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Birthdate:
09.01.1962
Birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland
Other clubs: West Ham, Fulham, Oxford United, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Stevenage
Bought from: Oxford
Signed for LFC: £825000 19.10.1987
International debut: 26.03.1986 vs. Wales
International caps: Ireland 73/6 (34/3 at LFC) - 15.11.1997
Liverpool debut:
24.10.1987
Last appearance: 09.05.1992
Debut goal: 04.11.1987
Last goal: 26.02.1992
Contract expiry: 28.07.1992
LFC league games/goals: 153 / 28
Total LFC games/goals: 202 / 38
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Player Notes:
Hurtful rejections shaped Houghton's early club and international career. West Ham let him go after only one game and u-18 Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh said he wasn't good enough for Scotland. Houghton went on to star for Ireland, as his father was born in Donegal. Houghton was born in Glasgow, but moved to London when he was ten. 2nd Division Fulham snapped him up after West Ham rejected him in 1982 and he made 145 appearances and scored 21 goals in a four year spell. Houghton won the League Cup in his first season at 1st Division newcomers Oxford United, scoring one goal in the 3-0 win vs QPR. Oxford placed 18 out of 22 1st Division teams in the two full seasons Houghton spent at the club.
Houghton was the last player in the Dalglish jigsaw, the side that walked away with the title in 1987-88. Oxford were relegated in bottom place. Houghton was an industrious player whose energetic runs inspired others and a great team player. He suited Liverpool's style perfectly and was a vital cog in their machine. Souness sold him to Villa in 1992, while he had still a couple of good years in him, another rash Souness decision. |
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