Newcastle-born Geoff was an experienced professional when he arrived at Anfield in November 1964, having scored 69 times in 125 League matches for Arsenal.
Although he had made his name as an inside-forward, Liverpool were to use him to great effect in many different positions and his versatility to adapt in this way was a key part of Liverpool's continued domination of domestic football in the mid 1960's. He had already played at Anfield (and scored) for Arsenal on the opening day of the 1964-65 season but it was at Fulham that he made his Liverpool debut, just a few days after signing.
He was in and out of the side during that first half-season but still managed 3 goals from his 13 appearances. But he did pick up an F.A. cup winners' medal when the unlucky Gordon Milne had to miss the final through injury - just as his father had done many years before.
Geoff wasn't much more of a regular the following season either, starting exactly half of the 42 League matches. But he did produce a moment to remember in the semi-final of the Cup winners' cup against Celtic at Anfield when, despite being badly affected by a leg injury, he climbed to meet Ian Callaghan's right-wing centre and head the ball past Ronnie Simpson for the goal which took Liverpool through to the final; "the cripple has scored" being perhaps Kenneth Wolstenholme's second most-famous utterance as a commentator!
Geoff only missed 6 League matches in 1966-67 but played in less than half the League fixtures a year later. In 1968-69 he proved a capable left-back after replacing Peter Wall in that position. But he was one of the casualties of the dreadful F.A. cup quarter-final defeat at Watford in February 1970 and only represented the club on five more occasions, the last being a home defeat to champions-elect Everton exactly a month after the cup defeat.
Geoff moved on to Coventry City that summer. Even though he was more of a squad player than a regular in the side, Geoff was a very popular player and when he led his new team out at Anfield in November 1970 he received a wonderful ovation from the Liverpool crowd as a tribute to the service he had given the club for nearly six years.
Geoff remained a regular visitor to Anfield despite suffering from Alzheimer's disease. He lived in nearby Southport until he passed away at the age of 75 in June 2013.
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