Players - Billy Liddell

Billy Liddell
Birthdate: 10 January 1922
Birthplace: Townhill, Scotland
Date of death: 3 July 2001
Other clubs: Lochgelly Violet (1937-38); Chelsea, Linfield, Cambridge Town, Toronto Scottish, Dunfermline (wartime guest), Hearts (wartime guest)
Signed from: Lochgelly Violet
Signed for LFC: £200, 27 July 1938 - Professional 17.04.1939
International debut: 15.05.1946 vs. Switzerland
International caps: 29/8 - 08.10.1955
Liverpool debut: 05.01.1946
Last appearance: 31.08.1960
Debut goal: 05.01.1946
Last goal: 05.03.1960
Contract expiry: 1961
Win ratio: 41.57% W:222 D:134 L:178
Games/goals ratio: 2.34
Honours: League Championship 1946/47
Wartime games/goals: 154 / 83
League games / goals: 492 / 215
Total games / goals: 534 / 228

Player Profile

William Beveridge Liddell started his career with local teams Kingseat Juveniles and Lochgelly Violet. Billy came first to Liverpool in July 1938 and nine months later signed a professional contract. Had it not been for a certain Sir Matt Busby, Liverpool's former captain and later Manchester United's manager, Billy might never have been a Liverpool player. Busby found out that representatives of Manchester City had been to see Billy's parents with a view to getting their son to join the club. After learning that Billy had turned down the invitation to go to City, Busby rang Liverpool manager George Kay and suggested that "this Liddell lad might be worth an enquiry"; and indeed he was ... and how! Before Liddell went to Liverpool, he was hired as an accountant at Simon Jude & West in Liverpool. His parents had it put into the contract that Billy would be allowed to continue his studies because they wanted him to have something to fall back on if things didn't work out. Liddell trained full-time in pre-season, but trained only twice-a-week as the season started, the only Liverpool player who held two jobs. But, he had hardly settled when World War II broke out, so Liddell had to wait six years to make his formal debut. Billy enlisted in the RAF and was sent to a training camp in Cambridge and later on to Manitoba in Canada.

Billy finally played his first game for Liverpool and scored his first goal on New Years' Day 1940, beating Crewe 7-3. He was said to have given a "most promising display, his ball control and sense of positioning being features." Liddell made his amateur international debut against England at Wembley on 18 April 1942, four years before making his official debut for Liverpool! His teammates were among others Bill Shankly and Matt Busby, but it was the young Billy that captured everyone's imagination. "Maestro Liddell. Ten minutes was sufficient for this boy to play himself into these critical, hard-beating Hampden hearts," said a press reporter. "He took the equalizer with a lovely timed header. But it was the way he had in the second goal which put him in the Maestro class. Liddell did the spadework and Dodds did the finishing for what must be one of the greatest goals Hampden has ever seen. The outstripping of the defence, the quick pass with the "wrong" foot, and then Dodds' glorious first-timer. What a goal!" Scotland ran out 5-4 winners. Liddell made 152 appearances in wartime football for Liverpool and scored 82 goals. As early as 1940 a press headline read: "Liddell is war's best find."

Liverpool's future talisman played his first official game for the club in the FA Cup against Chester at Anfield on 5 January 1946. Liddell scored one goal in a 2-0 win. The League competition started in the autumn, but he missed pre-season because he was still in the air-force. Liverpool had already played two games when Liddell made his League debut in a 7-4 win over Chelsea. He scored two goals, the first of which came straight from a corner kick in front of the Kop in the third minute. Despite the 24-year-old left-winger had never turned out in the League previously for Liverpool, he was already viewed as a key player for the side evident by "Bee" Edwards' report for the Liverpool Daily Post. "Liddell like Fagan is still not his fittest, and I believe this condition led Chelsea to their great chance in the later stages. Liddell means so much to his side." In the first post-war season, Billy scored seven goals in 35 games and Liverpool celebrated their fifth League title. But Liverpool couldn't match their triumph despite Liddell's brilliance. Billy twice represented Great Britain against Europe, in 1947 and then in 1955 when Liverpool was playing in the Second Division, which goes to show how highly-rated he was. Only Billy and Sir Stanley Matthews managed to be chosen to play both these games. Billy was disappointed to miss out on the FA Cup after being kicked from pillar to post in the 1950 final defeat against Arsenal. Liddell was especially painfully fouled by the Arsenal right-half, a fellow Scotsman, Alex Forbes. "I couldn't put my jacket on the next day," Liddell recalled. Nobody could have blamed him for abandoning ship when after promising seasons that always ended up in mid-table Liverpool were relegated in 1954. Liddell had established himself as Liverpool's greatest star, the club's top-scorer four seasons out of eight in the top-flight, but there was only so much one man could do.

Liddell had a number of admirers but felt at home at Liverpool. He was moved up front and made captain in the 1955/56 season. Goals came easy to him and he scored 115 in five seasons in the Second Division. All careers must come to an end, even Billy Liddell's! He retired 39 years of age when the Shankly revolution was about to start. Shankly did enjoy the powers of his compatriot on occasion and certainly wished that Liddell had been twenty years younger. "Liddell was some player... He had everything," Shankly enthused. "He was fast, powerful, shot with either foot and his headers were like blasts from a gun. On top of all that he was as hard as granite. What a player! He was so strong – and he took a nineteen-inch collar shirt!" It was no coincidence that Liverpool became to be known as "Liddellpool". Ian Callaghan considers Billy, Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard as Liverpool Football Club's finest and there's no reason to argue with Cally. "Billy was my idol when I was at school and it was fantastic to take over from him," Callaghan said. "I had so much respect for him. Great man - He was a god in Liverpool. I took over from him on the wing and he finished playing not long after that. When I went to my first professional football match it was Liverpool. When Billy got the ball the anticipation from the crowd was just huge. What is he going to do with it? Is he going to shoot from 30 yards or take it past people? He was wonderful. Billy played with a heavy ball on the heavy pitches. The way he used to kick the ball, wow! He was so strong."

On 31 August 1960 Liddell made his last-ever appearance for Liverpool in a 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the Second Division. No other player had made more appearances for the club than King Billy, a total of 534 eclipsing Elisha Scott's total of 468. Three weeks later Liddell's testimonial took place against an International XI which included several greats such as Bert Trautmann (Manchester City), Sir Stanley Matthews (Blackpool), Nat Lofthouse (Bolton) and Sir Thomas Finney (Preston North End's legend). Liverpool won 4-2 with Liddell scoring for the opposition and netting £6,000 for which he bought a house. On the eve of his testimonial, Billy revealed once more his affection for his club and the city it was based in. "It has often been said that there is no sentiment in football, but I believe that my career, at least, has proved that wrong. Every Scot is proud of his heritage, but I am equally proud to know that in the city of my adoption I am accepted as a fellow-Liverpudlian. It hardly seems 22 years since I was being warned about the "terrible" city which has meant so much to me. I cannot recall who said that a city is not just bricks and mortar and fine buildings, it is the people in it, but it expresses what I think. I would like to take the opportunity of thanking the much-maligned Liverpool supporters for the encouragement they have given to me. I have always been happy at Anfield for I know we have the staunchest bunch of supporters in the land."

"What can you say about him? Liverpool have had some good club players, but I think he is the finest in their history. Look at him today. I used to do a bit of running around, but he does a lot more than I ever did," said Donald Mackinlay, Liverpool's captain from the 1920s, in 1955. He added poignantly: "Matthews is a great entertainer, but for me that Liddell man is “It”. He is one of the greatest club men ever to have played football.”
Appearances per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 492 42 0 0 0 534
1939-1940 0 0 0 0 0 0
1945-1946 0 2 0 0 0 2
1946-1947 34 6 0 0 0 40
1947-1948 37 2 0 0 0 39
1948-1949 38 4 0 0 0 42
1949-1950 41 7 0 0 0 48
1950-1951 35 1 0 0 0 36
1951-1952 40 3 0 0 0 43
1952-1953 39 1 0 0 0 40
1953-1954 36 1 0 0 0 37
1954-1955 40 4 0 0 0 44
1955-1956 39 5 0 0 0 44
1956-1957 41 1 0 0 0 42
1957-1958 35 5 0 0 0 40
1958-1959 19 0 0 0 0 19
1959-1960 17 0 0 0 0 17
1960-1961 1 0 0 0 0 1
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps Minutes Opponent
23 2070 Middlesbrough
20 1800 Derby
19 1710 Stoke City
19 1710 Huddersfield Town
18 1620 Wolves
17 1530 Bolton Wanderers
16 1470 Burnley
16 1440 Arsenal
16 1440 Chelsea
16 1440 Portsmouth
16 1440 Sunderland
15 1350 Blackpool
14 1260 Manchester City
14 1260 Blackburn Rovers
14 1260 Charlton Athletic
14 1260 Manchester United
13 1170 Aston Villa
13 1170 Sheffield United
12 1110 Lincoln City
12 1080 Newcastle United
12 1080 Everton
12 1080 Fulham
10 900 Grimsby Town
10 900 Preston North End
10 900 Bristol Rovers
10 900 Swansea City
9 840 Nottingham Forest
8 720 West Ham United
8 720 Rotherham United
8 720 Notts County
8 720 Barnsley
8 720 Sheffield Wednesday
8 720 WBA
7 630 Birmingham City
7 630 Doncaster Rovers
7 630 Bristol City
6 540 Cardiff City
6 540 Leeds United
6 540 Bury
6 540 Tottenham
6 540 Port Vale
5 450 Ipswich Town
5 450 Hull City
5 450 Plymouth Argyle
4 390 Scunthorpe United
4 360 Leyton Orient
4 360 Leicester City
3 270 Southend
2 180 Luton Town
2 180 Brighton & Hove Albion
1 90 Norwich City
1 90 Walsall
1 90 Southampton
1 90 Brentford
1 90 Exeter City
1 90 Chester City
1 90 Workington
1 90 Accrington Stanley
1 90 Gateshead
1 90 Stockport County
1 90 Northampton Town
Total Venue
269 Home
260 Away
5 Neutral
Total Competition
492 League
42 FA Cup
Total W D L Win % Manager
214 76 57 81 35.5% Don Welsh
194 86 47 61 44.3% George Kay
107 52 24 31 48.6% Phil Taylor
12 4 4 4 33.3% Bill Shankly
7 4 2 1 57.1% Caretaker Manager
Goals per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 215 13 0 0 0 228
1939-1940 0 0 0 0 0 0
1945-1946 0 1 0 0 0 1
1946-1947 7 1 0 0 0 8
1947-1948 10 1 0 0 0 11
1948-1949 8 1 0 0 0 9
1949-1950 17 2 0 0 0 19
1950-1951 15 0 0 0 0 15
1951-1952 19 0 0 0 0 19
1952-1953 13 0 0 0 0 13
1953-1954 7 0 0 0 0 7
1954-1955 30 1 0 0 0 31
1955-1956 27 5 0 0 0 32
1956-1957 21 0 0 0 0 21
1957-1958 22 1 0 0 0 23
1958-1959 14 0 0 0 0 14
1959-1960 5 0 0 0 0 5
1960-1961 0 0 0 0 0 0
A more detailed look at the player's goalscoring
Wartime Appearances / Goals
Season Appearances Goals
1939-1940 16 9
1940-1941 37 12
1941-1942 36 22
1942-1943 15 5
1943-1944 6 4
1944-1945 15 13
1945-1946 29 18
Milestone Appearances
# Date Against Stadium Competition
1 05.01.1946 Chester Sealand Road FA Cup
50 27.09.1947 Everton Goodison Park League
100 04.12.1948 Burnley Anfield League
150 11.01.1950 Blackburn Rovers Anfield FA Cup
200 10.03.1951 Middlesbrough Ayresome Park League
250 26.04.1952 Preston North End Deepdale League
300 19.09.1953 Burnley Anfield League
350 25.12.1954 Ipswich Town Anfield League
400 11.02.1956 Plymouth Argyle Home Park League
450 30.03.1957 Lincoln City Sincil Bank League
500 10.09.1958 Sheffield United Anfield League
Milestone Goals
# Minute Date Against Stadium Competition
1 30 05.01.1946 Chester Sealand Road FA Cup
50 14 26.08.1950 Sunderland Anfield League
100 18 13.03.1954 Sheffield United Bramall Lane League
150 80 17.12.1955 Nottingham Forest Anfield League
200 15 19.02.1958 Doncaster Rovers Belle Vue League
Related Articles
My Liddell legend

by Ken Rogers of "The Liverpool Echo" - 8 January 1998

Liddell blasts Everton out of the cup

January 29, 1955. The Liverpool Football Echo

The Untold Story of Billy Howard - Part 2

Last week we introduced you to Billy Howard, an ardent Kopite who also had the pleasure and privilege to be on Liverpool Football Club's books. We hope you will enjoy reading this article as much as we enjoyed interviewing this gentleman.

The Untold Story of Billy Howard

Greats like Billy Howard have gone by unnoticed, since they never really made an impact on Liverpool FC's first team, but have given so much to the community of Liverpool, working with the local kids and helping them develop through football.

Billy Liddell, emperor of Merseyside

From Daily Mirror on 24 December, 1957.

King Billy Has Already Put The Great Into Britain

Article by Tony Barrett published on LFC.tv on 3rd July 2011.

A fantastic 4-0 cup win vs. Everton

Liverpool's win over Everton in the fourth round of the FA Cup on 29th January 1955 turned out to be one of their most surprising and most satisfying wins ever vs. their blue neighbours.

Liddell and Paisley make their League debut

Liverpool's game vs Chelsea on 7th of September 1946 was remarkable for various reasons.

Billy and Barnes at Anfield

It was a momentous occasion when one of the best players in the history of the club, rated by many supporters even as the very best, Billy Liddell, met Liverpool's talisman, John Barnes, in the early 90's, at Anfield.

Billy wins his only League title in 1947

Billy won his only championship with Liverpool in quite unusual circumstances after a spectacular finish to the 1946-47 season.

Legendary Liverpool winger in the old tradition

Brian Glanville on 5 July, 2001 in the Guardian.

Cally's Heroes

Ian Callaghan talks to BBC Radio Merseyside's John Keith about his hero, the Flying Scotsman Billy Liddell.

Are Liverpool right to leave out Liddell?

David Jack talks to a puzzled player in 1958.

Rena Liddell - Sister of Liverpool legend Billy

LFChistory's exclusive interview with Rena Liddell, Billy's sister.

The wonder left wingers of Liverpool

John Martin talks about his favourite players on the left hand side of Liverpool throughout his years supporting the Reds.

Liddell's two goal comeback

Liverpool Daily Post report on Liverpool 4 - 2 Bristol City on 26 August 1959.

Liverpool dive but to come up again

Liverpool Echo on 1 May 1954.

My football life by Billy Liddell

Liverpool Echo on 2 November 1951.

Liverpool win At Fulham as Liddell dropped

By Steven Horton at theanfielders.com.

Liverpool life in the 2nd division

John Martin followed the team's fortunes when the team got relegated in 1954.

It's a Liverpool - Arsenal final

The Liverpool Football Echo on 25 March 1950.

The finest Liverpool v Everton of all time

The Liverpool Daily Post on 27 March 1950.

Billy Liddell in his own words

Sir Matt Busby was the one who recommended Billy Liddell to Liverpool.

Spurs have the bark, but Liddell hat-trick carries the bite

Match report on Tottenham - Liverpool from the Liverpool Echo on 01.12.1951.

Billy Liddell - The Original Exocet Missile

Wooltonian remembers the foundation on which Liddellpool was built, the Liverpool legend Billy Liddell.

Four goals in four minutes at Ewood

Match report on Blackburn - Liverpool from the Liverpool Echo on 22nd February 1958.

Melia shines in seven goal thriller

Match report from Liverpool - Nottm Forest from the Liverpool Echo on 17.12.1955.

Liddell puts league leaders Fulham on the spot

Match report on Liverpool - Fulham from the Liverpool Echo on 18.09.1954.

A week in the life of Billy Liddell by Wooltonian

An article by Wooltonian based on My Soccer Story, the autobiography of Billy Liddell.

Unique programmes: Two Legends Arrive

The first post-war season of 1946-47 saw Liverpool being crowned as Champions of England. Their second home match pitted them against Chelsea.

Explosive, hard, loyal – the name’s Liddell

Daily Mail article on Billy Liddell from 12 December 1957

Related Quotes

"Oh, what power! Opponents were frightened to death of the most gentle man on earth. Bill was so strong it was unbelievable. You couldn't shake him off the ball. It didn't matter where he was playing, though I suppose his best position was outside-left. He could go round you, or past you, or even straight through you sometimes!"

Bob Paisley on Billy Liddell

"My first match at Anfield was at right-back for Aston Villa. The roar from the Kop was awesome as Billy Liddell waltzed down the wing making us look like idiots. Then I began to recognize the source of Liddell’s magic. He was Liverpool’s inconspicuous craftsman at left half, Bob Paisley."

Former Spurs' captain and Aston Villa player Danny Blanchflower

"Yeah, it's incredible to think that I replaced him. The club used to be called 'Liddellpool' in the 1950s, which shows you just how much he was respected. In my opinion Liddell, Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish were the three best Liverpool players ever, but I would put Billy ahead of the other two as the greatest."

Ian Callaghan’s hero was Billy Liddell

"For five years as a schoolboy I used to play Rugby every Saturday morning and Soccer each afternoon, and all I could think of was that one day I might be good enough to play for Glasgow Rangers. Instead, Liverpool brought me south, and I’ve never regretted the day. I reckon the greatest honour to come my way was to be chosen for Great Britain against the Rest of Europe in 1947, and my most thrilling memory was the first goal I scored for Scotland, in my first international against England at Hampden Park in 1942."

Billy Liddell in 1950

"What can you say about him? Liverpool have had some good club players, but I think he is the finest in their history. Look at him today. I used to do a bit of running around, but he does a lot more than I ever did. Matthews is a great entertainer, but for me that Liddell man is “It”. He is one of the greatest club men ever to have played football."

Donald MacKinlay - Former Liverpool captain from the 20's in 1955

"Billy was so strong. His head and neck was all in one. This is my impression of him; I can remember him with two defenders hanging off him. He was so strong. With both feet, left or right, on the wing or centre-forward. He could play anywhere. Brilliant player."

Gerry Byrne - Liverpool 1953-1969 - Quote from LFChistory's exclusive interview with Gerry in 2008

Billy was my idol when I was at school and it was fantastic to take over from him. I had so much respect for him. Great man - It's very hard to compare decades, but in the 50s, they used to call them Liddellpool. He was a god in Liverpool. I took over from him on the wing and he finished playing not long after that. Billy Liddell was incredible. When I went to my first professional football match it was Liverpool. When Billy got the ball the anticipation from the crowd was just huge. What is he going to do with it? Is he going to shoot from 30 yards or take it past people? He was wonderful. Billy played with a heavy ball on the heavy pitches. The way he used to kick the ball, wow! He was so strong!

Later I worked for the Littlewoods Pools Company Spot the ball and Billy was on the panel. Billy was the chairman and I actually took over as chairman from Billy. I got to know him and he was a really quiet and a really nice man. Terrific. He is one of those of the people who will always be remembered in Liverpool like Shankly and Paisley.

Ian Callaghan - Liverpool 1960-1978 - Quote from LFChistory's exclusive interview with Ian in 2008.

"Of all the players I have seen though, the outstanding one was Billy Liddell. When he was at his peak just after the war, George Kay used to hold pre-match tactical talks and just tell the others: "Give the ball to Billy whenever you can, and he'll win it for us." He usually did too."

Leslie "Bee" Edwards, the sports editor of the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo.

Scrapbook
"Liddell is war's best find" - from 1940.
"Liddell is war's best find" - from 1940.
21 November 1958
21 November 1958
A chat with Billy on his performance for Scotland - from 1950
A chat with Billy on his performance for Scotland - from 1950
A night to remember - 21 September 1960
A night to remember - 21 September 1960
An interview with Billy after his first wartime international in 1942.
An interview with Billy after his first wartime international in 1942.
Arnell an inadequate replacement for Liddell - March 1959
Arnell an inadequate replacement for Liddell - March 1959
Billy Liddell on the cover of the Football Monthly - August 1959
Billy Liddell on the cover of the Football Monthly - August 1959
Billy Liddell on the cover of the Football Monthly - November 1952
Billy Liddell on the cover of the Football Monthly - November 1952
Billy Liddell remembers the Everton semi-final in 1950
Billy Liddell remembers the Everton semi-final in 1950
Billy Liddell's salute to Bob Paisley on 5 May 1979
Billy Liddell's salute to Bob Paisley on 5 May 1979
Caricature
Caricature
Chance of final glory slipped by - The Echo on 29 April 1950
Chance of final glory slipped by - The Echo on 29 April 1950
Charlie Buchan's Footballer of the year - April 1961
Charlie Buchan's Footballer of the year - April 1961
Echo drawing - 21 September 1960
Echo drawing - 21 September 1960
Echo sketch 13 October 1958
Echo sketch 13 October 1958
From Liddell to Thompson - two wing wizards meet
From Liddell to Thompson - two wing wizards meet
Giants of Anfield
Giants of Anfield
In the Liverpool FC version of the Beatles in Ked Dodds' 1964 Christmas show.
In the Liverpool FC version of the Beatles in Ked Dodds' 1964 Christmas show.
Liddell backs Liverpool on top to stay! - November 1963
Liddell backs Liverpool on top to stay! - November 1963
Liddell honours Sir Stanley Matthews - 1958
Liddell honours Sir Stanley Matthews - 1958
Liddell on famous Merseyside derbies
Liddell on famous Merseyside derbies
Liddell retiring - May 1961
Liddell retiring - May 1961
Liddell rewards team for good season
Liddell rewards team for good season
Liddell tribute to Rush - 7 May 1984
Liddell tribute to Rush - 7 May 1984
Liddell's expert view on the 62/63 team
Liddell's expert view on the 62/63 team
Liddell's testimonial 21 September 1960
Liddell's testimonial 21 September 1960
Liddell, A'Court and Wheeler on the cover of the Evening Express on 27 April 1957
Liddell, A'Court and Wheeler on the cover of the Evening Express on 27 April 1957
Liverpool Echo from 9 November 1957
Liverpool Echo from 9 November 1957
Liverpool Echo sketch - 13 September 1945
Liverpool Echo sketch - 13 September 1945
Liverpool Echo sketch - 21 September 1946
Liverpool Echo sketch - 21 September 1946
Liverpool Echo sketch - 3 November 1941
Liverpool Echo sketch - 3 November 1941
Liverpool Echo's cover from 19 February 1955
Liverpool Echo's cover from 19 February 1955
Liverpool Echo's Liddell Souvenir cover
Liverpool Echo's Liddell Souvenir cover
Liverpool to come up again - from the Echo in May 1954
Liverpool to come up again - from the Echo in May 1954
Liverpool's FA Cup triumph on 4th March 1950 as seen by cartoonist George Green.
Liverpool's FA Cup triumph on 4th March 1950 as seen by cartoonist George Green.
Poster of Billy Liddell - Football Monthly
Poster of Billy Liddell - Football Monthly
September 1959
September 1959
Sketch from 1 July 1960
Sketch from 1 July 1960
Stephen Done's column in Liverpool's match programme on Europe vs. Rest of the World in 1955
Stephen Done's column in Liverpool's match programme on Europe vs. Rest of the World in 1955
The fatherly eye of George Kay - from the Echo in April 1954
The fatherly eye of George Kay - from the Echo in April 1954
The neat destroyer - Football Monthly November 1952
The neat destroyer - Football Monthly November 1952
Time out for Billy - LFC Official Matchday Magazine
Time out for Billy - LFC Official Matchday Magazine