Featured: Red of the Day - Chris Lawler

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by Chris Wood

 

Local lad Chris came through the junior ranks at Anfield and signed professional forms on his 17th birthday in October 1960 but had to patiently wait until March 1963 before Bill Shankly gave him his debut in a home fixture with West Bromwich Albion.

 

Chris made 6 League appearances in 1962-63 and just another 6 the following year but by the end of the 1964-65 season he had taken over Ronnie Moran's full-back slot.

 

Chris played in 32 consecutive First Division games that season and scored the first two of what would be a remarkable total for a full-back of 61 goals for the club in competitive matches. He was also a proud member of the Liverpool team that won the F.A. cup for the first time in the club's history.

 

He then missed just THREE of the next 336 League games, a quite remarkable 'attendance record', helping his side win the championship in 1966, reach the Cup winners' cup final the same year and another F.A. cup final in 1971.

 

Nicknamed "The Silent Knight" because of the quiet, uncomplicated way he just got on with his job on the field, he was an extremely reliable member of Liverpool's team for many years.

 

Even approaching his 30th birthday, he still retained the fitness and stamina to play in every single one of the 66 competitive games the club played in four different competitions during the 1972-73 season, his reward being further winners' medals in the championship and UEFA cup.

 

Despite being injured at QPR in November 1973 and only making one more League appearance that season, Bill Shankly still picked him as 'twelfth man' for the 1974 F.A. cup final.

 

Bob Paisley only selected Chris 10 times when he took over the manager's chair - and only then because Phil Thompson was injured in a home game with Stoke City. But as soon as Thompson was fit again, he went straight back into the team and Lawler never played for the first-team again, apart from one last match in the UEFA cup thefollowing season.

 

Chris, who was capped 4 times for England in full internationals and scored on his England debut against Malta at Wembley, moved to Portsmouth a month later who were managed at the time by his former team-mate, Ian St. John. He stayed on the South coast for nearly two years before returning to the North-West and ending his playing days with Stockport County.

 

 

Date of Birth: 20/10/43 Nationality: English  Postition: Right back  Games: 549 Goals: 61 ClubHons: Lge Championship 1965/66, 72/73 Int Hons: 4England caps Other Clubs: Portsmouth,Miami Toros (loan), Stockport County, Bangor City Chris LAWLER 1962-75

 

 

 

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[dave u]

61 goals.  From right back.  Incredible, as I don't think he took any penalties did he?

 

Glen Johnson is regarded as one of the best attacking right backs in Europe, yet he's scored about six goals since he's been here.

[Harry Squatter]

No free kicks either, scored against Ajax, Red Star Belgrade, Juventus and had a perfectly good goal against Inter Milan disallowed.

 

Most memorable goal was the injury time winner against Everton after they were 2-0 up.

 

Only him, Martin Peters and Terry Venables have represented England at every level.

[Stickman]

61 goals.  From right back.  Incredible, as I don't think he took any penalties did he?

 

Glen Johnson is regarded as one of the best attacking right backs in Europe, yet he's scored about six goals since he's been here.

 

 

Yep thats right no penalties....I know its a cliche but what would he be worth today? a full-back that scores that many goals and was also a top top defender too..

As usual with a lot of ex- reds players never gets the credit he/they deserve on a national level.

[MokTheAfflicted]

I met him a few times.  A thorough gentleman.

[dave u]

61 goals and none of them pens or free-kicks.  It's absolutely incredible really.  I mean, Rob Jones might be the best right back I've seen for us, and he managed zero goals.  

 

If you take Phil Neal out of it, or at least take his pens out of it, I wonder if you add up the goals from all of the right backs we've ever had, would it match up to Lawler?  I'm guessing it wouldn't.

[Harry Squatter]

He was always criticised for a lack of pace yet must have had some to get into goalscoring positions. He got MOTM in the second leg of the UEFA Cup Final, Jupp Heynkes came up to him after the game, shook his hand and said "why are you not in the England team?".

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Look at the positions he ended up in for some of these goals, it's like he'd just decide 'Ok, I'm gonna go and stand up in the centre forward spot for a bit and see what happens'.