100 Players
Who Shook The Kop – the groundbreaking series that had every Liverpool fan
talking back in 2006 – is set to return this summer, here's my top ten countdown.
#10 - Elisha Scott
The legend
of Elisha Scott will live forever in Liverpool folklore.
The
Northern Ireland international is regarded by some as the greatest goalkeeper
ever to guard the Anfield net after 21 years on Merseyside which saw him tot up
nearly 500 appearances.
Born in Belfast,
he followed in the footsteps of his older brother Billy, who was a stopper for
Everton and Ireland.
Scott Jr
signed for Linfield aged just 14 but was soon moved on to Broadway United where
he learnt his trade until Billy recommended him to his peers at Goodison.
Fortunately
for Liverpool, Everton deemed him too young, and when Billy then tipped off
Anfield chairman John McKenna, the Reds did not hesitate in swooping for the
17-year old.
With the
experienced Kenny Campbell still keeping goal, young Scott was considered one
for the future. But it was not long before he made an impression.
The rookie
got his debut against Newcastle United on the first day of 1913, keeping a
clean sheet in the process.
In fact, so
accomplished was his performance at St James' Park, it prompted the Magpies to
offer £1,000 for the teenager there and then.
Scott was
informed of the bid on the way back to Liverpool and, believing that Campbell
would be difficult to dislodge, he thought it might be in his best interests to
leave. Liverpool's secretary/manager Tom Watson, though, wisely refused and
reassured the youngster that his future was at Anfield.
He was
right. Towards the end of the 1914-15 season Scott enjoyed an extended run as
Liverpool's first-choice keeper.
The advent of
World War One interrupted his progress but as the 1920s dawned he quickly
earned a reputation as one of the finest custodians around. One reporter wrote:
"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."
Scott won
the first of his 27 international caps in 1920 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.
The
shot-stopper 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 even ran onto the pitch and kissed him.
Unfortunately,
Liverpool failed to capitalise on their back-to-back title triumphs but Scott's
popularity never once waned.
The
unthinkable almost occurred in 1934 when Everton offered £250 for his services.
He was coming to the end of his career and the Reds were ready to accept the
offer until supporters flooded the local newspaper with letters of protest.
Despite the
public outcry, it was clear Scott's Anfield career was reaching a conclusion.
On February
21, 1934, he played his 467th and final game for Liverpool after being offered
a player/manager role at Belfast Celtic.
During the
final home game of the season, Scott gave a speech in the directors' box which
is said to have brought tears from even the most hardened of Kopites present.
He finally
retired from the game at the age of 42 in 1936 and continued to manage the
Belfast club until it folded in 1949.
Meanwhile,
Scott's appearance record at Anfield stood until 1957 when it fell at the hands
of Billy Liddell.
Two years
later the great man passed away.
Previous
Clubs:
Linfield,
Broadway United, Belfast Celtic
You can get
involved now by casting your vote of what you consider to be the 10 greatest
players in this club’s illustrious history. http://www.liverpoolfc.com/100pwstk
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