By LFC Vancouver member Ste Speed, 17 April 07.

Mark Lawrenson may be more familiar to younger Red’s fans through his television work for the BBC but anyone who saw him play will tell you that he was one of the most cultured defenders ever to play for Liverpool. He really was an incredible player and he could play left back, right back, centre back and even midfield.

Lawro started his career with his hometown club Preston North End (managed by Bobby Charlton) in 1974 when he was just seventeen. Over the next 3 years his reputation grew and in 1976/77 he was voted as Preston’s ‘Player of the Season’. That same year he was also capped for the first time by Ireland after he qualified through his grandfather.

In the summer of 1977 he moved to Brighton and Hove Albion, who ironically outbid Liverpool for his services. In 1981 after four years at Brighton, the club had a cash crisis and their most talented players needed to be sold to bring funds in to the club. Liverpool finally got their man in the summer of 1981 for £900,000 which at the time was a club record by far. As part of the deal Jimmy Case moved to Brighton were he went on to become a cult figure in the early 1980’s, inspiring them to an FA Cup Final replay against Man Utd in 1983.

Not long after Lawrenson joined the club, Liverpool’s captain Phil Thompson suffered a long term injury, this gave Lawro his chance to partner Alan Hansen in central defence. Unfortuntely for Thommo he never really got his place back after he came back because the double team of Lawrenson and Hansen was pretty invincible. If anybody out there can tell me a better central defence partnership I’d love to hear it. Hansen was terrific playing the ball out of defence and his vision was sublime. Just check out old video’s of goals in the 1980’s, particularly those from Ian Rush. You’ll see Hansen play the ball to Dalglish and then a through ball to the oncoming Rushie.

Lawrenson complemented ‘Jocky’ Hansen perfectly with his insanely good tackling. Blessed with speed and superb timing, Lawro was one of the finest tacklers the game has seen. Just when an opponent seemed to have run clear his foot would whip the ball from his path cleanly and it was as if he had come from nowhere. I remember a tremendous photo of Lawro making a sliding tackle on Graeme Sharp of Everton in the 1984 League Cup Final. When I was a kid I used to always admire that picture and wish I could tackle like that myself. I was watching the 1984 European Cup Final a few nights ago and some of the tackles Lawro made that night were awesome. It was watching this game that really showcased for me just how special he really was. He also had another memorable game in the 1986 FA Cup Final against Everton. I still have the newspaper clippings from after that game and in the Daily Mirror he was rated as our second best player with a nine out of ten rating.

During the 1980’s we had the best of the best in every position throughout the team, but the solid defence in that time must take a lot of credit for all the success we achieved. We hardly conceded goals and at the other end we had the best goal scorer in the business, it’s hard to believe we ever lost a game when I think about it. It’s actually frightening just how good a side we were back then.

He scored seventeen goals during his Anfield career and some of them came in famous victories. The goal that springs to mind instantly is the one he scored in the five – nil at Goodison Park (when Rush got four). His fist clenched salute after scoring is an image that will be etched in my mind forever. His first goal for Liverpool came in the seven – nil win against Oulun Palloseura in the European Cup. Interestingly a certain Ian Rush also scored his first Liverpool goal in that very same match.

Unfortunately his career was ended prematurely in 1988 with a serious achilles injury, Lawro was only thirty at the time. He moved into management almost immediately with Oxford United. However his time there was short lived when he was sacked after seven months. In his defence, he wasn’t sacked because he wasn’t a good manager it was because he had a famous and public bust up with the chairman over the sale of Dean Saunders (another ex Red) to Derby County. What made the situation more interesting at the time was that the Oxford chairman was Kevin Maxwell and the Derby chairman was his father, media tycoon Robert Maxwell (a man with a reputation for dodgy business deals).

He also had a spell as manager of Peterborough United from September 1989 to November 1990; unfortunately he was also sacked from this job too. This time it was for the teams performance’s on the field rather than anything more controversial.

This was his final dalliance in the world of football management, although he did work as Newcastle United’s defensive coach in the mid 90’s under Kevin Keegan (another ex Red!) Also on Newcastle’s coaching staff at that time was another yet another ex Red, Terry McDermott. Looking back it’s hard to believe Newcastle had a defensive coach under Kevin Keegan. Anyone who remembers the swashbuckling attacking play and virtually zero defending will agree with me there!

I remember during the time he was with Newcastle he seemed to be interviewed every week on the BBC Saturday lunchtime programme ‘Football Focus’. Rather than Keegan or one of the players it was always Lawro getting interviewed and I used to really enjoy his witty banter with the host, former Tranmere Rovers goalie, Ray Stubbs. I remember that I wasn’t surprised when the BBC offered him a job when he left Newcastle.

It’s funny how our players seem to end up linking up again after leaving Anfield, and Lawro did it again when he was teamed up once more with Alan Hansen. They became the main analysts for ‘Match of the Day’ and at least one of them has been on TV, Lawro usually on co-commentary and Hansen in the studio, for almost every game screened by the BBC ever since.

Lawro is now one of the best known and respected people in the football media. I look forward to reading his columns online every week in The Mirror on a Saturday and The Liverpool Echo on a Tuesday. He also host’s the popular football phone in show ‘606’ on Radio Five Live from time to time and I always enjoy listening to that too.

One of his most memorable moments as a TV pundit was when he shaved off his trademark moustache. He made a bet on ‘Football Focus’ that Bolton Wanderers would be relegated from the Premiership in the 2001/02. season Bolton survived the drop that season and Lawro kept his word by shaving off the moustache and he hasn’t grown it back since.

My favourite personal story involving Lawro doesn’t have anything to do with his playing career. It concerns an incident at Royal Birkdale golf course a few years ago. He actually lives near there in the same gated community as Dalglish and Hansen. My mate’s brother was at the course with a few mates to watch the British Open when they spotted Lawro walking a few yards away from them. The lads began to shout the words “thatched roof” over and over again at him. This is in reference to how his haircut was famously described by Nick Hancock on the comedy sports quiz show ‘They Think It’s All Over’. Fortunately Lawro took the joke well and didn’t get upset with the shouting. Whenever I see my mate’s brother I usually ask him to recount the story because it never fails to make me laugh a lot.

Mark Lawrenson is one of the finest players in Liverpool history. He was a versatile defender of amazing quality and he was a pivotal figure in some of the club’s greatest successes. His partnership in central defence with Alan Hansen is regarded by many to be the best ever in British football.

Video Clip:
35 - Mark Lawrenson

Lawro Phonecall

What do you think? Give Ste your comments at steSpeed [at] lfcvancouver.com.

By anonymous, 18 April 07.

With the big event just around the corner, I have decided that it is time to invest in more black clothing. I am, after all, a widow. Luckily, I have not lost my husband to a tragic accident nor due to a serious illness. He has been stolen from me by 11 men. Or should I say by his love and passion for 11 other men? No need to read that again. You read it right the first time. So I’m a different sort of widow, a football widow.

When the weekend arrives I’ll often roll over for a little weekend nookie or a Saturday morning snuggle only to discover that my man isn’t there. When I stumble out of the bedroom I am greeted by one of two things, either an empty apartment because he’s watching the match at the pub, or by him yelling directions and insults at players who can’t hear him. On these latter occasions, I could position myself directly in front of the television wearing Liverbird pasties while doing a strip tease to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and it wouldn’t faze him one bit. He would simply say “get out of the way, luv and make me a full English”.

Most Saturdays he’s able to join his fellow members of the LFC Vancouver Branch and talk footy with them instead of having a monologue while I nod my head, roll my eyes and plan my day. This means that the days of getting up before dawn to escort him on the bus to an Ex Servicemen’s club to watch a match with a dozen old men who obviously know I don’t belong there are gone. Gone are the days of him trying to explain what exactly was so wrong with that last play.

I have to admit that there are some things that I do miss. Like the expression on his face when I say things like, “yeah, that was a good game but that guy in the yellow wasn’t trying very hard”. Or knowing I could easily get a rise out of him by asking what colour he’s cheering for. As if the Liverpool flag in the living room and his numerous team shirts weren’t a huge tip off.

Despite my complaints that I come second to football on his list of priorities, I am glad that he has found such a great group to watch and discuss the matches with. It’s this supporters club that is helping to make Canada and more specifically, Vancouver, feel like home. For that, I have to thank you all.

What do you think? Give us your comments at webmaster [at] lfcvancouver.com.

Kop to take centre stage - Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL have given the go-ahead to form an official ‘Kop choir’ for the start of next season – as the new owners’ vision for the most famous stand in the world becomes clearer.

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DANIEL AGGER has warned that the hard work starts now for Liverpool – but insists the players are in prime condition to carry it out.

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LIVERPOOL legend Kenny Dalglish is excited by the potential for growth at the club as Rafael Benitez’s side close in on a second Champions League final in three seasons.

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On March 31st 2007 Liverpool saw one of their best wins of the season play out in front of them. A famous 4-1 win against Arsenal. Something, you would expect most Liverpool fans to be happy about. However there was one major downside to the day.

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Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish believes that Rafa Benitez has turned Liverpool into a brilliantly organised side who have the belief and ability to achieve more success in the Champions League this season.

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Sunday April 15th 2007 marks the 18th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster where 96 innocent Liverpool supporters were crushed in one of sport’s greatest ever tragedies.

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Sydney FC are considering a move for Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler.

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Today is the 18th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster. Our thoughts go out to the families of the 96, those injured in the disaster and those others that suffer to this day. You will never be forgotten and you will never, ever, walk alone.

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Peter Hooton, lifelong Liverpool fan, former frontman of The Farm and journalist for The End, NME, The Face and PartizanMedia, on the true heroes from April 15th 1989.

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It may have been a song Liverpool supporters have sung for years, but now even manager Rafa Benitez has admitted he “dreams of a team of Carragher’s”.

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I agreed with Bill Shankly's quote about the greatest day of the English season being FA Cup Semi-Final day. At 20 years of age I went to my second consecutive Semi-Final at Hillsborough.

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Liverpoolfc.tv would like to congratulate striker Dirk Kuyt on becoming a father for the second time.

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Jose Mourinho says Chelsea's quest to win four trophies this season could play into Liverpool's hands when they meet in an all-English Champions League semi-final later this month.

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The Liverpool manager believes he has the edge over his Chelsea rival - and recent results seem to prove him right

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We're getting a brand new stadium. At last. Regardless of where you stand on the issue it finally looks like the influx of American dollars has brought to reality what to many people seemed destined to remain a pie-in-the-sky fantasy.

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RAFA BENITEZ will not turn his back on Liverpool... because his wife won't let him.

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Let me start by saying that I'm still seriously irked by the notion that victory over Chelsea in the 2005 Champions League semi-final was controversial. Or, indeed, lucky.

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YNWA/JFT 96,
Andy Neumann

Standings as of 20 April 07.

Rank	Member	Points
1	Ste	39
1	Kevin	39
3	Lance	36
4	Dennis	33
5	Mark Aston	30
6	Andy	26
7	Keith	22
8	Glenn Whyte	10
9	Chris Cole	6
10	Quentin	5
11	Glenn Whitt.	3

To enter the members contest see the rules below.

RULES:

• Only open to paid LFC Vancouver Members.
• You list the names of the players you think will start the next LFC match.
• You must submit your list to lfcvancouver [at] gmail.com at least 12 hours before kick-off.
• This contest will include every match that LFC plays this season. Starting with Blackburn.
• The member(s) that correctly guess the starting XI will be awarded 5 points.
• At the end of the season the player with the most points will win the prize.
• What is the prize? It is a surprise!
• The standings will be included in each week’s newsletter.

Scoring System:

• 11 Correct picks = 5 points.
• 10 Correct picks = 3 points.
• 9 Correct picks = 1 point.
• 0-8 Correct picks = 0 points.

YNWA/JFT 96,

Andy Neumann