Tommy Lawrence (The Flying Pig)

[Sputnik1]

Passed away today. 

 

Tommy Lawrence was a stocky built Scotsman who was Bill Shankly's first choice goalkeeper.

Lawrence had been at Anfield for five years when he got his opportunity in Liverpool's first season in the top flight after Jim Furnell got injured 13 games into the season.

Tommy grabbed his chance with both hands and typically didn't let go of the shirt for the next eight years. In fact, Ray Clemence had to wait over two years to get the No.1 shirt off him.

Having been a junior at Anfield, Tommy signed professional forms on October 30, 1957, a few months after his 17th birthday.

Strong, brave and consistent, Lawrence was a reliable and fearless goalkeeper, even if he was affectionately dubbed "The Flying Pig" by supporters who felt he was carrying a bit too much weight!

He only missed four league matches in six seasons as the Reds won the First Division Championship twice plus the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

Bill Shankly was reluctant to break up the team that had brought so much success to the club in the middle of the 1960’s but an FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Second Division Watford proved to be Tommy’s penultimate appearance in the Liverpool first team.

Ray Clemence, who had made his league debut at Nottingham Forest at the end of January 1970, was picked for the next league match after that cup exit.

Lawrence made the short trip across the river Mersey at the age of 31 to join Tranmere Rovers, shortly to be joined by his old Liverpool skipper Ron Yeats.

Tommy added another 80 Football League appearances to the 306 he had made for Liverpool before moving on to non-league Chorley.

He made one Under-21 appearance for Scotland plus three for their full international team.

 

 

 

John Aldridge
@Realaldo474

Sad news for all Lfc and football fans! Tommy Lawrence has passed away,What a great servant to Lfc as well has a true Gentleman. Respect and Condolences to all his family.YNWA

[Peter Cormack]

The first sweeper keeper, a great last line of defence, some of his charges out of his area to body check attackers would have earned him season long bans today. YNWA Tommy RIP

[Numero Veinticinco]

God bless ya, Tommy.

[stringvest]

It is a sad day.  I just about remember when he left - 8 years as first choice goalie over that period as we were establishing ourselves as one of the best teams in Europe.  Not to be sniffed at.  I remember everyone panicking when they first saw Clemence as they thought he looked like Bambi on ice, and a gentle breeze would blow him into the net, never mind a 14 stone forward.  

 

Tommy was one of Shankly's most favoured sons, and for that alone he should be remembered.  Rest in peace Tommy, and thank you.

[dockers_strike]

RIP Tommy lad. Did not get the recognition he deserved outside of the club. YNWA.

[aRdja]

Saw this on twitter.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-31188264/watch-tommy-lawrence-s-chance-encounter-with-bbc-reporter

 

Brilliant.

[Nelly-Szoboszlai]

That clip from the local news with the reporter in town asking people if they remember a 1960's Liverpool v Everton cup tie and it turns out he's talking to Tommy Lawrence is pure TV gold.

[aRdja]

That clip from the local news with the reporter in town asking people if they remember a 1960's Liverpool v Everton cup tie and it turns out he's talking to Tommy Lawrence is pure TV gold.

See above.

[Stickman]

RIP to a great red.

 

Originally held the record for least number of goals conceded in the top division of 24 in the 68-69 season until Clem equalled it and finally broke it.

A great little known fact Tommy went from April 66 to April 67 he actually didn't let a single goal in at the Kop end

[aws]

Very underrated keeper. Might have been carrying a bit too much timber but still agile and he was dominant in the air. As PC says above, he would come flying out of his area and flatten attackers when necessary. Sad news.

[JoeyJones65]

God Bless Tommy lad

[easytoslip]

That clip from the local news with the reporter in town asking people if they remember a 1960's Liverpool v Everton cup tie and it turns out he's talking to Tommy Lawrence is pure TV gold.

Im sure thats the one me dad took me to watch on big screen at Anfield, RIP Tommy Lawrence and thanks for the my childhood memories at Anfield.

[SOFTLAD]

A proper Liverpool legend

[magicrat]

I saw him at Tranmere a few times . He wasn't so much the flying pig by then , more of a Sherman tank but I can still recall him flattening a few centre forwards that were foolish enough to get near him with the ball. All back in the days when football was a contact sport.

 

Sad news. RIP Tommy 

[Harry Squatter]

Met him in 2016 at Chris Lawler's tribute night at the town hall. Lovely fella and happy to chat with as many people as possible. Another one of Shankly's boys slips away. RIP.

[Baltar]

Sad news. One of the legends before your time that you grew up reading or hearing about. RIP.

[Caramac]

RIP Tommy

[Creator Supreme]

RIP Tommy, my old fella still speaks fondly about watching you in the 60's.

[VERBAL DIARRHEA]

RIP Tommy. Sad day.

[rubble-rouser]

RIP Tommy, my old fella still speaks fondly about watching you in the 60's.

 

Mine too - too young to have seen him myself but he's indelibly associated with a very special period in our history. 

[chrisbrand]

Like most footballers of those times, he had to go and get a normal job once his career was over. Strange when you consider even mediocre players basically win the lottery now.

Loved the telly interview with him.

[Anubis]

Sad news.

[razor]

The first sweeper keeper, a great last line of defence, some of his charges out of his area to body check attackers would have earned him season long bans today. YNWA Tommy RIP

 

This is true.  My dad always says he was better than people often give him credit for (esp the "flying pig" tag), and coming hurtling out for a one-on-one everyone backed him to get there.

[Tj hooker]

Another one of Shanks lads gone to soon RIP Tommy lad

[Jurgens Red Army]

RIP Tommy YNWA