Billy Liddell

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William Beveridge "Billy" Liddell (January 10 1922 - July 3 2001) was a Scottish international footballer who played for Liverpool Football Club throughout the 1940s and 1950s, helping them win the League in 1947.

[edit] Life and playing career

Born in Townhill near Dunfermline, Scotland, Billy's father was a coal miner who was determined that his son should not follow him down the pits. While playing for Lochgelly Violet at the age of 15, Liddell was spotted by Liverpool half-back Matt Busby who recommended him to Hamilton Academical manager Willie McAndrew, but when McAndrew was unable to offer Liddell the part-time job upon which his father insisted, Billy was signed by Liverpool, for whom he played his whole professional career, moving there in 1939. Because of Billy's dad insisting Billy worked as well as played, he could only train twice a week during the early days, how times have changed.

After serving as a Bomber Command pilot officer and pathfinder in the Second World War, during which Liddell tried to keep playing and played as a guest for Chelsea, Linfield, Cambridge Town, Toronto Scottish, Dunfermline and for the Scottish side which beat England 5-4 in a wartime international at Hampden Park.

Upon returning to Liverpool after the conclusion of the war, Liddell made his Liverpool debut on the 5th January 1946 in the first post-war competitive competition, the F.A Cup, the 3rd round 1st leg tie was at Sealand Road and Chester were the hosts, it proved to be a good day for Billy as he scored in the 30th minute in Liverpool's 2-0 win, also making his debut that day was one Bob Paisley.

Liddell was a major influence in the Reds side which won the 1946/47 Football League Championship, their first since 1923, Liddell appeared in 34 of the 42 games scoring 7 times. This proved to be the high point of Liddell's career, although he did have the honour of reprsenting Great Britain against the Rest of Europe, he and Stanley Matthews are the only two players to have played twice for the British select, they appeared in 1947 and 1955. Primarily a left-winger he was also comfortable playing on the opposite flank, centre-forward or inside-forward.

Liddell was also at the forefront of Liverpool's run to their first ever appearance at Wembley, playing in all 7 F.A Cup games scoring twice, it came on the 29th April 1950 against Arsenal, The Gunners spoilt the day for the Anfield club by recording a 2-0 victory.

Liddell was awarded 29 international caps for Scotland scoring 8 goals, his debut came on the 15th May 1946 at Hampden Park, Glasgow in a 3-1 victory over Switzerland, Billy celebrated his debut in stlye by scoring 2 of the Scottish goals in the 25th and 28th minute.

Liverpool's form slumped and they flirted with relegation on several occasions and it was a lot to do with Billy's ability that Liverpool avoided the drop so many times, Billy's display's were noticed by the fans who nicknamed the club 'Liddellpool.'

In 1953/54 Liverpool couldn't fend off the inevitable and were relegated, as his career progressed Liddell was given the captaincy and moved into the centre of midfield, but was unable to help Liverpool gain promotion before his retirement in 1961 aged 39. Liddell amassed 537 appearances for the Reds scoring 229 times, an incredible amount for a wideman turned central midfielder, he averaged a goal every 2⅓ games, considering a striker looks to score 1 in 3 you'd have to agree his strike rate compares with the best.

Billy qualified as a Justice of the Peace in 1958 and Liddell became bursar at the University of Liverpool after hanging up his boots.

Liddell died in 2001 of Alzheimer's disease. He was strong, fast and athletic and had a cannonball shot. On November 4th, 2004 he was honoured by Liverpool Football Club with a commemorative plaque at Anfield. Many people still believe he is the greatest player to ever turn out for the club.

Liddell was named the 6th most important player to ever play for Liverpool on 29th September, 2006 on the official Liverpool Football Club website after fans voted for the '100 Players Who Shook The Kop' which goes to show the legend of the man, many of the voters would have been too young to have memories of the him, but his name has been, and will be, past down in Liverpool folklore and he still commands great respect.

[edit] Career details

Liverpool F.C (1939 - 1961)†: 537 appearances, 229 goals - 1947 Football League Championship winner's medal, 1950 F.A Cup runners-up medal
Scotland (1946 - 1955): 29 appearances , 8 goals

† Billy's career was curtailed by the Second World War for 6 years