had placed on record he didn't want the job full-time and he stood down when Graeme Souness was appointed to the hottest seat in football, as successor to Kenny.

Moran remained on the coaching staff under Souness and then under friend Roy Evans when he took over as manager.

Moran announced his retirement from football and left Liverpool in 1998. He enjoyed a richly deserved testimonial match against Celtic in 2000, and is still a regular visitor to Anfield on matchdays.

Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship 1963/64, Second Division Championship 1961/62


Ronnie Moran