Roy Saunders
Birthdate: 4 September 1930
Birthplace: Salford, England
Other clubs: Hull City (1946-48),
Swansea City (1959-63),
Ammanford Town (1964-69)
Bought from: Hull City
Signed for LFC: 24.05.1948
International caps: England youth
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Liverpool debut: 10.01.1953
Last appearance: 15.11.1958
Debut goal: 25.08.1956
Last goal: 25.08.1956
Contract expiry: March 1959
Win ratio: 43.15% W: 63 D: 31 L: 52
Total games/goals opposite LFC: 3 / 0
LFC league games/goals: 134 / 1
Total LFC games/goals: 146 / 1
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Player profile
The right-half had to wait nearly five years before getting his chance in the first team. After a dreadful run of eight defeats in the previous 11 League games, Liverpool beat Middlesbrough 3-2 at Ayresome Park. Leslie Edwards at the Liverpool Echo saw promise in Saunders in his fifth game for Liverpool against Bolton at Anfield on 4 March 1953. “I have never seen a greater contribution of sheer graft than came from Saunders. He must be as strong in the tackle as any player in the game. And how tireless! Besides his link with the attack when his shot hit the bar, he did sufficient to show that the material he possesses can be developed.” Saunders played in 13 of the last 16 League fixtures as the club narrowly avoided relegation, something which was however only delayed by one more year.
After the drop into Second Division, which coincided with the retirement of Phil Taylor, Saunders became more of a regular in the side. But after making only five first-team appearances in 1957/58 and one fewer the next season, he moved on to Swansea in March 1959 and played in nearly a hundred League games for the South Wales club. Saunders was appointed player-manager of Welsh side Ammanford Town in 1964. The club's most successful spell coincided with his spell in charge, The club won division one in 1965/66 and finished runners-up to Cardiff the two following seasons in the Premier Division. He later joined Swansea's coaching staff. Roy is the father of Dean Saunders who also graced the Liverpool shirt.