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Campaign to honour football great Billy
 By
Ian Harrison
He was arguably Liverpool’s greatest-ever player, a footballer so rich in talent fans re-christened the club in his honour.
Now almost seven years after Billy Liddell’s death, a campaign has been launched to honour him in the village where he was born.
The idea to erect a memorial in Townhill, Fife, was first raised three months ago by local pensioner James Ferguson.
He was angry at the lack of official recognition for the 28-times capped winger, who was so revered in the 1940s and ’50s his team became known as
“Liddellpool”.
Labour MSP John Park, local councillor John McCulloch and Billy’s biographer, John Keith, have since taken up the initiative.
Legends
A host of Liverpool legends, including hard-tackling ex-defender Tommy Smith, World Cup winner Sir Roger Hunt and England goalkeeper David James, have also thrown their weight behind the campaign.
Last night Tommy said it was time Billy’s achievements were more widely recognised.
“Billy was my hero,” admitted the 63-year-old, who was nicknamed the Anfield Iron for his uncompromising style. “He was idolised by Liverpool fans.
“I remember playing alongside him in a reserve game against Sheffield United in the early 1960s and 25,000 people turned up.
Top-noth
“They were there to see Billy. He was a footballer who just loved playing. He was top-notch, one of the best. I think it’s fantastic there are plans to build a memorial to him in his home town.”
The son of a miner, Billy joined Liverpool FC in 1939 after being spotted playing for junior club Lochgelly Violet by then half-back Matt Busby.
He made his debut in January 1946 and went on to help the club win a league championship and reach an FA Cup final, scoring 229 goals in 537 games.
He also scored eight goals for Scotland, including a double on his debut at Hampden in 1946.
After his retirement in 1961, Billy was appointed a Justice Of The Peace and also became bursar at Liverpool University.
He died, aged 79, in 2001 and three years later his former club honoured him with a commemorative plaque at the famous Kop end of Anfield Stadium.
He is the only player to have received such an accolade.
John Keith, author of Billy Liddell: The Legend Who Carried The
Kop, said alongside Kenny Dalglish, Billy is the greatest player ever to have worn the famous red shirt.
Powerful
“He had a real aura about him,” said John. “It’s staggering to think he was actually an accountant to trade and only played football part-time.
“On the field he was a powerful, physical specimen who was fantastic to watch, but off it you had to crane your neck to hear him speak.
“But he was a true great and I think it’s wonderful there are plans to build some sort of memorial to him in Fife. It’s long overdue.”
John Park, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, has put down a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling for Billy’s achievements to be recognised.
He also wants him inducted into the Scottish Football Association’s Hall of Fame.
A website in support of the campaign — www.billyliddell.org.uk
— has also been set up by Liverpool season ticket holders Janet Hodge and Cate
Myerscough.
A meeting has been arranged to discuss the issue in Townhill on Tuesday evening and it’s also due to be debated by Fife Council on May 15.
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