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LAURIE HUGHES 1945-58 by Chris Wood Date of Birth - 02/03/24 Nationality - English Position - Defender Games - 326 Goals - 1 Club Hons (Lpool) - League Championship 1946/47 International Hons - England Caps Other Clubs - Tranmere (amateur) Laurie was a regular member of Liverpool's defence in the decade immediately following the end of the Second World War. He gained immediate success as the club won the first post-war championship in dramatic style by winning at rivals Wolves and then having a long wait before other results confirmed that Liverpool could not be overtaken. That appearance at Molineux was his 30th of the season and that was roughly the average number of League appearances that he made each season during his time with the club. But further success never came, although he did have the honour of playing in the 1950 F.A. Cup final against Arsenal. His selection was rather controversial as he had missed the semi-final victory over Everton, when his replacement Bob Paisley had scored the opening goal. But it was Paisley who was left out when the Wembley team was announced. Laurie represented England 3 times in the World Cup that summer but those were his only 'full' caps. His only goal in over 300 appearances for the club salvaged a draw two minutes from the end of the home fixture with Stoke on December 8th 1951. But the club's fortunes were dwindling rapidly and after narrowly avoiding relegation in 1952-53, Liverpool did go down in bottom place a year later. He continued to play regularly and his last full season was a good one as he only missed one League match in 1956-57. Approaching his mid-30's by then, his last appearance as a Liverpool player came at Charlton on 28th September 1957. ++ / LFChistory.net -- Past Present Future