They had a famous FA Cup run in the early 1990s, eventually being knocked out by Crewe 3-1 in the 3rd round. Roly Howard was manager for a record 33 years (1972-2005), although he will always be remembered by some fans as Kenny Dalglish's window cleaner. TV presenter Ray Stubbs once asked: "How's business, Roly?" to which Roly replied "Oh you know - ups and downs."
Former players include Michael Ball (Everton and Rangers) and Stephen Wright (Liverpool and Sunderland). The club motto is 'To Enjoy, Not Destroy.'
THE first big transfer of my childhood was Kevin Keegan to Hamburg SV in 1977 - just weeks after helping the Reds win the European Cup in Rome.
I couldn't understand what was going on. Why would anyone want to leave Liverpool FC? Why would Liverpool want to get rid of Keegan?
Before I'd worked out the answers, Kenny Dalglish was revealed as our new striker. Keegan was history.
The other Saturday I had a 'dad and lad' day with Jack. We had been heading to the Lake District to climb Cat Bells, munch Yorkie bars (chocolate for blokes) and eat chipolatas wrapped in bacon for our lunch while gazing down on Derwentwater before spending the night in a tent - just me and my boy.
The weather forecast of blustery heavy showers put paid to that. Instead, Jack asked if we could go to Liverpool city centre shopping. Just us. He loves sports shops. The Liverpool FC shop in Williamson Square had lots of tops with number 9 and Torres printed on them.
After a wander round Mathew Street, JJB Sports and a quick 'up and down' of Church Street we treated ourselves to lunch at La Tasca near Queen Square, sitting outside in the sunshine which the BBC had assured me would not stretch to Keswick.
I could feel a happy attack coming on as I stroked the chilled condensation from the neck of my Estrella Damm beer, safely distanced from pumped-up shoppers.
The smell of warm garlic wafted across our table and slowly I could feel my shoulders de-Botoxing. Moments like these need savouring.
As he chomped away on his patatas bravas ('They're just roast potatoes, Dad') he revealed that he knew nothing about the arrival of the new boy Fernando for a club record fee of £20m.
Jack seemed unimpressed with the fuss surrounding Torres as I explained how much he had cost and how important he could be. It hit home how it's only us grown-ups who get excited or even worked up about things that haven't as yet happened.
Kids live in the real world. In their world it's only delivery that counts, not promises. Until he starts banging in goals, Torres is just a name on a shirt.
'So he cost more than all the other players? More than Kenny Dalglish?' Jack asked between slurps of Diet Coke. 'So, is he better than Kenny Dalglish?'
How very dare you! Doubt it, son. But I guess we'll soon find out.
Meanwhile, here's a YouTube taster of what we can expect. I think comparisons with Ian Rush are inevitable. Sometimes he lacks elegance but Torres is a quick, bustling, clinical poacher.
(Just click on the image above and the video should play without you leaving this page)
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Jack wrote...
Dad. Amazing goals on the video. I think he's going to do excellent for Liverpool. Hope he has a nice time in Liverpool.
Posted by: Jack | July 14, 2007 3:56 PM