Part 14 - The First of Eighteen

[TLW]

THE FIRST OF EIGHTEEN (1900/01)

Written by Steve Horton

Season - 1900/01 Opposition - West Bromwich Albion Scorers - John Walker Result - 1-0 Venue - The Hawthorns

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This win at The Hawthorns clinched Liverpool's first ever league championship, less than ten years after the club was formed.

Manager Tom Watson knew what it took to be successful, having earlier led Sunderland to three titles. And it was a 1-0 win at his former club in February that began an unbeaten 12 game sequence that would take us to the brink of glory. That run meant we needed just a point in this final fixture against already relegated West Brom to guarantee the championship.

In a closely contested game, John Walker (pictured below) scored the only goal after Albion's keeper could only parry a Sam Raybould shot. After the match captain Alex Raisbeck was carried shoulder high by the victorious players.

The team travelled back to Liverpool by train and arrived shortly before midnight, where they were met by several thousand jubilant fans at Central Station. A brass band was also there to welcome them home and played The Conquering Hero.

In the early hours the players and officials finally made it back to Anfield where the championship trophy was proudly put on display in the boardroom. It was a special moment for Chairman John Houlding, vindicating his decision of nine years earlier to kick out the non rent paying Everton and form LFC.


If you wish to submit your own 'Magic Moment' email it to: magicmoments@liverpoolway.co.uk