| STEVE FINNAN PROFILE
by Nick Weeks Date of Birth - 20/4/76
Nationality - Irish
Position - Right Back
Squad Number - 3
Cost - £3.5m
Club Hons (Lpool) - Champions League 2005
Intnl Hons - Ireland Caps
Other Clubs - Welling, Birmingham, Notts County, Fulham |
Limerick born Finnan, 30, has evolved into one of the most assured full-backs in the Premiership. His machine-like consistently is gradually earning him accolades from fans and players alike, with ex-red Ronnie Whelan describing Finnan as “the type of player every successful side needs."
After spells at Birmingham City and then Notts County, Kevin Keegan (the Fulham manager at the time) saw potential in Finnan during the 97/98 season and promptly bought him for £600,000 the following summer. His steady progress in the Fulham side earned him his full Republic of Ireland debut in April 2000 against Greece, with Republic boss Mick McCarthy hugely impressed with him: "What I like about him is his ability, energy and willingness to tackle back”.
The highlight of Finnan’s international career is undoubtedly the 2002 World Cup in Japan, where he played in the 3 group games (including the memorable 1-1 draw with Germany), and the second round match against Spain.
In the summer of 2003, then Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier decided to strengthen the right-back positon in the squad and after lengthy negotiations bought Finnan for £3,500,000. Liverpool fans at the time were unsure about the player’s ability, and this wasn’t helped by Finnan getting a series of niggling injuries during his first season at Anfield.
When Rafa Benitez joined the club in the summer of 2004, Finnan’s position in the team was in some doubt. Benitez had even signed a new defender from Malaga, Josemi, with a view to making him the first choice right-back. This was not to be however, as a combination of Finnan’s excellent performances (and Josemi’s very average performances) convinced the manager to give the Irishman the role on a more permanent basis.
Finnan took the opportunity with both hands; he grew more comfortable with his defensive duties, which in turn allowed him to get forward more and revert to his natural game of attacking full-back. He played in the Champions League winning team of 2004/2005, and was a member of the Liverpool defence which broke the premiership record for clean sheets in the 2005/2006 season (culminating in the 2006 FA Cup final win at Cardiff).
In December 2006, it was announced on the BBC1 program 'Final Score' that Steve Finnan is the only player to have played in every English football league (from the Premiership to the Conference), the Uefa Cup, the Champions League and the World Cup.
