Eric Anderson

Eric Anderson was a skilful inside-forward whose Liverpool career coincided with the club’s decline in the First Division and its early attempts to regain top-flight status. Signed in December 1951 at the age of 20, he had to wait until 28 March 1953 for his senior debut, against Charlton Athletic at Anfield. That remained his only first-team appearance of the season, but he earned more opportunities during the difficult campaign that followed. Anderson scored five goals in 13 league appearances in 1953/54, although his contribution could not prevent Liverpool’s relegation. His first goal came at Turf Moor on 6 February 1954, when he struck in the 81st minute to secure a 1–1 draw against Burnley. He also scored against Charlton Athletic, Sheffield Wednesday, Chelsea and Sunderland during the closing months of the season. His goals against Wednesday and Chelsea earned further draws, while his contribution against Sunderland helped Liverpool to a 4–3 victory at Anfield.

The move into the Second Division brought Anderson his most sustained spell in the side. He played in 32 league fixtures in 1954/55, scoring ten times, and appeared in all three of Liverpool’s FA Cup matches that season. He followed that with six goals in 20 league appearances in 1955/56. These were the most productive years of his Liverpool career, accounting for 16 of his eventual 22 goals. Away from football, Anderson belonged to a large Manchester family, with six brothers and two sisters. A Liverpool Echo feature in January 1956 revealed an unusual arrangement for supporting him at Anfield: his brothers travelled from Manchester in a coal lorry belonging to the family business. His brother Cornelius ran the business, which also provided employment for the other brothers. Football was a shared enthusiasm, and his youngest brother, Arthur, had twice been given trials by Liverpool. Eric still lived with his parents in Collyhurst and enjoyed swimming, table tennis and snooker. His interest in boxing developed during National Service with a tank regiment, when he tried the sport himself. He also spent some Sunday mornings watching local football with his Liverpool team-mate Roy Saunders. Although he told the Echo that he envisaged running a small business after retirement, he would later remain involved in football.

The emergence of Jimmy Melia gradually reduced Anderson’s opportunities. He made seven league appearances in 1956/57, scoring his final Liverpool goal against Blackburn Rovers on 6 October 1956. His last appearance followed a week later at Bristol City. When Anderson left for Barnsley in July 1957, he had scored 22 goals in 76 competitive appearances, with all his goals coming in the League. His stay at Barnsley produced nine league appearances and one goal. He subsequently played for Macclesfield Town and Hyde United before making a solitary appearance for Mossley in 1961/62. Anderson later became manager of Ashton United’s reserve team.