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Birthdate:
05.01.1957
Birthplace: Liverpool, England
Other clubs: Toronto Blizzard (Canada), Lucerne (Switzerland), Norwich, Oldham, Beveren (Belgium), Rochdale, Tranmere, Wigan, Knowsley (amateur)
Bought from: Local
Signed for LFC: £0 09.01.1974
International caps: U-21
Liverpool debut:
01.11.1975
Last appearance: 16.04.1983
Debut goal: 04.11.1975
Last goal: 09.04.1983
Contract expiry: 04.07.1983
LFC league games/goals: 98 / 34
Total LFC games/goals: 154 / 55
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Player Notes:
Local boy Fairclough exploded onto the football scene as a 19 year old to add some fresh impetus to Liverpool's neck-and-neck challenge with QPR for the First Division championship. In much the same way as Ronnie Rosenthal's arrival gave a new and unpredictable boost to the crucial final leg of the 1989-90 season, Fairclough's 7 goals from 5 starts with 9 substitute appearances were a big factor in Liverpool finally overhauling the Londoners in the final match of the season. Although it is his 'famous' goal against St. Etienne the following season which is most remembered, a mazy run from the half-way line with two minutes to go in the Anfield derby turned a goal-less draw into a priceless victory. That extra point was vital in the final analysis in 1976. As one of his colleagues said at the time: "He didn't know himself what he was going to do, so how could WE know?!".
It was hard for Fairclough to break the Keegan/Toshack partnership which was well-established but the Welshman's injury problems did give him a number of opportunities the following season, when Liverpool were competing for honours at home and abroad right to the end of an amazing season. However, there were only a further 3 league goals from 20 appearances (8 as a sub) to add to the 7 from the end of the season before. But on the 16th of March 1977 came the moment that would change his life. Liverpool was trailing by the away goal to the French champions with time running out in a frenzied atmosphere at Anfield in the European Cup quarter final. Fairclough latched on to Ray Kennedy's lob and headed for goal. The 'legend' will tell you that he beat several defenders on his way into Merseyside folklore but the reality is that he kept his eye on the ball, brushed aside any challenge from a defender and then calmly tucked his right-foot shot under Curkovic into the Kop goal to bring about scenes which those who were there still talk about with a lump in their throat and a shiver down their spine!
It was always going to be a hard act to follow, but in the following season Fairclough started 27 league matches out of his total of 29 and was also in the starting line-up when the Reds successfully defended their European crown at Wembley in the Spring. In the 1979-1980 season Fairclough scored 13 goals in 12 starts, but from the 1980-81 season onwards he was out injured quite a lot which curtailed his Anfield career. Fairclough started 7 games on the trot in August to October 1980, which was pretty much incredible considering his uncomfortable
"supersub" tag. Unfortunately he got injured and his season was over in early February and he didn't play again for Liverpool until October 1982! What had happened in the meantime? The arrival of a certain Ian Rush. Fairclough spent the summer of 1982 with Toronto Blizzard in the North American Soccer League to help his recuperation, but he only started three games for Liverpool in the 1982-83 season, which turned out to be his last for the club.
Fairclough's final figures for Liverpool still make impressive reading though. 37 goals from 92 starts is a fine achievement but he never quite got rid of the 'Supersub' nickname and that is borne out by the fact that he scored 18 goals in 62 substitute appearances. But his contribution towards the club's success of the late 70's and early 80's should not be underestimated. Maybe he did have a tendency to drift in and out of some matches but his pace and unpredictability caused havoc to many a defence and his 'golden' moment against St. Etienne is one which will never be forgotten.
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