Three Cathedrals Of Football

Since our first game against Reykjavik in 1964 we’ve played teams from most of the 50 countries that make up Europe, which got me thinking what are the best stadiums and cities I’ve visited while following the Liverbird? The three I have chosen are considered to be the real cathedrals of football and some of the most difficult to get a result in, we’ve managed to get a win in all three in recent years… as the banner said “Them Scousers Again”.

Camp Nou

Barcelona 1:2 Liverpool – Deco, Craig Bellamy, John Arne Riise

Champions League Last 16, 1st Leg

Visited: 21st February 2007

From main station: Metro, five minutes on L5 from Sants Estacio to Collblanc

Camp Nou is the largest football stadium in Europe and home to FC Barcelona. It has a capacity of 99,354 seats. FC Barcelona, the proud visualisation of everything that is Catalan, like to say that they are ‘mès que un club’ (more than a club). Their home trounces any other in Europe for size. On a summer’s night, with the lights of the city twinkling behind spectators and the players mere specks on the far-off playing pitch, you certainly feel the expansiveness.

The City of Barcelona

There are bigger, grander, posher cities in Europe. It may not share the profile of a London, New York or Paris. But I've yet to find a place that packs so much into such a small space. There's attractions galore. Something for you whether you're sports mad, a culture vulture or just like sitting a Spanish street watching the world go by. It's great for a weekend but you can spend a week here, no problem. Throw in a world standard football team and the most famous half-built cathedral in the world, and you surely can't go far wrong. But perhaps the real magic of Barcelona is that it's a city you can wander and endlessly discover. The Ramblas, the long straight bustling tourist thoroughfare stretching down to the harbour, may well be where your holiday begins - but Barcelona is far more than just those bird sellers, actors and endless street bars. It is a people's city, a working class city. Madrid oozes class and sophistication but Barca is all grit and pride. Scrape below the tourist hype and you'll find a slice of real urban Spain. The more you explore it, the more you will enjoy it.

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

Internazionale 0:1 Liverpool - Fernando Torres

Champions League Last 16, 2nd Leg

Visited: 11th March 2008

From main station: From Milano Centrale, Milano Porta Garibaldi and Milano Lambrate stations take underground line 2 (MM2 direction Abbiategrasso), change at Cadorna FN metro station, take underground line 1 (MM1 direction Rho-Fiera) and get off at Lotto metro station. From Milano Porta Genova station, take underground line 2 (MM2 direction Cologno/Gessate), change at Cadorna FN metro station, then take underground line 1 (MM1 direction Rho-Fiera), and get off at Lotto metro station.

Stadio Guiseppe Meazza, is the home of Milan clubs AC Milan and FC Internazionale.The stadium has a capacity of 80,018 seats. Better known as the ‘San Siro’ after the district where it sits like a hulking UFO, the Giuseppe Meazza is the pick of Italian calcio stadiums. The San Siro makes for a unique cauldron for the weekly dramas that dictate the lives of tifosi (fans) of both teams. Match day here is like an oversized Verdi opera production, with a colourful cast of thousands, carefully choreographed displays of support, and heroes and villains on both sides.

The City of Milan

Milan. Think high fashion. High class handbags. Cutting edge clothes. Grand. Expensive. Very expensive. Those were the words that sprang into my head when I jetted off to the unofficial, self-proclaimed capital of northern Italy. And at first glance, much of the above can be said to be true. A shoppers' paradise with classic architecture to boot - and yes, in the wrong places it can puncture a very large hole in the wallet. But if you can take a walk away from the heavily touristy areas and there is much more to this city. There are definitely districts worth a wander, most within walking distance of the middle. And you're rarely far from a place to linger for a drink or a pizza, if you don't mind the price. The best place to start is at the Duomo. It's Milan's big cathedral, a quite outstanding building that's in the heart of the city. Take a wander inside - and, if it's a clear day head to the rooftop terrace for a view as far as the Alps. It's free to wander inside and take a look, with a charge for the rooftop.  In front of the cathedral is Piazza del Duomo, an open square where tourists can run the gauntlet of some of the more persistent hawkers I’ve had the displeasure of encountering. Even if you're not a big shopper, you need to take a look inside the Galleria, Italy's first and probably most famous shopping arcade. Manchester Arndale it is not. With the Duomo in front of you, the arcade is off to the left. The glorious interior, from ceiling to floor, are as big an attraction as the items in the stores themselves. And that's saying something. It's a who's who of the biggest names in world fashion. Head to the middle and you have four classic names, one in each corner. Prada, Bernasconi, Louis Vuitton… and… wait for it… a McDonalds. The big yellow arches have reached here - although in deference to the surroundings they're not quite as big, or yellow. Continue through the arcade and out the other side where you arrive in Piazza de la Scala, home of the La Scala opera house. Now to those in the opera know, this is the home of opera. This is the very heart of Milan, which with its classical feel is host to dozens of galleries and museums, too many to list here. Although special mention needs to go to Leonardo de Vinci's The Last Supper, one of the world's most famous paintings, which can be found at Santa Maria dell Grazie. Maybe Milan isn't the most Italian of Italian cities. It does have its rich side, maybe even appear initially a little aloof but cut through some first impressions and I have to say the welcome was as warm as anywhere.

Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Real Madrid 0:1 Liverpool - Yossi Benayoun

Champions League Last 16, 1st Leg

Visited: 25th February 2009

From main station: Metro, Line 1 to Tribunal, then Line 10 to Santiago Bernabeu

Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is the third largest stadium of Europe and home to Real Madrid CF. It currently has a capacity of 85,454 seats. You need to come to the Bernabéu twice. Come once to approach it at leisure, circumnavigate the towering stadium and tour Real Madrid’s superb museum. Like many clubs, Real Madrid boast that they are by far the greatest team the world has ever seen. Unlike anyone else, they’ve got nine European Cups on display in the museum to prove their credentials. Come back for a match, preferably an evening game against deadly rivals Barcelona, when it feels like the crowd are about to topple onto the pitch and the noise is deafening. A blasting from the heaters, which keep fans rugged up against the chilly Madrid winter nights, is quite an experience, too.

The City of Madrid

Whereas Barcelona clearly has no time for Madrid, the Spanish capital gives the distinct impression of looking down its nose at its Catalan neighbour. Madrid is a wealthy, sophisticated city. It oozes style and class through its buildings and its people. Classic buildings line the wide tree lined avenues as you head into the city. It sees itself as more sophisticated than the rest of Spain, a city of finance, business, the classics and money, with traditional tapas bars on ever corner. At its heart is the Plaza Mayor. In years gone by the courtyard hosted bullfighting. Now its grand setting has made way to continental street cafes. It's the ultimate meeting point with street entertainers and artists ready to draw your portrait - if it takes your fancy. The grandest building in town is the Palacio Real, a magnificent palace home to hundreds of rooms which you can pay a visit to. It's an official residence of the King of Spain who doesn't live there but is a frequent host for ceremonial events. One definite highlight - and it's free - is a weekend walk in the park. Of a weekend, the people of Madrid flock to Parque del Beun Retiro, directly behind the Prado museum. It's a vast park but full of life at the weekends when there's street entertainers, stalls and more around the central boating lake. There's even a few cafes and bars well worth stopping at and watching the world go by. Hop off metro stop Retiro - alternatively it's a 30 minute walk from Sol. scratch the cities surface and you will be charmed by its friendliness, laid back feel - and of course, its football. A lot of the magic can be found in the districts you stumble upon. The restaurants of the Cortes area to the east of Sol busy all day and most of the night to name but one, a contrast to the more touristy and at times seedy parts of Gran Via. Late into the night, locals and tourists are wandering the streets - Madrid doesn't shut early.

Follow @Glady_Libs_LFC

Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame #21

Welcome to my weekly blog “The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame” every week I’ll be adding two new additions, one will be a Liverpool Legend or fans favourite, the other a Player, Manager or Club who have contributed to the world game we all love (Gary Neville need not worry). Please comment below who you’d like to see make the IBHoF, here are this weeks entries. YNWA

ALBERT SHELLEY

1936/59 (Trainer) - 1959/71 (General Staff)

Albert “Bert” Shelley was probably the original Anfield Boot Room old Boy. Born in Romsey, Hampshire and after starting in local football, had a distinguished career in military football whilst serving in India and Egypt during the First World War. In India, he served with the 2nd/5th Hampshire Territorials and was a member of the Battalion side which reached the semi-finals of the Calcutta Cup tournament in 1915. By 1918, he was in Egypt with the 1st/4th Wiltshires with whom he won the Divisional Cup.

Following his demobilisation, he signed for Eastleigh Athletic in November 1919, but within weeks had signed for Southampton who were trying to rebuild their side in readiness for their entry into the newly formed Football League Third Division South at the end of the season. After spending a few months in the reserves, Shelley was given his big chance in the first team when Arthur Andrews broke his leg in an FA Cup tie at West Ham in January 1920. In the absence of a recognised right-half, the directors were pondering buying a replacement but they were persuaded by the club trainer, former England right-half Bert Lee, to "give the young Shelley a chance".

Shelley made his debut in the Southern League in a 2–2 home draw with Cardiff City on 17 January 1920. He rapidly gained considerable repute as a consistent, reliable half-back in the "stopper mould", having the knack of smothering opposing forwards by his ability to anticipate and intercept through-balls. The Saints won the 1921–22 Football League Third Division South championship, the half back line of Shelley, Campbell and Turner cemented Saints place in the Second Division over the next few years, Shelley was not selected for full international honours, but was a member of an F.A. XI which toured South Africa in 1929. In his long playing career for Southampton, he made 410 league and 38 FA Cup appearances, scoring nine goals. His total of 448 appearances remained a club record until passed by Tommy Traynor in the mid-1960s.

Following his retirement from playing, he remained at The Dell as coach to the club's first "nursery" team which competed in the Hampshire League. His success with the youngsters led to him being asked by manager George Kay to take over as first-team trainer following the retirement of his mentor, Bert Lee in 1935, When George Kay left to take over at Liverpool, he took Shelley with him. At Anfield, Shelley was a part of Kay's coaching staff, helping the Reds take the Football League championship in 1946–47. After Kay's retirement in 1951, Shelley remained a member of the coaching staff under Don Welsh and then Phil Taylor until 1959, when Bill Shankly became manger Albert continued his involvement with the club by looking after the Anfield treatment room and generally helping out wherever else he could, famed for his 'no-nonsense' approach and his ' cold bucket of water' treatment for most injuries.

He also helped the young Bob Paisley who was learning his trade as an apprentice physiotherapist and masseur, he said “The first person I ever treated was Albert Shelley, our first-team trainer, for a boil on his backside. Albert was one of the old school. He taught me how to harden my hands with the towels. When the physio machines came in I had to show him how to use them, but he never really came to terms with them. He had a common-sense approach to the practical side of it, but he was frightened by the electrical stuff, he even used to put a handkerchief on the leads. So when the machines came in I virtually took over the treatment of all the players." Albert remained on the general staff in an unofficial capacity helping with the more menial tasks until his death in December 1971, aged 72.

BORN: Romsey, Hampshire. 11.8.1899.

DIED: Liverpool. 29.12.71 (aged 72).

CLUBS: 1915–1919 Military football, 1919 Eastleigh Athletic, 1919–1932 Southampton.

*************************************************************************************************************

MARCO VAN BASTEN

Marco Van Basten was no disciple of the Dutch ideal of Total Football. He was not one for drifting into midfield or out on to the wing a la Cruyff but instead was a goalscorer pure and simple. As Cruyff himself once remarked: 'He doesn't influence the play very much, but he decides matches.'

And when it came to scoring goals, particularly ones that decided important matches, nobody did it better than Van Basten. This tall, athletic striker lit up the 1988 European Championships with a hat-trick against England, a late winner against West Germany in the semi-finals and a memorable angled volley in the final against the USSR to secure a 2-0 victory for Holland. Yet he had started the tournament as only his team's third choice striker.

The Marco Goalo story began in Utrecht but it was the Amsterdam giants Ajax who signed the teenager after spotting him at the club's annual youth talent gala. His first appearance for Ajax was as a substitute for the great Cruyff and by 1986 he was Europe's leading marksman, his 37 goals that season earning him the coveted Golden Boot. With Van Basten spearheading their attack, Ajax carried off two Dutch Championships, two Dutch Cups and, in 1987, the European Cup Winners' Cup at the expense of Lokomotiv Leipzig. Naturally Van Basten scored the only goal of the game. The following season he moved to AC Milan for £1.5 million, having scored an astonishing 128 League goals for Ajax in just 143 appearances.

Forming a formidable partnership with fellow Dutch striker Ruud Gullit, Van Basten helped Milan to their first Serie A title in nine years, although his appearances were severely restricted by an ankle injury. More significantly, his goals enabled Arrigo Sacchi's team to lift successive European Cups in 1989 and 1990, Van Basten scoring twice against Steaua Bucharest in the first of those finals. In the wake of the European Championships the accolades flowed thick and fast -European Footballer of the Year in 1988, 1989 and 1992; World Footballer of the Year in 1988 and 1992; and FIFA World Player of the Year in 1992.

He continued to re-write the record books, his spree against Malta in 1990 making him the first Dutch player to score five goals in an official international. A rare lapse occurred in the 1992 European Championships when he missed a decisive penalty in the semi-final shoot-out against Denmark. Holland were eliminated and Van Basten announced his retirement from international football shortly afterwards.

Domestically, he helped Milan to two more League titles, galvanized by a purple patch of thirteen goals in fifteen games against the meanest defences in club football. However, amid all this success a dark cloud loomed on the horizon. The ankle injury-a legacy of being hacked mercilessly by tough-tackling defenders - flared up again, necessitating two operations. What would turn out to be his last competitive game was Milan's contentious 1-0 defeat by Olympique Marseille in the 1993 European Cup Final. Marseille were subsequently stripped of the victory and their French League title after the club's owner, Bernard Tapie, was found guilty of paying three Valenciennes players to take it easy in a League match a week before the European final.

Van Basten eventually gave up on his struggle to regain fitness in August 1995 and was forced to retire from the game at the age of 30. He had scored 90 goals in 147 matches for Milan and had set a European Cup record haul of eighteen goals in 23 games for the club. He was also the leading marksman twice in Serie A. Other players may have scored more spectacular goals but when it came to the big occasion, no one could match Marco Van Basten.

BORN: Utrecht, Netherlands. 31.10.64.

CLUBS: 1981–1987 AFC Ajax, 1987–1995 AC Milan.

INERNATIONAL CAREER: Netherlands 1983-1992, Caps 58, Goals 24.

*************************************************************************************************************

The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame welcomes you both. YNWA

Follow @Glady_Libs_LFC

Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame #20

Welcome to my 20th weekly blog “The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame” every week I’ll be adding two new additions, one will be a Liverpool Legend or fans favourite, the other a Player, Manager or Club who have contributed to the world game we all love (Gary Neville need not worry). Please comment below who you’d like to see make the IBHoF, here are this weeks entries. YNWA

RONNIE WHELAN

1980/81 - 1994/95

At best inspirational, at worst remarkably consistent, Ronnie Whelan was at the heart of almost every Liverpool triumph of the eighties. The Eire international's deceptively simple, almost matter-of-fact midfield method exerted a powerfully pervasive influence which increased with the passing years.

When the sandy-haired Dubliner breezed into Bob Paisleys side in 1981, he made an exciting impact with spectacular goals and an infectious, ambitious style of play which, though exhilarating when Ronnie was on song, sometimes resulted in the ball being lost unnecessarily. Maturity taught him to do the simple thing, and to do it well, with the result that he could be counted on to perform reliably in any company, on any occasion.

When Ronnie - whose father, Ron Snr, also wore the Republic's green shirt - left Home Farm in October 1979, his destination might have been Old Trafford rather than Anfield. He had spent three summer holidays with Manchester United as a schoolboy but was allowed to slip through their recruitment net. The Red Devils loss was to be Liverpool's gain and, 18 months after crossing the Irish Sea, he marked his League debut – against Stoke in front of the Kop - with a goal. It was October 1981, however, before he outstripped his countryman Kevin Sheedy, who was later to build a successful career with Everton, in the race to replace Ray Kennedy on the left side of the Reds' midfield.

In his first campaign as a regular, Ronnie could do little wrong. As well as picking up a title medal, he scored twice in the Milk Cup victory over Spurs at Wembley and received a Young Player of the Year award. To cap it all, no less a judge than Joe Mercer compared him to that great Northern Irish inside-forward of several decades earlier, Peter Doherty. Ronnie maintained his progress the following season but suffered a setback in 1983/84 when a hand injury kept him out of the side until November. On his return he seemed to have lost impetus and there were fears that he was drifting out of long-term contention, but the exit of Graeme Souness changed all that.

In the absence of the former skipper, Ronnie tightened up his game and accepted new responsibility to become a better all-round player than ever before. His distribution became more efficient, his tackling attained a keenly abrasive edge, and there was a new purpose about everything he did. As a bonus, the new Whelan retained his habit of scoring sensational goals, none more breathtaking than the first-time 25-yard curler past Gary Bailey which took the 1985 FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United into extra time.

As his medal collection burgeoned, so did his versatility. At various times he occupied all the midfield positions and filled in effectively at left-back when Jim Beglin broke his leg in early 1987. Then, in the subsequent season when costly newcomers were grabbing all the headlines, Ronnie enjoyed his best term to date. Moving into a central role to create extra space for John Barnes on the left, he was a revelation, his quickfire passing and selfless running off the ball winning new and much-deserved acclaim. His enthusiasm and level-headed approach were rewarded with the captaincy when Alan Hansen was sidelined for most of 1988/89 and he led the Reds to FA Cup triumph over Everton at Wembley.

Come 1990, Ronnie was vastly experienced though not yet 30 and he was expected to play a pivotal role as Liverpool sought to extend their dominance of English football into a new decade. Sadly, his outings over ensuing seasons were to be curtailed cruelly by injuries, and, surprisingly, when he was fit he was not always selected by Souness. In September 1994, he was freed to join Southend United and 10 months later was promoted to player-boss. After an encouraging start, there followed difficult times at Roots Hall and come 1997 Ronnie Whelan was seeking a new arena in which to test his managerial mettle.

BORN: Dublin, Ireland. 25.9.61. GAMES: 459 (17). GOALS: 73.

CLUBS: Home Farm, Liverpool, Southend United 94/5-95/6 (34, 1).

HONOURS: European Cup 83/4. League Championship 81/2, 82/3, 83/4, 85/6, 87/8, 89/90. FA Cup 85/6, 88/9. League Cup 81/2, 82/3, 83/4.

INERNATIONAL CAREER: 53 Republic of Ireland caps (81-95).

*************************************************************************************************************

GIANNI RIVERA

Few players have divided Italian public opinion more sharply than Gianni Rivera, the slim, skilful inside-forward known as 'The Golden Boy'. Many considered him to be the country's outstanding player of his era, a 'must' for the national side; others thought he was over-rated, over-indulged and distinctly lacking in courage. The result was that this stylish midfielder never really received the recognition he deserved.

Rivera moved with such poise that he seemed to float through matches on a cushion of air. His range of passing was unrivalled in Italy at the time and he possessed the ability to unlock the most fortress-like defence with one penetrating ball. And whilst he may have shirked the odd tackle, who could blame him, given the predominance of hatchet men in Italy in the 1960s?

Gianni Rivera was born in the Valle San Bartolomeo, a province of Alessandria, and it was with Alessandria that he made his Serie A debut against Inter Milan in June 1959. During that summer he was spotted by AC Milan's general manager Giuseppe Viani playing in an exhibition training game. It is said that Viani thought he was seeing double as the Uruguayan Juan Schiaffino - who had been rated one of the top five players in the world - was also playing and the two midfielders looked very similar in both physique and talent. Suitably impressed, Milan arranged for Rivera to join them at the end of the following season.

Rivera had played only 26 games for Alessandria (scoring six goals) so it was quite a step up but he took it all in his elegant stride. In only his second season in Milan, the eighteen-year-old helped the club to the League title and a year later he played a major part in the 2-1 European Cup Final victory over Benfica at Wembley, providing the pass for José Altafini to equalise Eusebio's goal. The next few years saw a downturn in fortunes for both Milan and Rivera, winning only the Coppa Italia in 1967. But the next year, with Rivera as captain, the club captured both the League title and the European Cup Winners' Cup. Further success followed in 1969 with a second European Cup (beating Ajax 4-1 in the final) and Rivera being voted European Footballer of the Year - the first native-born Italian to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

Having helped an under-strength Italy to fourth place at the 1960 Rome Olympics, Rivera had made his debut with the full national side in 1962. He went on to play in four World Cup tournaments. He escaped blame for the poor showing in 1962 but was made a scapegoat for Italy's disastrous defeat at the hands of North Korea in 1966. Coach Ferruccio Valcareggi chose to leave Rivera out of the opening games in 1970 but he made his mark when coming on as substitute in the semi­-final against West Germany, first committing the error that allowed Gerd Müller to tie the score at 3-3 and then scoring Italy's dramatic winner. Nevertheless he only appeared for the last six minutes of the final against Brazil. When the beaten finalists returned home they were greeted in true Italian fashion with a bombardment of rotten tomatoes, the exception being Rivera who was cheered by supporters puzzled as to why he had not been allowed to play a greater part in the tournament.

Rivera remained with Milan until 1979, scoring a total of 124 goals in 501 matches. During the seventies he picked up another European Cup Winners' Cup medal, a third League title and three more Italian Cups. He finished Serie A top scorer in 1973 (with seventeen goals) but in the same year accused the establishment and referees of colluding against Milan and favouring Juventus - remarks that led to a heavy fine and suspension. Given his aptitude for stirring up controversy, it came as no surprise when he went into Italian politics.

BORN: Valle San Bartolomeo, Italy. 18.8.43.

CLUBS: 1959–1960 Alessandria, 1960–1979 AC Milan.

INERNATIONAL CAREER: Italy 1962–1974, Caps 60, Goals 14.

*************************************************************************************************************

The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame welcomes you both. YNWA

Follow @Glady_Libs_LFC

Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame #19

Welcome to my weekly blog “The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame” every week I’ll be adding two new additions, one will be a Liverpool Legend or fans favourite, the other a Player, Manager or Club who have contributed to the world game we all love (Gary Neville need not worry). Please comment below who you’d like to see make the IBHoF, here are this weeks entries. YNWA

STEVE NICOL

1982/83 - 1994/95

No player is indispensable at Liverpool. Neither the departure of Rush nor the retirement of Dalglish left a vacuum which was not filled swiftly and successfully; that is the Anfield way. But, throughout most of the eighties and the early nineties, if there was one performer who might have been missed more than any other, one for whom the manager might have longed most wistfully, especially in the depths of an injury crisis, that man was Steve Nicol.

The versatile Scottish international, Footballer of the Year in 1989, acquitted himself with distinction in every back-four and midfield position, and epitomised all that was best about the modern Reds. Enthusiastic and determined, Steve boasted a rich range of soccer assets: his touch on the ball - despite his need for size 14 boots - was sure and often subtle, his passing was accurate and imaginative, his tackle was firm. He was rarely found to lack power in the air or pace in a sprint, he possessed boundless stamina, and his classy finishing put many a striker to shame.

Steve was imported to Anfield as £300,000 worth of raw teenage talent from Ayr United in October 1981. Then principally a right-back, he immediately found himself in the shadow of the consistent Phil Neal and was consigned to the reserves to complete his soccer education. If there were ever any doubts about his potential they were quickly stilled in an early Central League encounter in which he picked up the ball in his own penalty box and beat five opponents as he ran the length of the field to score the winner.

His initial outings deputising for Neal, on the infrequent occasions that the England stalwart was injured, bode well for the future. Despite his inexperience, Steve revelled in the responsibility, revealing an eagerness for the ball and the initiative to use it constructively, and clearly it could not be long before he claimed a first-team place. The breakthrough came in October 1983 when Craig Johnston was injured and Steve slotted into midfield. His 19 League appearances were enough to earn a title medal and he went on to play his part in that term's European Cup Final, coming on as substitute against Roma and volunteering to take Liverpool's first penalty in the deadlock-breaking shoot-out. He missed, but still took home a winner's medal.

The following campaign saw him cement his place, mainly at the expense of Sammy Lee, before he reverted to right-back when Neal left the club early in the League/FA Cup double campaign of 1985/86. Back in his original role, Steve was magnificent, but any chance of settling there was destroyed by groin problems which kept him out of action for two thirds of the ensuing season. A return to full fitness saw him reach yet greater heights of form and over the next three years he gave full rein to his adaptability. A competent spell at centre-back in the absence of Alan Hansen revealed a new aspect of his talent, though the right side of midfield was perhaps his most effective niche. From that position he had the scope to be a potent attacking force and contributed some memorable goals, notably a crisp hat-trick - including a sublime chip over the advancing 'keeper - at Newcastle in September 1987, and the sweetest of lobs against Southampton in the FA Cup in February 1990.

The sight of Steve, red hair sticking up dripping with sweat and huge feet dancing over the ball, became an inspiring and reassuring one for Reds fans during a period of fabulous success and on into leaner times. Injuries and the advancing years reduced his effectiveness slightly during his final days at Anfield, but often his experience proved priceless as the team underwent a time of transition. When he was freed to join Notts County in January 1995, Liverpool appeared not to be short of high-quality replacements. But, as events have proved, rare mettle indeed will be needed to equal the durability and achievements of Steve Nicol.

BORN: Irvine, Ayrshire. 11.12.61. GAMES: 437 (17). GOALS: 45.

CLUBS: Ayr United 79/80-81/2 (70, 7); Notts County 94/5-95/6 (32, 2); Sheffield Wednesday 95/6-97/8 (49, 0);West Bromwich Albion on loan 97/8 (9, 0).

HONOURS: European Cup 83/4. League Championship 83/4, 85/6, 87/8, 89/90. FA Cup 85/6, 88/9, 91/2.

INERNATIONAL CAREER: 27 Scotland caps (84-91).

*************************************************************************************************************

ZICO

Ever since Pele's retirement, Brazilian fans had been waiting for a new ball-juggling genius to come off the conveyor belt. They eventually found him in Zico, an impudent magician who duly became dubbed 'The White Pele'. Although he never quite lived up to that billing-certainly not in terms of World Cup success- his 52 goals in the famous yellow shirt made him Brazil's second-highest goalscorer behind the great man himself.

The youngest of five footballing brothers, Artur Antunes Coimbra was born in Rio de Janeiro and signed for Flamengo as a fifteen-year-old. His skill was not in question, but his physique was.The coaches deemed him too frail to be able to cope with the rough and tumble of South American football so they put him on special diets, courses of vitamins and an intensive weight-training programme. The regime paid off thanks in no small part to his determination to make it to the top and in 1973 he was at last considered strong enough to make his first-team debut. Zico had arrived.

He scored over 100 goals in his first two seasons and was named South American Player of the Year in 1977-an honour he would win on two further occasions, in 1981 and 1982. Having marked his international debut against Uruguay in 1976 by scoring with one of his speciality free-kicks, Zico seemed an automatic choice for the 1978 World Cup but he had his own ideas about how the game should be played and fell out with coach Claudio Coutinho's defensive tactics. He was not alone. Brazil started the tournament so slowly - only drawing with Sweden and Spain - that Coutinho's effigy was burned on the streets by irate Brazilian supporters. This internal conflict, coupled with a succession of niggling injuries, caused Zico to watch most of Brazil's games in Argentina from the bench. And when he did get on, against Sweden, his last-gasp header from a corner was controversially disallowed by Welsh referee Clive Thomas who maintained that he had blown the whistle for full-time a split second before the ball flew into the net.

Better times lay ahead in 1981 when Zico's eleven goals helped Flamengo win the South American Club Cup (the Copa Libertadores) and they also went on to capture the World Club Cup, crushing Liverpool 3-0 in Tokyo. With Zico in sparkling form and Brazil returning to a more attacking style under Tele Santana, they looked a sound bet for the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Zico's hat-trick against Bolivia clinched a place in the finals where he scored four more goals, including the equaliser against Scotland who were eventually beaten 4-1. His body swerves, sudden changes of pace and dynamic shooting were a joy to watch but unfortunately for Brazil they came up against Paolo Rossi on one of his glory days and it was Italy who progressed to the semi-finals.

After 650 goals and four Championship medals with Flamengo, Zico joined Italian club Udinese for £2.5 million. That year (1983) saw him voted World Footballer of the Year but by the summer of 1985 he was back with Flamengo. Injury restricted him to just three substitute appearances at the 1986 World Cup finals. In the quarter-final against France he was brought on after the fans chanted his name but he promptly missed a crucial penalty and Brazil were on the way out. It was Zico's last match for his country - a sad end for such a popular player.

He retired in 1990 - having played 1,047 senior games - and was appointed Brazil's Sports Minister but a year later he made a surprise comeback, moving to Kashima Antlers of Japan where he helped to establish the new J-League. He returned to Brazil in 1997 and was appointed assistant coach to the national team, serving in that capacity at the following year's World Cup.

BORN: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 3.3.53.

CLUBS: 1971–1983 Flamengo, 1983–1985 Udinese, 1985–1989 Flamengo, 1991–1994 Kashima Antlers.

INERNATIONAL CAREER: Brazil 1976-1986, Caps 72, Goals 52.

*************************************************************************************************************

The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame welcomes you both. YNWA

Follow @Glady_Libs_LFC

Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame #18

Welcome to my weekly blog “The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame” every week I’ll be adding two new additions, one will be a Liverpool Legend or fans favourite, the other a Player, Manager or Club who have contributed to the world game we all love (Gary Neville need not worry). Please comment below who you’d like to see make the IBHoF, here are this weeks entries. YNWA

JOEY JONES

1975/76 - 1977/78

Who ate the Frogs' legs, made the Swiss roll and topped the lot by munching Gladbach? Why, none other than Joey Jones, of course, that tattooed tiger of a left-back taken to the hearts of Kopites like few of their heroes before or since. Joey, as proud to wear the red of Liverpool as that of his beloved Wales, enjoyed an affectionate rapport with the fans who loved his zealous approach, and they coined the colourful catchphrase to immortalise his spirited displays against the French, Swiss and West German champions on the way to lifting the 1977 European Cup.

Joey moved to Anfield from Wrexham for £110,000 in July 1975 to replace out-of-form Alec Lindsay, but early displays indicated too many rough edges for the top flight. Phil Neal switched to left-back, Tommy Smith came in on the right and Joey was out. That disappointment, however, was merely a prelude to his finest season; 1976/77 saw him claim a regular place in the side which took Europe's top prize, retained the Championship and narrowly lost the FA Cup Final to Manchester United.

Throughout that glorious campaign Joey played as though his life depended on it. Possessed with boundless enthusiasm, he was strong in the air and formidable in the tackle, though there was occasionally a tendency to commit himself to reckless challenges. But there were more serious weaknesses; his distribution was often wayward and offered a sorry comparison to the silky skills of Lindsay, and his reading of the game was at times rudimentary. Thus it was no real surprise when Joey lost his place during the following term as Bob Paisley shuffled the Reds' defence to accommodate the increasingly impressive Alan Hansen.

In September 1978 Jones returned to Wrexham for a paltry £20,000 but his days in the big time were not yet over. John Neal, his former boss at the Racecourse Ground, took him to Chelsea where he was doted on by the Shed as he had once been adored by the Kop, and Joey helped the Londoners win promotion to the First Division.

Next came a brief spell at Huddersfield, during which he overhauled Ivor Allchurch to become his country's most-capped player, an honour he retained for. several years until his total of 72 was overtaken in turn by Peter Nicholas. Finally, and fittingly, Joey put in a third stint with his first club; this time the doughty Welsh warrior was home for good.

BORN: Llandudno, Wales. 4.3.55. GAMES: 97. GOALS: 3.

CLUBS: Wrexham 72/3-74/5 (98, 2) and 78/9-82/3 (146, 6); Chelsea 82/3-84/5 (78, 2); Huddersfield Town 85/6-86/7 (68, 3); Wrexham 87/8-91/2 (132, 11).

HONOURS: European Cup 76/7. League Championship 75/6, 76/7.

INERNATIONAL CAREER: 72 Wales caps (76-86).

*************************************************************************************************************

TOM FINNEY

In the 1950s you were either a Finney man or a Matthews man. There wasn't room for both, at least not in the eyes of the FA selection committee who met to pick the England teams. Both were players of outstanding ability but unfortunately they were often vying for the same wing position. The debate as to who was the better player divided the nation. However, on caps alone, Finney emerged the winner, not least because he was more adaptable and able to play not only on either wing but just about anywhere along the forward line.

Tom Finney was a throwback to the days when players turned out for a pittance and remained loyal to one club throughout their career. In Finney's case, the lucky beneficiaries were Preston North End. Raised a stone's throw from their Deepdale ground, he yearned to play for the local team but his father insisted that he learn a trade and so he became an apprentice plumber - an occupation that he kept even when he was an established international. It earned him his nickname of 'The Preston Plumber'.

He signed for North End in 1938 at the age of sixteen but because of the war did not make his first League appearance for another eight years. In 1947 he made his international debut against Wales but thereafter found himself in almost constant competition with Matthews. The latter was undoubtedly the greater showman, teasing full-backs before jinking to the byline and delivering a telling cross, but the feeling was that Finney was the better team player. As well as being blessed with pace and trickery, he had two good feet and could either go outside his full-back to deliver a cross or cut inside for a shot on goal. Matthews may have been a superb provider but Finney was a far more lethal marksman, averaging thirteen League goals a season at Preston and doubling that tally in 1957-58. Unfortunately, Preston were one of the 'nearly teams' of the fifties, twice finishing runners-up in the League and losing out to West Bromwich Albion in the 1954 Cup Final. As a result, the only domestic honour Finney had to show for such a glorious career was a Second Division Championship medal. Compensation of a sort was the accolade of being the first person to be named Footballer of the Year twice.

He was offered the chance of a move - and untold wealth - at the age of 30 when Italian club Palermo put in a bid for him. They were willing to pay a £10,000 signing on fee, £130 a month wages, bonuses of up to £100 a game, a Mediterranean villa, a luxury car and free travel to and from Italy for his family. They also offered Preston £30,000 by way of a transfer fee. Finney turned it down. It would have meant giving up his plumbing business.

Dogged by injury in his later years, Finney retired in 1960, having scored 187 League goals in 433 appearances for Preston. Without him North End were relegated from the First Division within a year and haven't been back since. The perfect gentleman on and off the pitch and a wonderful ambassador for the game, he received the OBE in 1961 and was later elected president of Preston North End. Then in 1998 he received a long overdue knighthood.

So who was better, Finney or Matthews? That shrewd judge Bill Shankly had no doubt. 'Tommy Finney was grizzly strong. Tommy could run for a week. I'd have played him in his overcoat... When I told people in Scotland that England were coming up with a winger who was better than Stanley Matthews, they laughed at me. But they weren't laughing when big Georgie Young was running all over Hampden Park looking for Tommy Finney!'

BORN: Preston, England. 5.4.22.

CLUBS: Preston North End 1946–1960, 433 (187)

INERNATIONAL CAREER: England 1946-1958, Caps 76, Goals 30.

*************************************************************************************************************

The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame welcomes you both. YNWA

Follow @Glady_Libs_LFC

Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame #17

Welcome to my weekly blog “The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame” every week I’ll be adding two new additions, one will be a Liverpool Legend or fans favourite, the other a Player, Manager or Club who have contributed to the world game we all love (Gary Neville need not worry). Please comment below who you’d like to see make the IBHoF, here are this weeks entries. YNWA

JOE FAGAN

1958/59 - 1983/84 (Coach) 1983/84 - 1984/85 (Manager)

Joe Fagan was faced with the seemingly impossible task of following not one, but two legends as boss of the Reds. How did he react? Why, by instantly outdoing them, how else? In his first campaign, Joe achieved what neither Bill Shankly nor Bob Paisley had managed - he led Liverpool to three major honours, the European Cup, the League Championship and the Milk Cup. It was the perfect riposte to critics who had said that not even the all-conquering Anfield outfit could promote from within for a second time and maintain success.

To people who knew the club, though, his triumphs came as no surprise. Joe, whose son Chris made one senior appearance for the Reds in 1971, had been a Liverpool coach since 1958 and had moved up to become Bob's assistant after Bill's retirement, As such, he was imbued with all things Liverpool and was already a vital part of the set-up, albeit a publicly silent one. He had the golden knack of getting the best out of the players in his charge and, in many cases, he was a mixture of friend and adviser to them.

It was from this position of strength that his reign began, inauspiciously as it turned out, with a Charity Shield defeat by Manchester United. But when the real business got under way the status quo of Liverpool dominance was soon restored, and a glorious 1983/84 came to a climax with that nerve-tingling penalty shoot-out to decide the European Cup Final against AS Roma in Rome. And when Alan Kennedy slotted home the winner, Joe's familiar cheeky grin dominated the celebrations as the enormity of his triple triumph began to sink in.

But there were clouds on the horizon. With his imperious skipper Graeme Souness leaving for Italy, Joe was always going to face a more demanding term in 1984/85, and so it proved. His early years in the game - when he had been an enthusiastic, if moderate performer for Manchester City and Bradford - had taught Joe the virtues of pragmatism, and he declared: 'Souness has gone; forget about him, we've got a job to do without him.' That, however, was easier said than done.

John Wark and Paul Walsh were added to the squad but, partly through injuries, neither player had the hoped-for impact. An appalling League start saw the Reds drop into the bottom three by October, and although they recovered to finish as runners-up, the title slipped across Stanley Park to Everton. There was an early Milk Cup exit at the hands of Tottenham, and when progress towards the FA Cup Final was halted by Manchester United in a semi-final replay, all that was left was the European Cup. That Liverpool eventually lost the final to Juventus counted for nothing; that lives were lost when a wall collapsed during crowd trouble at the Heysel Stadium cast a blight over the football world.

Joe, who had decided already to retire, shed tears of despair on that grievous night as he confirmed his decision to step down. So honest, knowledgeable and respected throughout the game, he did not deserve such a dire departure. But despite the trauma of Heysel, Joe Fagan could look back with pride on his two years in charge at Anfield. Joe died of cancer in July 2001, aged 80. He was buried at Anfield Cemetery, near Liverpool's stadium. One former Liverpool star once described him as the top coach in Europe, perhaps the world; another called him a gentleman and a gentle man. Few managers have left their desks with warmer tributes

BORN: Liverpool, 12.3.21.

DIED: Liverpool, 30.6.01 (aged 80).

CLUBS: 1938–1951 Manchester City (148, 2); 1951–1954 Nelson (player-manager); 1954 Bradford Park Avenue (3, 0).

HONOURS: European Cup 83/4. League Championship 83/4. League Cup 83/4.

*************************************************************************************************************

BOCA JUNIORS

FULL NAME: Club Atlético Boca Juniors

CITY: Buenos Aires

COUNTRY: Argentina

LEAGUE: Primera División

FOUNDED: 1905

STADIUM: Estadio Alberto Jacinto Armando - La Bombonera (57,300)

COLOURS: Blue, Yellow

NICKNAMES: Los Xeneizes (The Genoans), Los Bosteros (The Manure), Boquita (Little Boca), La Azul y Oro (The Blue and Gold)

RIVAL: River Plate

WEBSITE: bocajuniors.com.ar

DESCIPTION:

Boca Juniors is the most successful football team in Argentina and one of the most successful in the world, having won 67 official titles. (49 at the national level and 18 at the international level) Boca's last official title obtained is the 2011 Apertura tournament. Internationally, the team has won 18 international titles, a record shared with A.C. Milan.

The club was formed on April 3, 1905 by five boys from the Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires, with 'Juniors' being added to give it an 'English tone'.

The original jersey colour was pink, but this was quickly abandoned for thin black-and-white vertical stripes. Legend has it that in 1906, Boca played another team that used this strip to decide who would get to keep it. Boca lost, and decided to adopt the colors of the flag of the first boat to sail into the port at La Boca. This proved to be the 4146 ton freighter "Drottning Sophia", a Swedish vessel sailing from Copenhagen. As a result, the yellow and blue of the Swedish flag were adopted as the new team colours. The first version had a yellow diagonal band, which was later changed to a horizontal stripe.

The nickname  Xeneizes is a corruption of Zeneizes, which is a word in the Genoese dialect meaning Genoese. Many early inhabitants of La Boca were from Genoa, Italy. Boca Juniors have never been relegated. The derby with River Plate, the Superclásico, is one of the most intense and most famous in the world. Boca are traditionally supported by the working class or Buenos Aires, in contrast to the middle and upper class support of their arch-rivals. The Bosteros nickname is a reference to the Manure used in a brick kiln previously located at the site of Boca's stadium. Originally an insult by rival fans, Boca fans now use it with pride. There is a star in the club's emblem for each championship won.

ESTADIO ALBERTO JACINTO ARMANDO:

The stadium's nickname La Bombonera means 'chocolate box', presumably because of its appearance. It is officially named for a former club president.

HONOURS:

Asociación Argentina de Football (1919, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926)

Primera División (1930, 1931, 1934, 1935, 1940, 1943, 1944, 1954, 1962, 1964, 1965)

Nacional (1969, 1970, 1976)

Metropolitano (1976, 1981)

Apertura (1992, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2011)

Clausura (1999, 2006)

Copa de Honor (1925)

Copa de Argentina (1969)

INTERNATIONAL TITLES:

Copa Libertadores (1977, 1978, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007)

Supercopa Libertadores (1989)

Copa Sudamericana (2004, 2005)

Recopa Sudamericana (1990, 2005, 2006, 2008)

Copa Master (1992)

Copa de Oro Nicolás Leoz (1993)

Intercontinental Cup (1977, 2000, 2003)

*************************************************************************************************************

The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame welcomes you both. YNWA

Follow @Glady_Libs_LFC

Liverpool Make Montoya Move

Liverpool have opened talks with Barcelona full-back Martin Montoya in the hope of securing a transfer in January.

The Spain U21 international can play at left-back or right-back and is out of contract at the end of the season.

He could leave the Nou Camp on a free transfer in the summer, but Liverpool are keen on a new-year deal.

Montoya, 22, is behind Dani Alves in the pecking order at the Spanish champions and Liverpool are one of several clubs tracking him.

Ian Ayre, the Liverpool managing director, travelled to Barcelona this week in an effort to secure an earlier move.

Montoya is a product of the Barcelona youth system and has played for Spain from U17 to U21 level as well as their Olympic team, and has also been in the senior squad but has yet to win a senior cap.

Source http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Follow @Glady_Libs_LFC

LFC Transfer Rumour Mill

Liverpool transfer speculation today focuses on manager Brendan Rodgers reportedly lining up a deal for creative Juventus playmaker Sebastian Giovinco in the new year.

The Reds boss is hoping to add more creativity to his midfield and has apparently identified the Italian international as the ideal man to do so this winter.

The diminutive star has been in and out of the Juve side since first breaking through, and though he has always been regarded as a talented player he has not always been given the opportunities to impress that he would have liked.

Skillful and quick, his profile would seem to fit in with the ethos that has been set for the side by Rodgers, with Paris Saint Germain's Javier Pastore and Derby County starlet Will Hughes also being targets (Caught Offside).

Liverpool are reported to have been one of four clubs that were trying to sign 20-year-old Nigerian International midfielder Ogenyi Eddy Onazi from Italian side Lazio this summer.

Despite their believed best efforts, Lazio refused to allow him to leave, however, Onazi has raised hopes of a move telling the Italian media: "I would jump at the chance to play in the Premier League. Liverpool? They are a huge team and are attractive to any footballer. I could see myself playing for them."

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Manchester United have reportedly been overtaken in the race to sign Atletico Madrid's burgeoning talent Koke.

Koke has been labelled as the next Xavi, and it has been mooted he could replace the midfield maestro himself after impressing Barca scouts with his performances for Atletico Madrid in La Liga this season.

But there appears to be a fresh twist in the transfer saga, with Serie A giants AC Milan reportedly surging ahead in the race for his signature.

Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo claims Milan's owner Silvio Berlusconi has already conducted exploratory talks with Atletico to see whether or not a move for Koke is feasible.

It is also understood Berlusconi is prepared to offer Koke £3.6 million a season to lure him from Atletico.

Liverpool have been dealt a blow in the chase to sign Cruzeiro star Everton Ribeiro as the Brazilian revealed he is keen to secure 'dream' move to Manchester United.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is also keen to bolster his forward options and is set to rival United with a bid for the playmaker.

It is understood that Cruzeiro are willing to sell the Brazilian for €8million (£6.7m) in January.

Source http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

Follow @Glady_Libs_LFC

Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame #16

Welcome to my weekly blog “The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame” every week I’ll be adding two new additions, one will be a Liverpool Legend or fans favourite, the other a Player, Manager or Club who have contributed to the world game we all love (Eric Djemba-Djemba need not worry). Please comment below who you’d like to see make the IBHoF, here are this weeks entries. YNWA

JAN MOLBY

1984/85 - 1994/95

Few top-flight managers could put their hands on their hearts and say they did not covet the ability of Jan Molby. Yet the Danish international midfielder, a rare and at times irresistible combination of dainty skills and bear-like strength, became a shadowy figure on the fringe of the Anfield action long before reaching the veteran stage and being freed to become player-boss of Swansea in February 1996.

Joe Fagan took him to Anfield as a £200,000 recruit from Ajax of Amsterdam in August 1984 and pitched him straight into the team. The initial impression was of a sluggish, rather corpulent individual who lacked the speed to make the most of his natural gifts. Jan played on for the first half of the campaign before being replaced by Kevin MacDonald, and a brief end-of-term reappearance as sweeper was not enough to prevent many critics from writing him off.

Never a man to be swayed by the media, Kenny Dalglish was of a different opinion. The new Liverpool manager installed a slightly slimmer Jan in his side for 1985/86, and his faith was quickly repaid. The Dane, having had time to adjust to the frenetic demands of the British game, exuded authority as the Reds' creative fulcrum, supplying Ian Rush in particular with a nourishing diet of exquisitely weighted through-balls. Like Souness before him, Jan laced his constructive merits with formidable power, and his dead-ball expertise - he scored nine of his 19 goals from the penalty spot - was indispensable. His finest hour came in the FA Cup Final at Wembley, in which Liverpool were distinctly second-best to Everton until the hefty schemer began to exert his influence. First he put Rush through to level the scores at one-apiece and then opened up the match with a succession of flowing crossfield passes, which led ultimately to two more goals.

Jan's Anfield future was apparently assured. Not only was he a success on the pitch, he also became a personal favourite with the fans, who delighted in his Danish-Scouse accent and general willingness to embrace the Merseyside way of life. The way ahead, however, was paved with problems. After playing well enough for a slightly below-par 'Pool in the following season, he broke his foot in training and missed most of the vintage 1987/88 campaign. Jan was back for 1988/89, deputising in defence for Alan Hansen, but soccer was forced to take a back seat as he was sentenced to three months in prison for a driving offence.

To his credit, Jan survived the trauma with dignity, returning to fight for his place. But, though arguably still the most artistic play-maker in the land - as he showed repeatedly during 1991/92, contributing hugely to Liverpool's FA Cup triumph - the affable Dane seemed to have lost the impetus of earlier days.

Part of the reason was his eternal battle with his weight - if he could have controlled that ample girth as ably as he mastered a football then, surely, Jan must have attained true great-ness – but also he suffered appallingly with injuries throughout the first half of the nineties. In addition, there were times when the team's pattern of play, with so many attacking ideas stemming from more fleet-footed colleagues, simply did not suit his measured approach.

For all that, there is no escaping the truth that the sumptuous talents of Jan Molby remained frustratingly peripheral at a time when they should have been reaping their richest bounty. By any reckoning, that amounts to a dreadful waste.

BORN: Kolding, Denmark, 4.7.63. GAMES: 251 (30). GOALS: 58.

CLUBS: Kolding 81/2; Ajax, Amsterdam 82/4; Barnsley (on loan) 95/6 (5, 0); Norwich City (on loan) 95/6 (3, 0); Swansea City 95/6-97/8 (42, 8).

HONOURS: League Championship 85/6, 89/90. FA Cup 85/6, 91/2.

MANAGER: Swansea City 96-97; Kidderminster Harriers 99-02 – 03-04; Hull City 02.

INERNATIONAL CAREER: 33 Denmark caps, 2 goals (82-90).

*************************************************************************************************************

FC ST. PAULI

FULL NAME: Fußball-Club St. Pauli von 1910

CITY: Hamburg

COUNTRY: Germany

LEAGUE: 2. Bundesliga

FOUNDED: 1910

STADIUM: Millerntor Stadion (23,201)

COLOURS: Brown, White

NICKNAMES: Die Freibeuter der Liga (The Buccaneers of the League), Totenkopf (The Skull & Crossbones)

RIVAL: Hamburger SV

WEBSITE: fcstpauli.de

DESCIPTION:

The club began its existence in 1899 as a loose, informal group of football enthusiasts within the Hamburg-St.Pauli Turn-Verein. This group did not play its first match until 1907, when they faced a similar side assembled from the local Aegir swimming club. Officially established on 15 May 1910, the club played as St. Pauli TV in the Kreisliga Groß-Hamburg (Alsterkreis) until 1924, when a separate football side called St. Pauli was formed. The team played as an undistinguished lower-to-mid table side until making their first appearance in 1934 in the top-flight Gauliga Nordmark, one of sixteen premier level divisions created in the re-organization of German football that took place under the Third Reich. They were immediately relegated, but returned to the top flight in 1936. Relegated again in 1940, St. Pauli re-appeared in the Gauliga Hamburg in 1942, and played there until the end of World War II.

Since the 1980s FC St. Pauli is the most popular football club in the German left wing, anti-fascist and punk movement. This is not only due to their well-known Skull logo but to the house-squatting scene that many St. Pauli fans were in involved in during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

FANS:

St. Pauli opens its home matches with "Hells Bells" by AC/DC, and after every home goal "Song 2" by Blur is played.

St. Pauli enjoys a certain fame for the left-leaning character of its supporters: most of the team's fans regard themselves as anti-racist, anti-fascist, anti-homophobic and anti-sexist, and this has on occasion brought them into conflict with neo-Nazis and hooligans at away games. Fans of St. Pauli are also known as "Zecken" (Ticks), this is a name that right-wingers call punks and other people who they accuse of being parasites.

Team supporters traditionally participate in demonstrations in the Hamburg district of St. Pauli, including those over squatting or low-income housing, such as the Hafenstraße and Bambule. The centre of fan activity is the Fanladen St. Pauli.

St Pauli fans currently have a strong relationship with Celtic F.C fans and Hapoel Tel Aviv fans.

The club prides itself on having the largest number of female fans in all of German football. In 2002, advertisements for the men's magazine Maxim were removed from the team's stadium, in response to fans' protests over the adverts' allegedly sexist depictions of women.

CLUB LOGO:

The Skull and Crossbones symbol had always been associated with St Pauli in one way or another. Hamburg fostered the most famous pirate of Germany Klaus Störtebeker and the symbol had been used by the house occupants at Hafenstrasse, but the one who should be credited with finally bringing the symbol to the terraces is probably Doc Mabuse, the singer of a Hamburg punk band. As the legend tells, he first grabbed the flag from a stall while passing drunk through the Dom on his way to the Millerntor-Stadion.

MILLERNTOR STADION:

The home venue of the FC St Pauli is the Millerntor-Stadion. Work on the stadium began in 1961, but its completion was delayed until 1963 as there was initially no drainage system in place, making the pitch unplayable after rain. It originally held 32,000 supporters, but the capacity was later reduced for safety reasons.

In 1970, the stadium was renamed Wilhelm Koch-Stadium, in honour of a former club president, but this name became highly controversial when it was discovered that Wilhelm Koch had been a member of the Nazi Party during the war. After protests by fans, the name was changed back to Millerntor-Stadion in 1999.

A reconstruction began in 2006. The goal is a total renovation of the four tribunes of the stadium. The renovation is expected to be fully completed by 2014 and the new capacity will be approximately 30,000 spectators.

The Stadium is located next to the Heiligengeistfeld, and is overlooked by the infamous Flak tower to the north and a building of the Deutsche Telekom to the south. It can easily be reached with the Hamburg U-Bahn line U3 (St Pauli Station and Feldstrasse Station).

HONOURS:

Weltpokalsiegerbesieger (the World Club Champ beaters) (2002)

The Weltpokalsiegerbesieger is an imaginary cup, which we imagine St Pauli claimed in 2002 after beating then World Club champions Bayern Munich.

It seems to the fans of FC ST. Pauli there’s more to football than winning silverware.

*************************************************************************************************************

The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame welcomes you both. YNWA

Follow @Glady_Libs_LFC

Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame #15

Welcome to my weekly blog “The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame” every week I’ll be adding two new additions, one will be a Liverpool Legend or fans favourite, the other a Player, Manager or Club who have contributed to the world game we all love (Gary Neville need not worry). Please comment below who you’d like to see make the IBHoF, here are this weeks entries. YNWA

TERRY McDERMOTT

1974/75 - 1982/83

There were suspicions during Terry McDermott's early days at Anfield that he was destined to be a £170,000 misfit; he became instead a creative inspiration in one of the Reds' most exhilarating combinations. At his irresistible best he was the free spirit in a beautifully balanced midfield quartet led by anchor man Graeme Souness with Jimmy Case on the right flank and Ray Kennedy on the left. Terry's roving commission gave full rein to a potent cocktail of vision and stamina which prised open many of the world's tightest defences.

It was not always thus. Bob Paisley signed the Liverpool-born schemer from Newcastle in November 1974 after he had impressed against his home-town club in that year's FA Cup Final. Terry went straight into the side but failed to settle as the new manager experimented in an attempt to emulate the success of the Shankly era. When the trophies started rolling in, largely without Terry's assistance - Bob's Reds won the Championship and UEFA Cup in 1975/76 - it seemed likely that he would be written off as a mistake, albeit an expensive one, and unloaded.

But Paisley kept faith with the wiry ex-Magpie and when, in the following campaign, Liverpool were pushing for a squad-sapping treble, Terry began to blossom. After vying for a place with Case - whose stern tackling he could never remotely emulate - for most of the season, he became established in the spring and played a memorable part in a tumultuous run-in which saw the title and the European Cup end up at Anfield but the FA Cup slip away to Old Trafford. He was especially dangerous when running from deep positions and was adept at arriving late in the penalty area where his finishing, by turns powerful and subtle, could be deadly.

Terry's most valuable goal that term - and of his career, come to that - was the opener against Borussia Mönchengladbach in Rome where the Reds lifted Europe's top prize so gloriously. He ghosted, typically, down the inside-right channel to take a pass from Steve Heighway before clinically curling the ball past the German 'keeper. A month earlier there had been an even more mouth-watering piece of opportunism when Terry had spotted Everton's David Lawson off his line and chipped an exquisite goal in the FA Cup semi-final at Maine Road.

But the McDermott zenith was not reached until the arrival of Souness in 1978. The Scot's all-pervading influence on central midfield gave the newly-capped England international the liberty he needed to express his talents fully. A natural athlete, Terry made runs to all corners of the pitch, often acting as a decoy and creating space for colleagues to exploit, and when he did gain possession his instinctive control and incisive passing ability usually made the most of it.

He remained in his pomp for three years - in 1980 he was the first man to win awards from the football writers and his fellow players in the same season - and two incidents against Spurs during this period emphasise his dual value, as team man and individual. In September 1978 at Anfield he started and finished a flowing end-to-end move that capped a 7-0 annihilation, and 18 months later at White Hart Lane he decided an FA Cup quarter-final with a spontaneous flighted shot from near the corner flag.

Despite winning title and Milk Cup medals in 1981/82, Terry seemed to lose impetus and returned to Tyneside to help Kevin Keegan effect a Newcastle revival. That particular renaissance proved to be of the short-term variety, but when the two men were reunited at St James' Park a decade later - with Terry as assistant to manager Kevin - they trans­formed the Magpies into one of the most entertaining and dynamic sides of the nineties.

BORN: Kirkby, Liverpool. 8.12.51. GAMES: 310 (12). GOALS: 75.

CLUBS: Bury 69/70-72/3 (90, 8); Newcastle United 72/3-74/5 (56, 6) and 82/3-83/4 (74, 12); Cork City 84/5; Apoel, Cyprus.

HONOURS: European Cup 76/7, 77/8, 80/1. League Championship 76/7, 78/9, 79/80, 81/2. League Cup 80/1, 81/2.

INERNATIONAL CAREER: 25 England caps (77-82).

*************************************************************************************************************

GERD MULLER

In 1964 Bayern Munich president Wilhelm Neudecker oversaw the signing of a promising young striker from TSV Nördlingen by the name of Gerd Müller. But the Bayern coach, Zlatko "Čik" Čajkovski, took one look at the new boy and sniffed: 'I can't put that little elephant in among my string of thoroughbreds.' Müller went on to spend almost sixteen years at Bayern, during which time he scored 365 goals in 427 League matches, helped his team to four Bundesliga titles and a hat-trick of European Cup successes. He also scored the goal that won the World Cup for West Germany in 1974.

In fairness to Čajkovski, Müller did not exactly look like someone who would turn into the most feared penalty box predator of his day. He was short and heavy with thighs that were as thick as tree trunks but his strength and low centre of gravity made him a real handful in the box where he could wriggle and dart free from his mountainous markers to find that precious yard of space so essential to all great goalscorers. He could turn on a sixpence and his reflexes were razor sharp with the result that 'Der Bomber', as he became known, rarely wasted an opportunity within eighteen yards of goal. Like Jimmy Greaves, he rarely bothered shooting from distance or picking the ball up in deep positions; all his work was done where it mattered. Yet whilst the vast majority of his goals were close range efforts, there was tremendous variety in his execution - bicycle kicks, diving headers, thundering volleys or simple tap-ins. They all came the same to Gerd Müller.

Although raised in a small village that had no football ground, Müller was always determined to make the grade and even as a youngster practised for hours on end, sharpening the skills that would stand him in good stead in years to come. These attributes brought him to the notice of Nördlingen who signed him in 1962 as a seventeen year-old. Two years later and he was off to Bayern where in 1966 he helped his new club secure the German Cup. He made his international debut that year in a 2-0 win over Turkey, but it was the following season that he really began to make a name for himself. His 28 goals made him top scorer in the Bundesliga - a feat he was to repeat in 1968, 1970,1972,1973,1974 (jointly) and 1978 - and he helped Bayern win the European Cup Winners' Cup with an extra-time victory over Glasgow Rangers in Nuremberg. As a result he was voted Germany's Footballer of the Year.

By the 1970 World Cup, the Germans had the luxury of two top-class but similar strikers in Müller and the veteran Uwe Seeler. Rather than have them competing for the same spot, the coach moved Seeler back into midfield. Both players scored in the quarter-final victory over England, Müller going on to finish top scorer in the tournament with ten goals, including a hat-trick against Bulgaria and two in the heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Italy. Accordingly he was named European Footballer of the Year-the first German to win the award. His stock increased with a match-winning brace in the final of the 1972 European Championships against the USSR and four more goals at the 1974 World Cup, among them a late semi-final winner to see off Poland and then the dramatic strike that lifted the trophy itself at the expense of Holland. His total of fourteen goals in World Cup finals matches remains a record. But he wasn't finished yet and in 1976 netted against Czechoslovakia in the final of the European Championships to become the first player to score in two finals of that competition. He retired from playing in 1981 with a career total of 628 goals in first-class football. Not bad for a 'little elephant'.

BORN: Nördlingen, Germany. 3.11.45.

CLUBS: 1963–1964 1861 Nördlingen, 1964–1979 Bayern Munich, 1979–1981 Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

INERNATIONAL CAREER: West Germany 1966-1974, Caps 62, Goals 68.

*************************************************************************************************************

The Igor Bišćan Hall of Fame welcomes you both. YNWA

Follow @Glady_Libs_LFC