Published: Tuesday, 18th November, 2008 11:30
Liverpool legend Liddell inducted in Scottish Football Hall of Fame
By Gary Fitzpatrick
Comments (3)
Print Article
LIVERPOOL great Billy Liddell has finally been inducted to the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, 70 years after he left his native Townhill to become a Kop legend.
At a glittering ceremony in Glasgow on Sunday, Billy's son, Malcolm, received the award.
It comes just seven months after the Press started a petition for the achievements of Billy to be recognised.
We had first highlighted the lack of any acknowledgement or tribute in West Fife when he became the first former Liverpool player to be honoured with a plaque at Anfield back in 2004, following a campaign by fans.
When we launched our on-line petition, around 900 people from all over the world backed it and at the same time a committee was set up in Townhill to try to turn the aspirations into reality.
Progress has been swift and in the next few weeks, the sports facilities at Townhill Park will be renamed the Billy Liddell Sports Complex.
It is also hoped that a commemorative cairn and community garden celebrating Billy's achievements will be open by early summer.
These will be sited off Main Street just opposite the cottage where Billy grew up.
Local councillor Bill McCulloch, chair of the Billy Liddell Committee, said, "We are all delighted to hear that Billy has been inducted to the Hall of Fame and very shortly his achievements will be recognised here in Townhill as well."
A film crew from Liverpool FC TV was at the awards ceremony interviewing the likes of Tommy Docherty and Ian St John for a 90-minute programme on Billy Liddell to be screened next month.
The crew also visited Townhill this week to film scenes for the show.
Billy, who died in 2001 at the age of 79, is regarded by some as Liverpool's greatest ever player – a remarkable accolade given the club's proud history.
He moved to Anfield from junior side Lochgelly Violet in 1938 but his debut was delayed for eight years because of the outbreak of war.
Billy served as a RAF navigator and during the war years made appearances for several sides around the country, including his boyhood favourites the Pars.
He returned to Anfield and his Liverpool career finally started in a blaze of glory as they won the England First Division (the premier league of that era) in 1946-47.
He played for Scotland 27 times, scoring the winning goal against England at Wembley in 1951 and alongside Sir Stanley Matthews was the only player to represent Great Britain twice.
His extraordinary talent saw fans refer to the club as 'Liddellpool' during the 1950s.
SFA museum curator Richard McBrearty said, "This is a great day for Fife and a great achievement for the people who signed the petition, backed the campaign and got Billy Liddell on to the Hall of Fame shortlist.
"There was a great deal of support and to be honest, once that support had put Billy Liddell's name on the short list, his achievements spoke for themselves.
"For it to happen so long after his playing days says it all about the way he is still regarded in Fife and in Liverpool."
West Fife MSP and keen football fan John Park said, "In the modern game he would be on a par with Steven Gerrard or Kenny Dalglish.
"Despite being a Liverpool legend I was conscious that not enough people knew of Billy in his home town."
"The progress made in the last year to have him properly recognised has been a fantastic local campaign which I have been pleased to support."
Mr Park put down a motion in the Scottish Parliament welcoming the decision, congratulating the campaigners and praising the part played by the Dunfermline Press.
Also inducted this year was Billy's fellow Fifer John Thomson, the legendary Celtic keeper who died from a head injury following an accidental collision in a match against Rangers in 1931, aged just 22.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
'Too sexy' shop finally opens in Dunfermline