TIA forum regular ‘redkop1982′ becomes our third fan to tell us their ‘Red Heaven’ with an impressive selection of former players and staff… If you’d like to be the next Red in Heaven, click here.

Bruce Grobbelaar
(Goalkeeper 1981-1994)

Former zimbabwe international. Signed by Bob Paisley from Canadian Club Vancouver Whitecaps in March 1981 for ₤250,000 as a cover for Ray Clemence.
The man was commanding and instrumental between the sticks and one of the enduring memory was his goal line “wobble” against AS Roma in that dramatic European Cup final penalty shoot-out win which led Graziani to miss. There was only ever one Bruce Grobbelaar for that.

He won 13 major medals comprising of six Division One league titles, a European Cup, three FA Cups and three League Cups.

Steve Nicol
(Left-back 1982-1994, Currently Head coach of Boston Bulldogs)

The ex-Scottish international joined The Reds in October 1981 when Bob Paisley signed him from Ayr United for ₤300,000. One of the most versatile player in liverpool history, he could fill any roll in defence or midfield with a skill of a genius.

Missed that first penalty shhot-out against AS Roma in that dramatic European Cup final though Liverpool still won in the end. On a bright side of things, he led the goalscoring charts at the beginning of the 1987/88 season, after scoring 7 goals in his first 7 games, including a superb hat-trick against Newcastle.
Overall he won four League titles and three FA Cup winners medals in a Liverpool shirt. Currently head coach of Boston Bulldogs.

Phil Neal
(Right-back 1974-1985)

Former England international. He was Paisley’s first signing, costing just £66,000 in October 1974 from the then fourth division outfit Northampton.

Neal was an excellent right back. He had strong positional sense and was a brilliant crosser of the ball. He was composed under pressure and the club’s expert penalty kick-taker. His goal against Roma in the 1984 European Cup Final ensured Liverpool went into a victorious penalty shoot-out against the Italians on their own ground.

Ron Yeats
(Centrehalf 1961-1971, Chief Scout 1986-present)

The man Bill Shankly signed in the summer of 1961 from Dundee United for ₤30,000. The 6ft 2ins former Scottish international was instrumental in captaining the Liverpool side out of the old second Divison in 1961-1962 season.

His physique and reading of the game assured Yeates of dominance both in the air as well as on the ground. Presently Chief Scout at The Academy.

Alan Hansen
(Centrehalf 1977-1971, Presently BBC football Pundit)

The ex-Scottish international was signed by then manager Bob Paisley from Partick Thistle for ₤100,000 in May 1977. He is regarded as the most commanding and instrumental centrehalf in the history of british football.

Captained the Liverpool side in the 1986 double winning team under the mangement of his close friend – Kenny Dalglish. The man collected three European Cups and eight Division One title medals in a Liverpool Shirt. Currently with the BBC as a celebrated football pundit.

Ronnie Whelan
(Left-Midfield 1980-1994)

Former Republic of Ireland international. A natural footballer, Whelan was signed by Paisley from Home Farm in his native Dublin in October 1979, just after his 18th birthday.

He had a talent for scoring spectacular and crucial goals, including a magnificent swerving shot that beat Manchester United at Wembley in the 1983 Milk Cup Final, the year after he scored twice at the same venue in the final of the same competition against Tottenham.

Later in his Anfield career he captained Liverpool and switched inside to a central midfield role. He left Anfield in 1994 to manage Southend, followed by a spell in charge of Greek club Panionios and then Olympiakos Nicosia of Cyprus.

Peter Thompson
(Right-Midfield 1963-1974)

Ex-England international Thompson’s performance and decisive strike for Preston against Liverpool in an FA Cup fifth round second replay at Old Trafford persuaded Bill Shankly to invest £40,000 in the England winger’s talents in August 1963.

The artistic Thompson, who tormented defenders with his bewitching ball control, though can be deployed on the right, he was the perfect foil on Liverpool’s left flank for the more direct Ian Callaghan on the right and they were widely rated the best post war pair of club wingers. Their ability to lacerate defences prompted centre forward legend Dixie Dean to remark: “If I’d have played between those two I’d have scored even more than my record 60 League goals in a season”!

A majestic user of the ball Thompson also scored some memorable goals in his haul of 54 in more than 400 appearances. Two of his total came in the 5-0 mauling of Arsenal in April 1964, which clinched the Championship

Graeme Souness
(Central midfield 1978-1984 / As Manager 1990-1994)

Ex-Scottish international Souness was a born winner for the reds on the pitch. He arrived from Middlesbrough for £352,000 (a then record deal between British clubs) by the then manager Bob Paisley. He was the final cog in an already great midfield but he took it to new levels and just four months after joining the club it was he who laid on the final pass to Kenny Dalglish to retain the European Cup in 1978.

A midfield powerhouse he was strong in the tackle but also had the eye for a delicate pass when it was required as well as his trademark power drive shot. Graeme was loved on and off the pitch by everyone and despite a minor lack of pace in his game he was the complete midfielder.

As captain of Liverpool, he took the reds on to win three consecutive league titles and league cups as well as one European Cup in 1984.
He also won five league championship medals in a Liverpool shirt.

Emilyn Hughes
(Central Midfield 1967-1979)

Bill Shankly saw Emlyn play in one of his first games for Blackpool and offered £25,000 for him immediately. He got his man the following season for a considerably higher fee..

Former England international Emlyn started out as a midfielder and played there until 1973/74 when he moved to centre-half alongside Phil Thompson. They formed an innovative partnership, building Liverpool’s attacks from the back by passing to the midfield instead of hoofing the ball upfield. Hughes’ will to win was incredible and he was a great leader on the field. He was voted FWA’s player of the year in the 1976/77 season. An inspiration on the international scene for the England side as well as with Liverpool, Hughes was a truly successful captain, holding aloft; 3 championship titles, the FA cup, the UEFA cup and two European cups. The only cup missing was the League cup, which he won as captain of Wolves in 1980.

Kevin Keegan
(Forward 1971-1977)

Former England international Kevin Keegan goes down in the reds history as one of the biggest bargains ever after being signed by Bill Shankly for just £35,000 from Scunthorpe United in 1971 as a replacement to Roger Hunt. His burning desire when arriving at he reds as a twenty year old inspired many. He wanted to be first in everything he did.

His partnership up front with John Toshack was near telepathic and saw him play a vital role in the reds first ever European cup triumph in 1977. He had, years earlier inspired the reds victory over Newcastle in the 1974 FA Cup final. He grabbed the opening goal in the famous St Etienne game and was a genuine hero to all the reds and even after he announced he was going to try his luck in Europe the reds fans didn’t turn against him.
In a Liverpool shirt, he won 1 European Cup, 3 League Championships, 1 FA Cup and 2 UEFA Cups. He left in the summer of 1977 to join Hamburg and became the european footballer of the year whilst playing in Germany.

Since leaving the club he played for Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle who he later returned to manage. He has also seen himself managing the English national team.

Kenny Dalglish
(Forward 1977-1991 (player/manager 1986 to 1989)

Ex-Scottish international Kenny Dalglish will go down as one of Liverpools greatest players ever as well as the only Liverpool manager to complete the League and FA Cup double as Liverpool Manager. It was Bob Paisley whom signed him for Liverpool in August 1977 for £440,000 from Glasgow Celtic. The player came in to replace the outgoing Kevin Keegan and any worry that Liverpool would be the overall loser was soon forgotten when he scored on his league debut and netted a total of 30 goals in his first season.

Kenny could hold the ball up magnificently and buy enough time for the rest of the players to catch up play or he could open the defence in an instant with a defence splitting ball. His vision for the pass was superb and was complemented in time by the great Ian Rush.

Dalglish scored the winning goal in 1978 when Liverpool retained the European cup, the first time it had been done by an English Club. Dalglish also scored the goal which won the league championship in 1985-86 which was to prove the first half of the double in his first year as a player manager at the club following the resignation of Joe Fagan.

He won 3 European Cups, 6 League Championships, 1 FA Cup, 4 League Cups, 1 Double (1985/1986) and 1 Treble (1983/1984).

Manager : Bill Shankly
Assistant Manager : Bob Paisley

The Five substitutes : Ian Rush (Forward), Ray Clemence (Goalkeeper), Tommy Smith (Centrehalf), John Barnes (Left-Winger) and Ray Kennedy (Attacking Midfielder).

Cheers .
W. J. Cicinati (March 2006)

Additional sources Courtesy of :
www.liverpoolfc.tv
www.lfchistory.net
www.liverweb.org