Ephraim Longworth
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Ephraim Longworth, (born 2 October 1887 died 1968), was an England international footballer for Liverpool in the early part of the twentieth century.
[edit] Life and playing career
Longworth, born in Halliwell, Bolton, Lancashire, England, noted for his lock of hair, was comfortable in either the right or left-back berths. He joined Bolton Wanderers in the first division of the Lancashire Combination in 1908 from Hyde FC and then moved to London signing for Southern League Clapton Orient (Became Leyton Orient upon the conclusion of World War ll). It was here that Liverpool manager Tom Watson spotted his potential and signed him in 1910. he made his debut on 19 September 1910 in a Football League First Division game at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, a game that Sheff Utd won 2-0.
Longworth went on to appear 370 times in a Red shirt unfortunately not scoring a goal for the Anfield club; in fact he went on the play until he was 40 years old. One of Liverpool's all time greats Ephraim has the distinction of being Liverpool's first ever England captain when he was given the job in only his second appearance a 2-0 against Belgium at the Oscar Bossaert Stadion, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Brussels in 1921. His debut for the national side was in 1920 and was just as memorable, England fought back from 4-2 down to beat bitter rivals Scotland 5-4 at Hillsborough. Longworth went on to gain 5 international caps all of which England remained unbeaten.
During his time at Anfield Longworth won back to back league titles in 1921-22 and 1922-23 and appeared in the 1-0 1914 FA Cup final defeat to Burnley in front of the reigning King George V.
Longworth's final game came 17½ years after his first appearance for the club, it came in a 2-0 defeat at St Andrews against Birmingham on 21 April 1928.
After retiring in 1928 Longworth stayed on at Liverpool in a coaching role. Ephraim died in 1968 forever a Liverpool legend.
[edit] Career details
- Liverpool F.C. (1910 - 1928) 371 appearances 2 Football League Championship medals (1922 - 1923), (he played his last game as a 40 year old)
- England (1920 - 1923) 5 caps (Ephraim also captained his country, the first Liverpool player to do so)
