After Bob Paisley took over as manager of Liverpool, his very first signing was Phil Neal. And Phil would go on to play 365 consecutive league games for the club. Note that word “consecutive”. It is a phenomenal statistic — to play 365 games one right after the other, no interruptions! And this for a player who had come straight out of the Fourth Division.
Paisley and his support staff had had their eye on him, and had seen him a few times. They knew about his potential, and about his ability. Nevertheless, on the occasion of what was to be Neal’s last appearance for the 4th Division club, the Northampton Town chairman invited Paisley to come to see Northampton Town against Rotherham United.
“I wanted him to see what a fine player we were transferring to him,” the Northampton boss said said. But as things turned out, it wasn’t as a right back (his accustomed position) or left back (where he could play just as brilliantly), but for the last quarter of the game as goalkeeper! Northampton Town’s regular keeper was injured and Phil grabbed a green jersey and took over from him!
Liverpool shelled out £66,000 for the 23-year-old-player. He made his debut less than a month later in a derby at Goodison Park. It was Paisley’s first derby as Liverpool manager. On his way to the game, Neal didn’t even know he was in the team. But he carried his boots with him wrapped up in a paper parcel.
He was selected against Luton for his home debut at Anfield in 1974, and over the course of the next 11 years he would go on to become Liverpool’s most decorated player, surrounded by such icons as Graeme Souness, Mark Lawrenson, Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Ronnie Whelan and Bruce Grobbelaar.
Here’s a summary of the titles Phil Neal won: 8 English League titles; 4 European Champion Clubs’ winners’ medals; 4 English League Cup winners’ medals; UEFA Cup winner’s medal.
He was one of English football’s most impressive characters I’ve come across. I met him at Liverpool’s training ground, Melwood. Phil, who was Liverpool’s captain at the time, generously invited me there, and introduced me to the clutch of footballing stars that was the glittering Liverpool team of that era.
It was a handshake and a few words with each, and they were as mannerly and as good-natured as you could meet.
I remember talking to Dalglish about my meeting with Pele. Kenny was never the most voluble of speakers. And so he proved that day. After I summed up about Pele being one of the greatest ever, Kenny, nodded and said, “Ay, he could play a bit.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself!
