Alan Irvine

Irvine's longest spell at one club was at Falkirk in the Scottish top division from 1982-1987 where he made 110 league appearances and scored 15 goals. This tall centre-forward hardly got a look-in at Liverpool as too many good strikers were above him in the pecking order. The odds were always stacked against him and he was never picked to start a Liverpool game. All four of Irvine's appearances came as a substitute during the 1986/87 season. He was the victim of one of the most cruel practical jokes ever committed at Liverpool. When Liverpool's FA Cup game against Luton was called off Irvine wasn't told the news. He climbed on the team bus in his best suit ready for matchday, not noticing others were in tracksuits. 'He thinks that the game is on,' Hansen said to Dalglish. Kenny called for Irvine to come to his seat. 'We've got some injuries. How would you like playing centre-back?' 'I'm not sure, gaffer,' Irvine replied. 'Would you more comfortable in midfield?,' Kenny asked, to which Irvine said 'Yes.' 'Just don't tell anybody you're playing,' were his final instructions. Poor Irvine hadn't still made his debut. The players were let in on the joke and took their seat in the dressing room at Anfield as if the game was on. They were told by Kenny to sort their match tickets out, knowing that would leave Alan alone in the dressing room with him as he was the only one without a ticket. Alan was left waiting in the dressing room for some considerable time until Kenny finally said: 'The game's off,' to which poor Alan could only mutter: 'I know.'