Players - Elisha Scott

Elisha Scott
Birthdate: 24 August 1893
Birthplace: Belfast, Ireland
Date of death: 16 May 1959
Other clubs: Linfield (1911-1912), Broadway United (1912); Belfast United, Linfield, Belfast Celtic (war guest), Belfast Celtic (1934-36)
Signed from: Unafilliated
Signed for LFC: 01.09.1912
International debut: 13.03.1920 vs. Scotland
International caps: Northern Ireland 31/0 (27 at LFC) - 11.03.1936
Liverpool debut: 01.01.1913
Last appearance: 21.02.1934
Contract expiry: 25.06.1934
Win ratio: 42.31% W:198 D:120 L:150
Honours: League Championship 1921/22, 1922/23
Wartime games/goals: 15 / 0
League games / goals: 430 / 0
Total games / goals: 468 / 0
League clean sheets: 126
Total clean sheets: 137

Player Profile

Quite possibly the greatest goalkeeper in Liverpool's history, the Ulsterman's Anfield career spanned an astonishing 22 years from his arrival in 1912 until he left in 1934. Had World War I not taken away four years of his professional career, Elisha Scott would undoubtedly have made many more than the 468 first-team appearances for his one and only English club. Elisha wanted to follow in the footsteps of his elder brother, Irish international goalkeeper Billy, who had just finished his eight-year career at Everton. He arranged a trial for Elisha at Everton who didn't sign him on account of his small stature. Blues' loss was Reds' gain and Billy recommended his baby brother to Liverpool. In fact Billy Scott featured for Liverpool in the wartime 1918/19 season and was a reserve for half of the 1919/20 season.

Elisha started playing youth football for Belfast's Boys' Brigade in 1909, as a striker. The reason he became a goalkeeper was because of an arguement with one of his teammates at the time. In a match he told his goalkeeper off: "What's the use of us scoring goals against the other team and you're letting them in, my granny could be a better goalie than you!" The next match Elisha was wondering what the team were laughing about until he looked up at the board that had the names and playing positions, it read: Goalkeeper.. Elisha Scott's Granny.. It was said after that Elisha decided to become a goalkeeper. The Lloyds Weekly news reported on 25 August 1912 that "much interest has been created by the announcement that Liverpool will to-morrow in a trial match play a new goalkeeper named Elisha Scott, who hails from Belfast, and is only eighteen years old [he was in fact nineteen]. He is said to be one of the best young goalkeepers in Ireland." Following his trial Elisha signed for Liverpool on 1 September 1912 at 10 am on a Sunday morning in the Liverpool office. His last club, Broadway United, which didn't own Scott as such did complain to Liverpool for not receiving a penny and later Liverpool agreed to a small donation towards their pitch. The Ulsterman fractured his wrist early on but finally made his debut for Liverpool on 1 January 1913 in a goalless draw against Newcastle at St James' Park and the Liverpool Echo gave him a good review: "Hats off to Scott, Liverpool's youthful guardian. His debut was brilliant and a pleasing augury." Newcastle were so impressed with Scott that they made an offer of £1,000 for his services. Ten months passed before the twenty-year-old got a second chance between the sticks when Liverpool faced Bolton. The Echo was again impressed: "Campbell's excellence has kept Scott back from senior football, but today Scott made his first appearance at Anfield for the first team, and was accorded a hearty welcome. Very much like Hardy in appearance and in his method of clearing Elisha Scott is described by one critic as 'more promising at his age than even Hardy was', high praise."

Sam Hardy was Liverpool's main 'keeper from 1905 to 1912 but the current number one was 20-year-old Kenneth Campbell. Scott displaced him for the last 23 first division fixtures of the 1914/15 season. Campbell was still between the posts immediately after the war as Scott was recuperating following an operation for varicocele, an enlarged testicular vein that could cause infertility. Scott returned to his old position at the end of March and within a week Campbell was transferred to Partick Thistle. 'Lisha was named in the team for the opening game of the 1920/21 season, a position he held on to for many a season after that. Scott only missed three League matches when the League Championship was won in 1922 and was one of three "ever-presents" when the title was retained a year later. When Scott was approaching his mid 30's South African Arthur Riley was given more playing time and having made only one appearance in four months Liverpool offered £9,000 and Scott in exchange for Preston North End's inside forward Alex James as the 1928/29 season drew to a close. The Liverpool legend would have departed but James rejected the proposal due to his wage demands. Everton had already had one offer for Scott in 1928 rejected but when they came back in January 1930 Liverpool were ready to let him go and secretly accepted a £5,000 bid from the Blues. The deal was thankfully called off when Scott received an ankle injury. Thirty-seven-year-old Scott eventually reclaimed his place in the team in March 1931 and was a regular in the side for the next two years.



Although relatively small for a goalkeeper, 5 ft. 91/2 ins. (175 cm.) Elisha's agility and courage were never in question, nor was his loyalty to the club he served so well for so long. His age and Riley's form restricted him to just ten first division appearances in his final season on Merseyside, 1933/34. He was transfer listed in April 1934, available for £250, causing great outrage among the fans. Everton were finally going to land their man as Liverpool's Board had agreed to the sale and Elisha was willing to leave to play regularly. Liverpool fans launched a newspaper campaign, flooding the local paper with letters of protest as the following published on 24 April 1934: "To think, the one and only Elisha should have to submit to the indignity of a transfer is unthinkable, especially as it is being proved week in and week out where the weakness is. He is the world's best. The 'owld man' could do for me if he came out and played in goal on crutches. The fans' reaction changed the club's mind. Such was the aura that surrounded him that the club took the unusual step of allowing Elisha to address the home crowd before the final home match at Anfield against Chelsea: "We have always been the best of friends and shall always remain so. I have finished with English association football. Last, but not least, my friends of the Kop. I cannot thank them sufficiently. They have inspired me. God bless you all." The Liverpool Echo bade Liverpool’s talisman farewell: "Invariably his work has been that of a master – a master of divination and anticipation, amounting to little less than positive genius. Intuition some people would call it; doublesight or perceptive powers we prefer to say; and all due to an instanter reasoning out of “where“ the opposition intended to plant that ball. And so it just “happened” that Scott got there first. That’s all."

Elisha Scott putting with fellow teammates Alan Scott and James Jackson
No one was on par with Elisha - here with teammates Alan Scott and James Jackson

Elisha returned to his homeland to join Belfast Celtic as their player-manager, leaving behind an army of admirers and a host of wonderful memories. He was first capped at full international level by Northern Ireland shortly after the end of the war and remarkably enough was still selected to represent his country two years after he left Liverpool, by which time he was over forty years old! Mackinlay could vouch for that Elisha had not forgotten anything even at that age. "Look at Elisha. I saw him play in goal for the Irish League against the English League when he must have been 44. He played a blinder and when his team won, looked as though he could have jumped over the crossbar." Elisha played his final game for Belfast Celtic in 1936 in his forty-third year. Elisha is Belfast Celtic's most influential manager, guiding the club through a trophy-laden period collecting ten Irish League titles from 1936-1942, 1944, 1947 and 1948, six Irish Cups, three City Cups, eight Gold Cups and five County Antrim Shields. Sectarian crowd trouble led to Celtic withdrawing from the Irish league in 1949 as the club felt it couldn’t protect their players and supporters from further violence. 

In 1939 a survey was conducted among Liverpool supporters to name the greatest player Liverpool FC had ever had in their ranks. Elisha Scott’s popularity was such that he topped this prestigious list. 

"Elisha was the greatest I've ever seen. You can have Swift, Trautmann, Banks, Wilson. You can have them all. I'll take Elisha Scott." - Dixie Dean.
Appearances per season
Please note

Contrary to popular belief Elisha was born in 1893, not 1894.. Elizabeth Hargreaves, his niece and carer of his graveside in Belfast, has his birth certificate and shared this significant piece of information with us.

Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 430 37 0 0 1 468
1912-1913 1 0 0 0 0 1
1913-1914 4 0 0 0 0 4
1914-1915 23 2 0 0 0 25
1919-1920 9 0 0 0 0 9
1920-1921 26 3 0 0 0 29
1921-1922 39 3 0 0 1 43
1922-1923 42 4 0 0 0 46
1923-1924 42 5 0 0 0 47
1924-1925 38 4 0 0 0 42
1925-1926 39 3 0 0 0 42
1926-1927 32 4 0 0 0 36
1927-1928 17 0 0 0 0 17
1928-1929 22 0 0 0 0 22
1929-1930 8 0 0 0 0 8
1930-1931 14 0 0 0 0 14
1931-1932 37 4 0 0 0 41
1932-1933 27 1 0 0 0 28
1933-1934 10 4 0 0 0 14
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps Minutes Opponent
25 2250 Newcastle United
24 2160 Sunderland
23 2070 Sheffield United
21 1890 WBA
21 1890 Arsenal
20 1800 Bolton Wanderers
20 1800 Everton
20 1800 Aston Villa
20 1800 Manchester City
19 1710 Birmingham City
18 1620 Blackburn Rovers
17 1530 Chelsea
16 1440 Huddersfield Town
15 1350 Burnley
14 1260 West Ham United
13 1170 Cardiff City
13 1170 Manchester United
12 1080 Middlesbrough
12 1080 Leicester City
11 990 Tottenham
10 900 Oldham Athletic
9 810 Portsmouth
9 810 Sheffield Wednesday
9 810 Derby
9 810 Leeds United
9 810 Bury
9 810 Preston North End
8 720 Notts County
6 540 Nottingham Forest
5 450 Southampton
4 360 Blackpool
4 360 Wolves
4 360 Bradford City
4 360 Bradford Park Avenue
3 300 Fulham
3 270 Grimsby Town
2 180 Bournemouth
2 180 Stoke City
1 90 Bristol City
1 90 Tranmere Rovers
1 90 Stockport County
1 90 Chesterfield
1 90 Southport
Total Venue
234 Away
233 Home
1 Neutral
Total Competition
430 League
37 FA Cup
1 Charity Shield
Total W D L Win % Manager
190 79 53 58 41.6% Matt McQueen
136 49 31 56 36% George Patterson (2nd term)
100 49 27 24 49% David Ashworth
30 12 6 12 40% Tom Watson
12 9 3 0 75% Caretaker Manager
Clean sheets per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 126 11 0 0 0 137
1912-1913 1 0 0 0 0 1
1913-1914 0 0 0 0 0 0
1914-1915 4 1 0 0 0 5
1919-1920 4 0 0 0 0 4
1920-1921 10 0 0 0 0 10
1921-1922 15 1 0 0 0 16
1922-1923 21 2 0 0 0 23
1923-1924 14 2 0 0 0 16
1924-1925 15 2 0 0 0 17
1925-1926 10 2 0 0 0 12
1926-1927 10 0 0 0 0 10
1927-1928 2 0 0 0 0 2
1928-1929 4 0 0 0 0 4
1929-1930 2 0 0 0 0 2
1930-1931 4 0 0 0 0 4
1931-1932 4 1 0 0 0 5
1932-1933 5 0 0 0 0 5
1933-1934 1 0 0 0 0 1
Wartime Appearances / Goals
Season Appearances Goals
1915-1916 15 0
Milestone Appearances
# Date Against Stadium Competition
1 01.01.1913 Newcastle United St James' Park League
50 30.10.1920 Everton Goodison Park League
100 18.03.1922 Bolton Wanderers Anfield League
150 31.03.1923 Birmingham St Andrews League
200 12.04.1924 Middlesbrough Anfield League
250 12.09.1925 Arsenal Highbury League
300 25.12.1926 Burnley Turf Moor League
350 06.10.1928 West Ham United Upton Park League
400 28.11.1931 Arsenal Highbury League
450 14.01.1933 WBA The Hawthorns FA Cup
Related Articles
Elisha Scott - 1915-34: Derby Days

As Elisha Scott entered the home dressing- room at Anfield before one of his 20 derby days between 1915 and 1934, the story goes that he was greeted by a brown paper bag with his name written on it. Inside was a bottle of aspirin with a note attached that read: "I think you might be needing these — yours, Dixie."

Elisha Scott by Elisha Scott

Published in Manitoba Free Press, Winnipeg, Canada on 23 October 1929.

Evening Express report

Evening Express report on Everton 3 - 1 Liverpool played on October 1 1932.

The Irish Kop

The Irish Kop is a tribute from the heart of Anfield to those amazing fans who go to incredible lengths to follow Liverpool FC.

Men the game needs (by Elisha Scott)

Hastings and St Leonards Observer on 4 February 1933.

Elisha honoured in his hometown

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Elisha Scott was honoured in his homeland of Northern Ireland in a special service on 18th July 2009.

Dixie Dean and Elisha Scott - Friends and Enemies

The Everton legend, Dixie Dean was Reds' chief tormentor in the 20's and 30's. Elisha Scott was Liverpool's custodian when Dixie was running amok and one of the greatest goalkeepers in Liverpool's history.

Elisha Scott - Ever so solid guardian

Elisha Scott is without a doubt one of the greatest goalkeepers in Liverpool's history. His career spanned an astonishing 22 years from his arrival in September 1912 until he left in June 1934.

Roaring 20s by Wooltonian - part 3

Liverpool beat Everton and Sheffield United 5-1.

Related Quotes

"I've spoken to Dixie Dean about Elisha Scott and they had this fantastic rivalry in the 1920's. Dixie Dean said he was the best goalkeeper he had ever seen and played against. He also talked about his dreadful language. He was an Ulsterman from Belfast and his swearing was terrible, you could hear it all around the ground. It was no holds barred."

John Keith on Elisha Scott

Scrapbook
An open letter to Elisha - 1 November 1927
An open letter to Elisha - 1 November 1927
An open letter to Elisha - 23 June 1934
An open letter to Elisha - 23 June 1934
Arsenal come down to earth! - 26 January 1926
Arsenal come down to earth! - 26 January 1926
Elisha didn't turn a hair! (sketch) - 9 April 1932
Elisha didn't turn a hair! (sketch) - 9 April 1932
Elisha fails to stop Partridge - 12 January 1921
Elisha fails to stop Partridge - 12 January 1921
Elisha makes Newcastle sit up and notice!
Elisha makes Newcastle sit up and notice!
Elisha Scott's debut
Elisha Scott's debut
Elisha Scott's obituary - 16 May 1959
Elisha Scott's obituary - 16 May 1959
Elisha Scott's secrets - 25 February 1935
Elisha Scott's secrets - 25 February 1935
Elisha's record - 24 September 1932
Elisha's record - 24 September 1932
Elisha's twenty years at Anfield
Elisha's twenty years at Anfield
Elisha's wonder save - 17 January 1934
Elisha's wonder save - 17 January 1934
Glory of the goalkeeper - 15 November 1931
Glory of the goalkeeper - 15 November 1931
Great goalkeeping by Scott - 9 April 1932
Great goalkeeping by Scott - 9 April 1932
Great Irishmen I have played against, by Sir Stanley Matthews - 1949
Great Irishmen I have played against, by Sir Stanley Matthews - 1949
Great Scott - 25 August 1928
Great Scott - 25 August 1928
Hardy the 2nd - Liverpool Echo in the 1913/14 season
Hardy the 2nd - Liverpool Echo in the 1913/14 season
How Scott beat Dean in penalty-kick drama - 23 October 1928
How Scott beat Dean in penalty-kick drama - 23 October 1928
Limelights sketch - Liverpool Echo 1925/26
Limelights sketch - Liverpool Echo 1925/26
Liverpool's first win - 2 September 1925
Liverpool's first win - 2 September 1925
Liverpool's footballers in training by the sea - 20 January 1926
Liverpool's footballers in training by the sea - 20 January 1926
Liverpool's wonderful derby game - 26 September 1925
Liverpool's wonderful derby game - 26 September 1925
My bogymen on the field - 31 January 1931
My bogymen on the field - 31 January 1931
Oh no Elisha is leaving! (sketch)
Oh no Elisha is leaving! (sketch)
Putting with Alan Scott and James Jackson - 21 August 1930
Putting with Alan Scott and James Jackson - 21 August 1930
Scott on the alert - 8 October 1932
Scott on the alert - 8 October 1932
Scott stops Villa! - 10 September 1932
Scott stops Villa! - 10 September 1932
Scott's Personalia in Club programme 1913
Scott's Personalia in Club programme 1913
Sketch from 1 July 1960
Sketch from 1 July 1960
The great Elisha featured in Liverpool's match programme
The great Elisha featured in Liverpool's match programme
The last line of a great Liverpool goalkeeper - from 29 April 1934
The last line of a great Liverpool goalkeeper - from 29 April 1934
Tribute to Elisha - May 1959
Tribute to Elisha - May 1959
Tributes to Elisha - May 1959
Tributes to Elisha - May 1959
Two months' hard labour, by Dixie Dean - October 1928
Two months' hard labour, by Dixie Dean - October 1928
Was Elisha Scott the world's best goalkeeper? - a photo collage by LFChistory.net
Was Elisha Scott the world's best goalkeeper? - a photo collage by LFChistory.net