Liverpool FC # 12 Ronnie Whelan

Name: Ronnie Whelan

Years at Liverpool: 1979 to 1994
Position: Midfield

Date-of-birth: 25/9/1961
Birthplace: Dublin

Signed from: Home Farm

Games: 494
Goals: 73

Honours: First Division Championship (1981/82, 1982/83, 1983/84, 1985/86, 1987/88, 1989/90), European Cup (1984), FA Cup (1986, 1989), League Cup (1982, 1983, 1984), Charity Shield (1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990), ScreenSport Super Cup (1986)

Given the fact he netted some of the most important and spectacular goals for Liverpool during a decade that saw an unprecedented amount of silverware brought back to the Anfield trophy cabinet, it remains a mystery why Ronnie Whelan was never fully appreciated by the Reds faithful. He shot to prominence as 'the Milk Cup kid' in the early eighties thanks to his match-winning performances in successive final victories over Tottenham and Manchester United and went on to be a pivotal figure in the Liverpool team that took football domination in this country to previously unscaled heights. A cultured left-sided midfield player, Whelan had spent three summers training with Manchester United as a youngster but when he finally moved across the Irish Sea on a permanent basis it was to take up residence on Merseyside. He arrived as a fresh-faced rookie in 1979 after catching the eye of Liverpool's scouts while playing for his local side Home Farm. Manager of the time Bob Paisley viewed him as 'one for the future' and immediately despatched him into the club's all-conquering reserve set-up, where Roy Evans was entrusted to help nurture the young Dubliner's precocious midfield talents. Even at this level, competition for places was intense and, at first, he vied for the left-midfield berth with fellow youngster Kevin Sheedy. Before long, however, Whelan was knocking on the door of the first team and when an injury to Ray Kennedy provided him with a rare opportunity for a senior outing he didn't disappoint, netting early on in his debut as Stoke were beaten in a Friday night fixture in front of the Kop. With Kennedy soon moving on Whelan seized his chance and finally established himself as a regular in the first eleven during the 1981/82 season. It was to be a campaign of great change at Anfield as Paisley blooded several youngsters but it was to end on a glorious high for Whelan and the team. It has long since passed into Kop folklore how, on his first appearance beneath the twin towers, he almost single-handedly turned the League Cup Final against Tottenham in Liverpool's favour, netting twice as the Reds came from behind to record a famous 3-1 triumph. And if this was not enough, he followed that up by getting his name on the scoresheet against the same opposition as the title was clinched and before deservedly walked away with the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Incredibly, Whelan repeated his Wembley heroics the following year when his sublimely curled effort past Gary Bailey secured another League (Milk) Cup success. But still, he failed to receive the acclaim that was afforded to some of his more famous team-mates. Not that it bothered him. In typical Liverpool fashion Whelan got on with his job. Late equalising goals in FA Cup semi-finals against Man United and Portsmouth further confirmed his reputation as a man for the big occasion. Tigerish in the tackle and possessing an impressive range of passing he remained a consistent performer as trophy after trophy was adorned with red and white ribbons. His qualities were highly valued by the Liverpool management and in 1989 he was the number one choice to take over the captaincy from Alan Hansen. In his latter years at the club Whelan switched to a more central midfield role but injuries began to take their toll and his effectiveness was reduced. In 1994 he finally called time on a glorious 15 years at Anfield to embark on a brief career in management but is always given a warm welcome when returning to his spiritual home. The passing of time, it seems, finally enabling most fans to fully appreciate just what a great player he was.

Sold to: Southend United (September 1994)

Claim to fame: Scoring two on his Wembley debut

Did you know? As a boy he supported Manchester United

Where is he now? Working as a media pundit

Kenny Dalglish on Ronnie Whelan: "He came over at 18 years of age he was a young boy and he scored on his debut against Stoke City and just carried on from there. He was a good goalscorer, good runner from midfield and a good hard player who was maybe under-rated for his determination."

ja ik moest ook lachen om het woord maar voor het seizoen begon was Spurs toch een kandidaat voor de bovenste plekken. Nu ook niet meer

quote:

Op zondag 24 september 2006 11:21 schreef Doc het volgende:
Ik zie al waar je de openingspost vandaan hebt

Mooie overwinning. Wedstrijd zelf helaas gemist.

Ja onder het mom van Beter gejat dan slecht verzonnen

Maar ik ben blij dat je het eens bent met de keuze van Whelan op nummer 12 !!

quote:

Op zondag 24 september 2006 11:21 schreef Doc het volgende:
Ik zie al waar je de openingspost vandaan hebt

Mooie overwinning. Wedstrijd zelf helaas gemist.

Ja onder het mom van Beter gejat dan slecht verzonnen

Maar ik ben blij dat je het eens bent met de keuze van Whelan op nummer 12 !!

Goed 3e overwinning op rij en de spelers weten het net te vinden. Ik ben ondanks dat de 3-0 bijna werd weggegeven tevreden. Nu op naar Bolton

Crouch is een van de tofste en aardigste spelers van LFC. Als je hem in de stad tegenkomt neemt hij ook alle tijd voor je. Hij heeft wel een grappig accent waardoor je ( ik) wel scherp moet letten op wat hij nou precies zegt