Bob Pursell

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Robert 'Bob' Pursell ( Born 18th March 1889) was a footballer who played for Liverpool Football Club in the early 20th century.

[edit] Life and playing career

Born in Campbelltown, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, Pursell played for Queen's Park before being signed by Liverpool manager Tom Watson in April 1911, Liverpool were subsequently fined for not asking permission before approaching Pursell. Bob, a full-back, made his debut in a Football League First Division match a 2-1 victory over Sunderland at Roker Park on the 30th September 1911, his debut season saw him make 26 appearances in what was to be a disappointing one for the Reds just avoiding relegation from the top flight by a single point over Preston who went down with Bury. The following couple of season's were to prove to be a testing time for Pursell as he failed to hold down a regular spot in the starting 11, he did, however, manage to play in all of Liverpool's 8 cup ties, including the final, in their run to the FA Cup final of 1914. The game was to be played in front on a reigning monarch for the first time as King George V was to attend the last cup final to be played at the Crystal Palace Park on the 25th April 1914. Unfortunately, for the Reds, Burnley, the opponents for the day, were to run out 1-0 victors and Liverpool would have to wait a further 36 years before the Reds were to reach the show piece final and 51 years before they could take the cup back to Anfield for the very first time.

Pursell's career was curtailed for 4 years by the onset of the First World War but he did return to Anfield upon the outbreak of peace. However, Bob never broke into the Reds starting line-up and was only selected twice during the 1919/20 season, both times at Anfield and both times against Liverpool's bitterest rivals, Man United on Boxing Day 1919 and Everton the following day.

Pursell left Liverpool in 1920 departing for Port Vale.