Accrington FC were invited to be one of the 12 teams for the inaugural Football League season and played their first game at Anfield. Though the opposition on the day were Everton rather than Liverpool who wouldn't be formed for another four years when an argument over rents forced the club to break from the land owner John Houlding who formed his own team to fill a then empty stadium.
Everton ran out 2-1 winners.
However, in a move that could have been a portent for the future the club resigned after just five years. Relegation to the Second Division after defeat in a play-off style "test match" with Sheffield United prompted the decision. Rather than the indignity of relegation a place in the Lancashire League was taken. The 'Owd Reds as they were known played five games before withdrawing their membership and formally folding.
Disbandment left Stanley Villa based at The Stanley Arms public house on Stanley Street as the town's only team. They incorporated Accrington in their name but didn't join the Football League in this guise at the beginning of the 1900-01 campaign remaining until part way through the 1961-62 season when financial problems crippled the club and caused its bankruptcy. A team which eventually became known as Accrington rose from the flames within months and took their place in the Lancashire Combination.
Further financial problems saw this club crumble too. Accrington remained without a football club for years when Stanley reformed following a meeting of the faithful at Bold Street Working Men's Club and gained a place in the county leagues.
The club has steadily progressed since and just a couple of seasons ago made a sensational return to league football.
But times were extremely tough for the re-formed club who had to build from nothing Funds Money had been tight at the club for most of its life but the early 1960s saw drastic measures employed to bring players in. As part of his civic duty the town's first citizen Alderman Wilfred Wallworks set up the Mayor's Appeal Fund and while it raised a decent sum of cash allowing some breathing space and even additions to the squad the funds couldn't bring in the quality of players required to stave off the club's plight and return of all sums to donors was mooted.
The club were member of the Football League from 1921 until their resignation midway through the 1961-62 campaign.
In 1921 the league had already established a Third Division consisting of a number of former Southern League sides and hoped to create a mirror in the north of the country. However, concerns raged over the financial viability if not the interest and the go ahead was only given when the Accrington directors suggested that each time deposit a sum by way of a security. Maybe as a result of this intervention the club was one of 14 invited to take their place in the Third Division North. The other half dozen places were decided by ballot.
The last match played in the Football League was played on 2nd March 1962 against Crewe Alexandra in bitterly cold and difficult conditions. There was to be no rip roaring farewell to warm the hearts of the faithful as a demoralised side suffered a 4-0 defeat.
Rochdale presented the first home opposition in the Football League. It was thought the Spotland outfit may well be their last when they met in the spring - almost every game for the past few months was suggested to be the one Stanley would participate in - but when the Accington players ran out at Gresty Road on a cold Friday night it very much seemed that baring any last minute interventions or better still a miracle this would indeed be it.
A sad farewell would be bid in the snow.
Crewe’s Terry Tighe may have felt more than an ounce of pity for his former club. A wayward backpass in the first minute certainly suggested as much. It very nearly crossed the line but a last ditch clearance spared any blushes and otherwise Alex keeper Jack Ferguson was a virtual spectator.
His opposite number Alex Smith who many suggested could become one of the best keepers in the game kept the score down. The stopper almost didn’t make the game. He had recently moved house which possibly led him to miss the team coach. With a storm looking likely there was no time to wait. Stanley’s officials wanted to fulfil the fixture so gave the order to head off. It seemed someone may need to deputise but Smith did manage rush home then make a mad sprint in a car and catch up with his teammates at Knutsford.
The club were forced to concede defeat in their battle for existence after the game. Unable to guarantee the ability to fulfil fixtures, pay players and other creditors there was only one course of action under Football League rules. Stanley resigned their place.
It was only four weeks earlier that news of the crisis had first broken. On February 12th 1962 Chairman Slinger tendered his resignation. Others soon followed including Vice-Chairman Ronald Walton.
Desperate times called for desperate measure including rumours of a possible merger or buy out by Burnley. Rumours of a move had been instigated by Vice-President Stan Pilkington. Bob Lord, The Clarets Chairman, was a long standing friend who vowed to do all he could. It would have been against well established League rules but a pledge by Lord that he alone rather than Burnley would make the rescue attempt and then only buy enough shares to qualify as a director.
Despite the speculation nothing came and on the 5th March 1962 at a creditors meeting the full picture of the club's debt came to light. Apart from the sums still owed to other clubs, The Inland Revenue and Ministry of Pensions had substantial sums due. An additional £40,000 in unsecured debt was also due a host of other organisations.
However, Sam Pilkington and his friend Bob Lord were said to be particularly upset by the failure to pay just under £500 worth of National Insurance stamps. Lord led the calls for closure and without the prospect of any further backers the board finally threw in the towel.
Stories of a mystery donor who had offered £10,000 cash in a bid to inject some money may prove apocryphal but there was a clamour to retract the resignation letter and club President William Crocker made written notice of withdrawal when he found out that most creditors had no wish to foreclose. In the week before the League Management Committee met to discuss the matter two games at home to Exeter City and Burnley in the Lancashire cup were postponed.
The match with Exeter was due to be played 24 hours before the meeting. As full members until any decision had been reached it seemed Stanley had every right to continue the fight and go ahead.
A bumper crowd was expected especially with Burnley and Blackburn Rovers both having away cup ties but league Secretary Alan Hardaker gave a direction that the game should remain cancelled. Legal precedence was key in the decision to accept the original letter by Hardaker and his colleagues and the news was confirmed on Monday 12th March 1962.
Legal reasons forced the club to drop the name Stanley in December 1963. The High Court wound up the former organisation Accrington Stanley (1921) Ltd. leading to the name change. Another effort to breathe life into the town's footballing tradition years later led to the formation of Accrington Stanley (1968) - though the year was eventually dropped and the old name reclaimed.
That 1968 incarnation who won back their Football League place in 2006 are not the same club as the one who swapped places with the team that replaced those predecessors Oxford United under devout Red John Coleman. At least strictly speaking but they are the team people associate with the town and that seemingly inglorious club with a unique history.
At Anfield tomorrow there will be buckets collecting funds for the club who once more are facing a battle against extinction due to an outstanding tax bill of £308,000 which needs to be paid by the end of October.
There will also be one at Ewood Park and Blackburn like Burnley are looking to stage a fund raising game. All manner of activity will take place to make sure Stanley are saved.
Accrington are over a quarter of the way to staving off an administration they are unlikely to survive and one brought about by their main sponsor going out of business rather than living beyond their means.
It caused a cashflow problem which could not be quickly resolved but Accrington want to pay the debt off in full rather than risk losing points and consequently going out of the league again.
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Friday 25 September 2009
Thursday 24 September 2009
A team of Carraghers?
On signing an extension to his contract in 2005 Jamie Carragher effectively stated he did not ultimately have the calibre to leave Liverpool and that bringing trophies to Anfield was the epitome of his ambition.
The club’s vice-captain was effectively claiming he was somehow punching above his weight merely by turning out in a red shirt. Alan Kennedy was just as candid with his self opinion and would often say he considered himself the worst player in the country’s best team.
Carra has never been of the class Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres plus others find so effortless. He works hard at every aspect of his game but while gliding through the gears would never be an option for the defender he has nonetheless made the most of his talents which may not be as modest as he claims.
While he so often appears to typify a rudimentary “all hands to the pump” style Jamie can play a bit and puts in the odd defence splitting ball or an astute pass for the fans to applaud with as much gusto as that reserved for his hearty defending.
More than any other player - Gerrard included - Carragher boyhood blue or not has typified the spirit of a fan on the pitch. It’s no co-incidence the Kop’s refrain is for a team of Carraghers rather than any of his teammates.
His tireless effort, will to play through injury, pain and those Istanbul cramps, countless blocks and dives at a goal bound ball are just what any Liverpool supporter would be prepared to do for the shirt.
There are of course limitations to his game which he constantly strives to improve - lack of pace and speed on the turn are notable. Versatility often identified as an asset can just as easily be a hindrance if it pigeon holes a career. It also can make the “utility man” first to give way when specialists are available.
However, this season he has laboured. Sometimes looking behind the tempo, cumbersome and unable to compensate.
Even organisation usually so vital in a top team and something Carra has had in bucket loads hasn’t made good the shortfall.
The hope is it’s a small blip in the 32 year old’s career rather than the onset of a lingering demise to a great servant’s contribution.
The club’s vice-captain was effectively claiming he was somehow punching above his weight merely by turning out in a red shirt. Alan Kennedy was just as candid with his self opinion and would often say he considered himself the worst player in the country’s best team.
Carra has never been of the class Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres plus others find so effortless. He works hard at every aspect of his game but while gliding through the gears would never be an option for the defender he has nonetheless made the most of his talents which may not be as modest as he claims.
While he so often appears to typify a rudimentary “all hands to the pump” style Jamie can play a bit and puts in the odd defence splitting ball or an astute pass for the fans to applaud with as much gusto as that reserved for his hearty defending.
More than any other player - Gerrard included - Carragher boyhood blue or not has typified the spirit of a fan on the pitch. It’s no co-incidence the Kop’s refrain is for a team of Carraghers rather than any of his teammates.
His tireless effort, will to play through injury, pain and those Istanbul cramps, countless blocks and dives at a goal bound ball are just what any Liverpool supporter would be prepared to do for the shirt.
There are of course limitations to his game which he constantly strives to improve - lack of pace and speed on the turn are notable. Versatility often identified as an asset can just as easily be a hindrance if it pigeon holes a career. It also can make the “utility man” first to give way when specialists are available.
However, this season he has laboured. Sometimes looking behind the tempo, cumbersome and unable to compensate.
Even organisation usually so vital in a top team and something Carra has had in bucket loads hasn’t made good the shortfall.
The hope is it’s a small blip in the 32 year old’s career rather than the onset of a lingering demise to a great servant’s contribution.
Wednesday 23 September 2009
Money spinning
Recently signed sponsorship deals have it seems buoyed the owners’ spirits about the financial vitality of Liverpool Football club and their ability to make good on their long overdue promises from February 2007.
A spade in the ground maybe even the arrival of Snoogy Doogy.
Standard Chartered £80 million spread over four years is however unlikely to see digging implement arrive in Stanley Park any time soon. Also promises to plough (every pun intended) substantial amounts of the newly acquired bounty into the team will need to be realised if Messrs. Hicks and Gillett are to so much as start earning any credibility.
Debt levels may be defined as manageable by the Americans but will still exist and remain substantial and in no small part levied against the club rather than their own assets.
A telling comment from Christian Purslow is that windfalls such as this will be reinvested in including salaries - a suggestion that much of the limited war chest Rafael Benitez had available during the summer just gone was swallowed up by pay increases for those who penned and the new season’s bonus structure.
Chances are another round of rises would limit the pot for January, summer 2010 and so on.
There was and remains a need for Liverpool to do better and as well as their contemporaries in raking additional finance in which is why the current shirt sponsors had to come up with more or be replaced from a host of possible suitors.
Carlsberg have enjoyed a long and fairly fruitful relationship for much of the past 18 years but over the past half decade or so the deal has worked better for one party than the other. The brewer’s flagship brand has seen prolonged and extensive exposure across every continent of the globe through the clamour for Champions League and Premiership football.
It led to saturation across all markets. £7.2 million per year was hardly the going rate and paled into insignificance when compared with the riches Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and many other clubs in the top flight enjoyed.
Not all commercial deals struck under the reign of Hicks and Gillett have been so profitable. Thomas Cook receive a significant percentage of the tickets for all home games in exchange for a mere £1.5 million which are retailed at a mark up which includes hotel stays.
Tourists to the city and corporate clients may be an intended market but no small number of fans who live in the city are resorting to it as a method of gaining tickets which are getting as valuable to hold as gold dust.
Deals for a host of away games including European ones such as the one to come with Fiorentina next week mixing admission with an overnight stay or just a flight there and back attract an equally attractive fee and mean fewer and fewer tickets make it into the hands of those fans who had previously been able to obtain them. The attractiveness of the match allowing higher prices to be charged.
To expect Standard Chartered to be so generous without clauses based on performance and trophy wins is was always naive. Even though the money which will come in is a huge improvement it seems certain that there are such clauses.
A minority investor is said to be looked for but again this possibly hides a true agenda. Along with the recent quotes of £240 million naming rights for the new stadium it smacks of an alternative strategy and it can only be concluded that the optimism and talk is merely aimed at flagging any possible sale and hyping up the price.
A spade in the ground maybe even the arrival of Snoogy Doogy.
Standard Chartered £80 million spread over four years is however unlikely to see digging implement arrive in Stanley Park any time soon. Also promises to plough (every pun intended) substantial amounts of the newly acquired bounty into the team will need to be realised if Messrs. Hicks and Gillett are to so much as start earning any credibility.
Debt levels may be defined as manageable by the Americans but will still exist and remain substantial and in no small part levied against the club rather than their own assets.
A telling comment from Christian Purslow is that windfalls such as this will be reinvested in including salaries - a suggestion that much of the limited war chest Rafael Benitez had available during the summer just gone was swallowed up by pay increases for those who penned and the new season’s bonus structure.
Chances are another round of rises would limit the pot for January, summer 2010 and so on.
There was and remains a need for Liverpool to do better and as well as their contemporaries in raking additional finance in which is why the current shirt sponsors had to come up with more or be replaced from a host of possible suitors.
Carlsberg have enjoyed a long and fairly fruitful relationship for much of the past 18 years but over the past half decade or so the deal has worked better for one party than the other. The brewer’s flagship brand has seen prolonged and extensive exposure across every continent of the globe through the clamour for Champions League and Premiership football.
It led to saturation across all markets. £7.2 million per year was hardly the going rate and paled into insignificance when compared with the riches Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and many other clubs in the top flight enjoyed.
Not all commercial deals struck under the reign of Hicks and Gillett have been so profitable. Thomas Cook receive a significant percentage of the tickets for all home games in exchange for a mere £1.5 million which are retailed at a mark up which includes hotel stays.
Tourists to the city and corporate clients may be an intended market but no small number of fans who live in the city are resorting to it as a method of gaining tickets which are getting as valuable to hold as gold dust.
Deals for a host of away games including European ones such as the one to come with Fiorentina next week mixing admission with an overnight stay or just a flight there and back attract an equally attractive fee and mean fewer and fewer tickets make it into the hands of those fans who had previously been able to obtain them. The attractiveness of the match allowing higher prices to be charged.
To expect Standard Chartered to be so generous without clauses based on performance and trophy wins is was always naive. Even though the money which will come in is a huge improvement it seems certain that there are such clauses.
A minority investor is said to be looked for but again this possibly hides a true agenda. Along with the recent quotes of £240 million naming rights for the new stadium it smacks of an alternative strategy and it can only be concluded that the optimism and talk is merely aimed at flagging any possible sale and hyping up the price.
Thursday 10 September 2009
Adding to the Crewe may cost Liverpool the Max
Could Max Clayton become Liverpool’s Gaël Kakuta? This blog, with tongue only slightly in cheek, wondered whether the owners would be tempted to report their own club to FIFA as illicit talent poachers.
With the American duo at the helm and in charge of purse strings it helps to have the occasional laugh as unbridled joy often seems a far away place.
Rows are engulfing almost every club deemed able to turn a young head. Chelsea are preparing their appeal. Manchester United are subject to a complaint from Fiorentina while Le Havre make noises. Stade Rennes are said to have already filed a report with the game’s ultimate governing body.
Both the Football and Premier League boards state they have not been asked to cast an eye Anfield’s way but Crewe Alexandra a club Liverpool have a “special relationship” with are said to be unhappy about the Reds’ pursuit of their best young player.
Just how high the heat may be turned up is another matter. Clayton knows of Liverpool’s interest following a previous enquiry when Danny O’Donnell left for Gresty Road. Crewe refused to make a swap deal even if weighted by cash in their favour plus the player they sought and paid £100,000 to take O’Donnell.
Should Clayton’s talent be as real as it appears he would rise to the top of the game but increasingly the big clubs want to bring those with promise through their own junior ranks rather than trust others - even those with a pedigree like Dario Gradi.
The development and investment made in the teenager so far deserves compensation and the suspicion is that no club will be careless enough to fall foul of the same regulations Chelsea are held to be in breach of.
Crewe and many clubs will be able to ask for better deals rather than expect to have their gems whipped away with the maximum fuss but minimum reward.
Player recruitment at that age range has been a murky one across many continents - Europe included - for many years. French clubs have taken some of Africa’s best and seen them turn out for Les Bleus rather than nations of birth. Belgian counterparts have followed suit. Spain and Portugal have used Latin America as their pools.
Selling on for profit and the larger more successful clubs feeding those with minimal financial resource has been the way ever since the game went professional and even before has been a way of life. It's a system no one really wants to change needs better regulation and rules which not only rewards clubs for their efforts but protects young men who for all the protection and help they will get due to their prodigious ability are vulnerable.
There should be no expectation that a quiet word to an agent or parents will lure a youngster to any club even if the cheque will contain six noughts.
With the American duo at the helm and in charge of purse strings it helps to have the occasional laugh as unbridled joy often seems a far away place.
Rows are engulfing almost every club deemed able to turn a young head. Chelsea are preparing their appeal. Manchester United are subject to a complaint from Fiorentina while Le Havre make noises. Stade Rennes are said to have already filed a report with the game’s ultimate governing body.
Both the Football and Premier League boards state they have not been asked to cast an eye Anfield’s way but Crewe Alexandra a club Liverpool have a “special relationship” with are said to be unhappy about the Reds’ pursuit of their best young player.
Just how high the heat may be turned up is another matter. Clayton knows of Liverpool’s interest following a previous enquiry when Danny O’Donnell left for Gresty Road. Crewe refused to make a swap deal even if weighted by cash in their favour plus the player they sought and paid £100,000 to take O’Donnell.
Should Clayton’s talent be as real as it appears he would rise to the top of the game but increasingly the big clubs want to bring those with promise through their own junior ranks rather than trust others - even those with a pedigree like Dario Gradi.
The development and investment made in the teenager so far deserves compensation and the suspicion is that no club will be careless enough to fall foul of the same regulations Chelsea are held to be in breach of.
Crewe and many clubs will be able to ask for better deals rather than expect to have their gems whipped away with the maximum fuss but minimum reward.
Player recruitment at that age range has been a murky one across many continents - Europe included - for many years. French clubs have taken some of Africa’s best and seen them turn out for Les Bleus rather than nations of birth. Belgian counterparts have followed suit. Spain and Portugal have used Latin America as their pools.
Selling on for profit and the larger more successful clubs feeding those with minimal financial resource has been the way ever since the game went professional and even before has been a way of life. It's a system no one really wants to change needs better regulation and rules which not only rewards clubs for their efforts but protects young men who for all the protection and help they will get due to their prodigious ability are vulnerable.
There should be no expectation that a quiet word to an agent or parents will lure a youngster to any club even if the cheque will contain six noughts.
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Falling over themselves
Over a fortnight after the event newspaper columns, TV broadcasts and radio airwaves remain filled with talk of diving. Possibly fuelled by Eduardo being part of the Croatia side which took on England at Wembley this evening the Arsenal forward remains a popular cut and paste option on keyboards.
However, is it fair that his name is the one most linked with the act of simulation? Also on the field and not made virtuous by his crisp white kit is Wayne Rooney.
There is no doubt that Eduardo put in one of the most outrageous examples of this type gamesmanship seen in recent weeks given that he seemed to make his way round Artur Boruc’s fingertips then reacted as if his heels had been clipped.
Arsenal would have won the tie without the theatrics but possibly had the game taken away from them over the weekend which followed when Rooney collided with Manuel Almunia. There was a crucial difference in that there was contact with the keeper but only because as he so often does Rooney anticipated he would run into the Almunia and did nothing more than adjust his shape to weather the clash.
There was no requirement for him to vault the oncoming Spaniard but leaving a foot in and then falling gave the referee a decision to make and due to shapes thrown by no means an easy one.
Like Eduardo the striker dusted himself down and scored the penalty but crucially the goal changed the game - its course and ultimately the result.
He did something similar for his country against Slovenia last Saturday but was less convincing about the impact. in fact TV replays would suggest there was none but Rooney‘s arms whirred in complaint to the referee - the comparative silence is deafening and many though acknowledging the debatable nature of the award praise the professionalism.
There is of course every chance that a coming together of players is totally innocent in intent from both the attacker and defender. This was the case at the Reebok Stadium in Liverpool’s last league game when Fernando Torres was stopped by a fair tackle but then went to ground after the secondary contact.
Torres didn’t cradle himself in a heap nor use gestures or appeal. Though prone for a period he got back to his feet. There were no shouts from any direction than those of a hopeful nature in the stands amongst the visiting fans. No one in a red shirt looked to do anything other than continue though with the controversy fresh in their minds the Bolton defenders made their thoughts known to the referee imploring that a booking be made.
When caught on the day diving is punishable by only a yellow card. The retrospective sanction of a two match ban is available for the same offence according to UEFA.
It fails to make for good justice or much sense but when have those been in huge supply at UEFA headquarters?
However, is it fair that his name is the one most linked with the act of simulation? Also on the field and not made virtuous by his crisp white kit is Wayne Rooney.
There is no doubt that Eduardo put in one of the most outrageous examples of this type gamesmanship seen in recent weeks given that he seemed to make his way round Artur Boruc’s fingertips then reacted as if his heels had been clipped.
Arsenal would have won the tie without the theatrics but possibly had the game taken away from them over the weekend which followed when Rooney collided with Manuel Almunia. There was a crucial difference in that there was contact with the keeper but only because as he so often does Rooney anticipated he would run into the Almunia and did nothing more than adjust his shape to weather the clash.
There was no requirement for him to vault the oncoming Spaniard but leaving a foot in and then falling gave the referee a decision to make and due to shapes thrown by no means an easy one.
Like Eduardo the striker dusted himself down and scored the penalty but crucially the goal changed the game - its course and ultimately the result.
He did something similar for his country against Slovenia last Saturday but was less convincing about the impact. in fact TV replays would suggest there was none but Rooney‘s arms whirred in complaint to the referee - the comparative silence is deafening and many though acknowledging the debatable nature of the award praise the professionalism.
There is of course every chance that a coming together of players is totally innocent in intent from both the attacker and defender. This was the case at the Reebok Stadium in Liverpool’s last league game when Fernando Torres was stopped by a fair tackle but then went to ground after the secondary contact.
Torres didn’t cradle himself in a heap nor use gestures or appeal. Though prone for a period he got back to his feet. There were no shouts from any direction than those of a hopeful nature in the stands amongst the visiting fans. No one in a red shirt looked to do anything other than continue though with the controversy fresh in their minds the Bolton defenders made their thoughts known to the referee imploring that a booking be made.
When caught on the day diving is punishable by only a yellow card. The retrospective sanction of a two match ban is available for the same offence according to UEFA.
It fails to make for good justice or much sense but when have those been in huge supply at UEFA headquarters?
Monday 7 September 2009
Would he lie to you?
Former S*n editor Kelvin McKenzie's appearance on BBC1 show 'Would I Lie to You' on Monday evening ended with him being named the host's liar of the week.
The irony.
The Beeb have employed McKenzie in various guies across TV and radio networks and batted off questions from concerned Liverpool fans who would like to see his paper's shameful and incorrect coverage of the Hillsborough disaster challenged.
As far as the show's title is concerned we all know the answer to the question with this individual.
The irony.
The Beeb have employed McKenzie in various guies across TV and radio networks and batted off questions from concerned Liverpool fans who would like to see his paper's shameful and incorrect coverage of the Hillsborough disaster challenged.
As far as the show's title is concerned we all know the answer to the question with this individual.
Sunday 6 September 2009
Babbling on
“The difference between players is not always the quality but their mentality.”
Rafael Benítez
Ryan Babel is just one in a long line of players stretching back many years to have discussed his frustrations about having a limited amount of time on the field. Sometimes it will be the first step towards the exit door.
More often than not it will spur a player on to work harder and give the manager a problem. It’s something the young Dutchman has done for over a year at a rough count. At one stage how the forward reacted would have told Rafa Benitez and the Liverpool fans much about his future at Anfield.
There is little problem with players moaning about the chances they receive. During the 1970s and 1980s plus much of the century’s last decade The Reds’ second string was full of professionals doing much the same thing to Roy Evans, Chris Lawler and subsequently Phil Thompson then Sammy Lee. They too were as often as not internationals desperate for an opportunity to arise but at least got a regular game no matter what the level. That isn’t something afforded to the current first team squad unless they are coming back from injury and even then rehabilitation can be carried out at Melwood with a return made in the first team rather than second string.
Though he failed to get anything above junior honours for England David Fairclough was one of those players who could walk in to most top flight teams yet at Anfield, for the most part, had to be content with the Central League. In eight seasons he made just over 150 senior outings but introductions from the bench contributed 62 appearances to that number. He featured as a non-playing substitute on 74 further occasions.
That Fairclough didn’t start so often was in part due to the quality ahead of him. He had to break through the pairing of Kevin Keegan and John Toshack then had not only Kenny Dalglish but Ian Rush to contend with nearer to the time he left Anfield. David Johnson also blocked his path for a spell.
Amongst his first notable contributions to Liverpool was pepping things up towards the end of the 1975-76 season as Queens Park Rangers threatened to pip Liverpool to the title. If The Reds had missed out there would have been no subsequent European Cup campaign and while the trophy may not have been headed towards Shepherds Bush some other club would certainly have tasted glory in Rome. It would also have meant that one of David’s most memorable games - against St Etienne at the quarter-final stage would never have taken place.
That same fixture has probably haunted David as to some extent it cemented his reputation as an impact player or a wildcard who would shake up the pattern of a troublesome game. He so often delivered just that and found vital goals. It earned him the nickname “Supersub” which was a tag he probably resented with the same passion displayed while turning out for Liverpool.
Part of the reason for that was that it obscured his ability and became all the wider public knew about him. Yet he was a fine player in his own right.
He would have got more opportunity in the modern game but with the exception of European competitions only one substitute was allowed throughout his career which not only gave the manager a decision to make over the type of player he wanted in the number 12 shirt - a forward wasn’t always preferred - but also lent itself to more frugal use of the replacement as tactical changes were a huge gamble and a hope that everyone else would come through unscathed.
Fairclough had exceptional pace, no small amount of skill but was also wildly unpredictable which scared defenders. Even his teammates had no idea what the striker would do in any given situation. He also had a tendency to drift in and out of matches.
Like his predecessor Ryan Babel scored an exceptional goal in the last eight of a European Cup match which helped see Liverpool through even if it was not the critical goal. Some of the actual similarities in the build up are striking such as ball out of a pressured defence chased down field and won even when the defender looked favourite to win the sprint having had a yard or so start.
Unfortunately something else is also clearly evident. When his amazing ability fails to reap a reward and this has summed up much of his contribution in the past few months his head and confidence drops.
In the former case literally as he fails to look around for options and just hammers forward. With the exception of his winning goal against Manchester United last term - which wasn’t his cleanest strike - so little has come off dueing the last 12 months. He will look devastating during a move than a second later yields the ball.
In so many ways Babel is also bedevilled by his versatility - so often a most skilful player’s worst enemy.
Though able to turn out on the left wing and he often did so during his first season it is not his favoured nor best position. His boots rarely brushed the whitewash and his tendency to come inside robbed Liverpool of the width he should have provided and saw him run straight into traffic gathered around the penalty area. Not only that the weapon of a cross into the middle was also lost unless someone overlapped. Full-backs would be hesitant to do so in case they were caught up field.
His fleetness of foot, physique not to mention his ability to beat players and score goals as a result of his preparatory work has been compared to a player of more recent times - Thierry Henry - since his teens. However, the former Arsenal man was a winger converted into a forward. Not vice-versa and that switch from centre to flank would not seem likely to be productive in this case. Arsene Wenger built not so much a team around Henry as one designed to service his needs and which allowed him to roam across the line even though he was a central striker.
That eventually proved a downfall which the Gunners are still attempting to redress.
Rafael Benitez will not indulge any player to that extent. At on stage that didn’t necessarily mean there was no future for Ryan as long as he became part of a team ethic and did well within it by listening to the manager and what is expected of him then carrying those instructions out.
In addition to issues of self-belief and ensuring he doesn’t lose his focus there are tactical matters he needs to address. These will improve as a matter of course but can be honed with work on the training field which will transfer itself on the pitch.
At his fastest and most potent there are few better in the role he would hope to fill as a second striker.
Running across the field as well as causing trouble with his speed along the ground when going straight ahead would make Babel a huge danger for any backline but without any overwhelming performances on the pitch the presence of others who can will carry out a specified task mitigates against that sort of role right now. Sometimes a move needs to be varied. That can be with a pass forwards, sideways or even behind as long as there is a change which doesn’t lose any impetus.
Ryan has the potential to be a similar player to a Thierry Henry but for that to be turned into reality requires some belief. The manager and fans have shown overshelming patience but with little reward in return. and believe in him.
The player himself needed to show the same virtue as well as persistence but in his half-baked plan to ensure he doesn't miss the World Cup of a loan with Ajax come January demonstrates he simply is not willing to match the example of a man signed during the same summer Yossi Benayoun.
Israel's captain may have more experience and seniority within the game but has found it equally difficult to cement a place in the first team for much of his time at Anfield.
However, at every given opportunity Benayoun makes the most of his chances and attempts to make himself as indispensable as possible to the manager's plans. The approach has paid off with not only a new contract but every chance of a starting place rather than some time warming teh bench or looking on from the directors' box.
After initially being dropped for Holland's round of fixtures this week Babel, recalled due to an injury suffered by Ibrahim Afellay, spoke to journalists and complained about not getting the playing time he was promised during the summer plus being dropped after a poor opening day outing against Tottenham.
Has performances that Sunday afternoon and many so far in a Liverpool shirt would not have earned a starting place at any level of football let alone the top flight. Stating he has been merely going through the motions would be a compliment.
Yet for some reason Ryan feels entitled to obtain a return to Amsterdam yet retain his Premiership kudos and no doubt the wage which comes with it.
His plea suggests he has already decided he is not likely or willing to put in five months hard work and will merely wait to see if an exit can be engineered.
Rafael Benítez
Ryan Babel is just one in a long line of players stretching back many years to have discussed his frustrations about having a limited amount of time on the field. Sometimes it will be the first step towards the exit door.
More often than not it will spur a player on to work harder and give the manager a problem. It’s something the young Dutchman has done for over a year at a rough count. At one stage how the forward reacted would have told Rafa Benitez and the Liverpool fans much about his future at Anfield.
There is little problem with players moaning about the chances they receive. During the 1970s and 1980s plus much of the century’s last decade The Reds’ second string was full of professionals doing much the same thing to Roy Evans, Chris Lawler and subsequently Phil Thompson then Sammy Lee. They too were as often as not internationals desperate for an opportunity to arise but at least got a regular game no matter what the level. That isn’t something afforded to the current first team squad unless they are coming back from injury and even then rehabilitation can be carried out at Melwood with a return made in the first team rather than second string.
Though he failed to get anything above junior honours for England David Fairclough was one of those players who could walk in to most top flight teams yet at Anfield, for the most part, had to be content with the Central League. In eight seasons he made just over 150 senior outings but introductions from the bench contributed 62 appearances to that number. He featured as a non-playing substitute on 74 further occasions.
That Fairclough didn’t start so often was in part due to the quality ahead of him. He had to break through the pairing of Kevin Keegan and John Toshack then had not only Kenny Dalglish but Ian Rush to contend with nearer to the time he left Anfield. David Johnson also blocked his path for a spell.
Amongst his first notable contributions to Liverpool was pepping things up towards the end of the 1975-76 season as Queens Park Rangers threatened to pip Liverpool to the title. If The Reds had missed out there would have been no subsequent European Cup campaign and while the trophy may not have been headed towards Shepherds Bush some other club would certainly have tasted glory in Rome. It would also have meant that one of David’s most memorable games - against St Etienne at the quarter-final stage would never have taken place.
That same fixture has probably haunted David as to some extent it cemented his reputation as an impact player or a wildcard who would shake up the pattern of a troublesome game. He so often delivered just that and found vital goals. It earned him the nickname “Supersub” which was a tag he probably resented with the same passion displayed while turning out for Liverpool.
Part of the reason for that was that it obscured his ability and became all the wider public knew about him. Yet he was a fine player in his own right.
He would have got more opportunity in the modern game but with the exception of European competitions only one substitute was allowed throughout his career which not only gave the manager a decision to make over the type of player he wanted in the number 12 shirt - a forward wasn’t always preferred - but also lent itself to more frugal use of the replacement as tactical changes were a huge gamble and a hope that everyone else would come through unscathed.
Fairclough had exceptional pace, no small amount of skill but was also wildly unpredictable which scared defenders. Even his teammates had no idea what the striker would do in any given situation. He also had a tendency to drift in and out of matches.
Like his predecessor Ryan Babel scored an exceptional goal in the last eight of a European Cup match which helped see Liverpool through even if it was not the critical goal. Some of the actual similarities in the build up are striking such as ball out of a pressured defence chased down field and won even when the defender looked favourite to win the sprint having had a yard or so start.
Unfortunately something else is also clearly evident. When his amazing ability fails to reap a reward and this has summed up much of his contribution in the past few months his head and confidence drops.
In the former case literally as he fails to look around for options and just hammers forward. With the exception of his winning goal against Manchester United last term - which wasn’t his cleanest strike - so little has come off dueing the last 12 months. He will look devastating during a move than a second later yields the ball.
In so many ways Babel is also bedevilled by his versatility - so often a most skilful player’s worst enemy.
Though able to turn out on the left wing and he often did so during his first season it is not his favoured nor best position. His boots rarely brushed the whitewash and his tendency to come inside robbed Liverpool of the width he should have provided and saw him run straight into traffic gathered around the penalty area. Not only that the weapon of a cross into the middle was also lost unless someone overlapped. Full-backs would be hesitant to do so in case they were caught up field.
His fleetness of foot, physique not to mention his ability to beat players and score goals as a result of his preparatory work has been compared to a player of more recent times - Thierry Henry - since his teens. However, the former Arsenal man was a winger converted into a forward. Not vice-versa and that switch from centre to flank would not seem likely to be productive in this case. Arsene Wenger built not so much a team around Henry as one designed to service his needs and which allowed him to roam across the line even though he was a central striker.
That eventually proved a downfall which the Gunners are still attempting to redress.
Rafael Benitez will not indulge any player to that extent. At on stage that didn’t necessarily mean there was no future for Ryan as long as he became part of a team ethic and did well within it by listening to the manager and what is expected of him then carrying those instructions out.
In addition to issues of self-belief and ensuring he doesn’t lose his focus there are tactical matters he needs to address. These will improve as a matter of course but can be honed with work on the training field which will transfer itself on the pitch.
At his fastest and most potent there are few better in the role he would hope to fill as a second striker.
Running across the field as well as causing trouble with his speed along the ground when going straight ahead would make Babel a huge danger for any backline but without any overwhelming performances on the pitch the presence of others who can will carry out a specified task mitigates against that sort of role right now. Sometimes a move needs to be varied. That can be with a pass forwards, sideways or even behind as long as there is a change which doesn’t lose any impetus.
Ryan has the potential to be a similar player to a Thierry Henry but for that to be turned into reality requires some belief. The manager and fans have shown overshelming patience but with little reward in return. and believe in him.
The player himself needed to show the same virtue as well as persistence but in his half-baked plan to ensure he doesn't miss the World Cup of a loan with Ajax come January demonstrates he simply is not willing to match the example of a man signed during the same summer Yossi Benayoun.
Israel's captain may have more experience and seniority within the game but has found it equally difficult to cement a place in the first team for much of his time at Anfield.
However, at every given opportunity Benayoun makes the most of his chances and attempts to make himself as indispensable as possible to the manager's plans. The approach has paid off with not only a new contract but every chance of a starting place rather than some time warming teh bench or looking on from the directors' box.
After initially being dropped for Holland's round of fixtures this week Babel, recalled due to an injury suffered by Ibrahim Afellay, spoke to journalists and complained about not getting the playing time he was promised during the summer plus being dropped after a poor opening day outing against Tottenham.
Has performances that Sunday afternoon and many so far in a Liverpool shirt would not have earned a starting place at any level of football let alone the top flight. Stating he has been merely going through the motions would be a compliment.
Yet for some reason Ryan feels entitled to obtain a return to Amsterdam yet retain his Premiership kudos and no doubt the wage which comes with it.
His plea suggests he has already decided he is not likely or willing to put in five months hard work and will merely wait to see if an exit can be engineered.
Friday 4 September 2009
Poachers turned gamekeepers?
Chelsea's spot of bother with FIFA, appeal pending, will lead to them being unable to spend in the next two transfer windows.
While keeping their hands firmly in their pockets until January 2011 may well suit Tom Hicks and George Gillett surely neither of the pair will beat a path to the governing body's door to file complaints about illegal inducements to young players.
While keeping their hands firmly in their pockets until January 2011 may well suit Tom Hicks and George Gillett surely neither of the pair will beat a path to the governing body's door to file complaints about illegal inducements to young players.
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