Players - Doug Rudham

Doug Rudham
Birthdate: 3 May 1926
Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa
Date of death: 13 August 1991
Other clubs: Johannesburg Rangers, Johannesburg Ramblers (1960-63)
Signed from: Johannesburg Rangers
Signed for LFC: 17.10.1954
International debut: 22.11.1953 vs. Portugal
International caps: 1/0
Liverpool debut: 20.11.1954
Last appearance: 14.11.1959
Contract expiry: May 1960
Win ratio: 45.45% W:30 D:17 L:19
League games / goals: 63 / 0
Total games / goals: 66 / 0
League clean sheets: 11
Total clean sheets: 13

Player Profile

Goalkeeper Robert "Doug" Rudham was on tour with the South African national team when he attracted Liverpool's interest. He had turned down a professional contract offer from first division Chelsea two years previously. He signed for the Reds at a time when Liverpool didn't seem to have a regular first-choice 'keeper. Rudham shared duties with Dave Underwood and Charlie Ashcroft during the 1954/55 season and even managed to keep his place after conceding nine goals at Birmingham in December! Rudham played in the first 17 League matches of the next season but lost his place to Underwood after conceding four goals at Leeds in November. “Dave has been doing so well in the reserves that his form simply cannot be ignored," said Liverpool boss Don Welsh. “It is up to Rudham to fight his way back.” When Underwood let in three at Fulham in April, Rudham was brought back for the final four games of the season. However, Tommy Younger was brought in from Hibernian during the close season and Rudham made only six appearances in the next three years.

When Younger moved on to Stoke in the 1959/60 season, Rudham was kept out by new signing Bert Slater but regained his place after three League matches and played in the next 14, bringing his total of appearances in the Football League to 63. His last game came in a 4-2 defeat at Lincoln, after which Slater won his place back as Bill Shankly was taking over the reins at the club. Rudham returned to his native Johannesburg in May 1960, playing local football for three years with Johannesburg Ramblers. He died in August 1991 after a long illness.
Appearances per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 63 3 0 0 0 66
1954-1955 22 3 0 0 0 25
1955-1956 21 0 0 0 0 21
1956-1957 2 0 0 0 0 2
1957-1958 3 0 0 0 0 3
1958-1959 1 0 0 0 0 1
1959-1960 14 0 0 0 0 14
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps Minutes Opponent
6 570 Lincoln City
4 360 Middlesbrough
4 360 Swansea City
3 270 Bristol Rovers
3 270 Rotherham United
3 270 Leeds United
3 270 West Ham United
3 270 Nottingham Forest
3 270 Fulham
3 270 Port Vale
2 180 Doncaster Rovers
2 180 Sheffield Wednesday
2 180 Birmingham City
2 180 Ipswich Town
2 180 Scunthorpe United
2 180 Blackburn Rovers
2 180 Derby
2 180 Plymouth Argyle
2 180 Bristol City
2 180 Hull City
1 90 Sheffield United
1 90 Brighton & Hove Albion
1 90 Stoke City
1 90 Portsmouth
1 90 Sunderland
1 90 Aston Villa
1 90 Luton Town
1 90 Bury
1 90 Notts County
1 90 Everton
1 90 Leicester City
Total Venue
34 Away
32 Home
Total Competition
63 League
3 FA Cup
Total W D L Win % Manager
46 21 11 14 45.7% Don Welsh
20 9 6 5 45% Phil Taylor
Clean sheets per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 11 2 0 0 0 13
1954-1955 3 2 0 0 0 5
1955-1956 3 0 0 0 0 3
1956-1957 1 0 0 0 0 1
1957-1958 2 0 0 0 0 2
1958-1959 1 0 0 0 0 1
1959-1960 1 0 0 0 0 1
Milestone Appearances
# Date Against Stadium Competition
1 20.11.1954 Nottingham Forest Anfield League
50 26.10.1957 Bristol Rovers Anfield League
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Scrapbook
Doug misses out on Huddersfield - 19 February 1955
Doug misses out on Huddersfield - 19 February 1955