Northern Ireland v Switzerland 08SEPT

Liverpool are a very big club and, borrowing the words of a popular song, we can sing ‘If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere’! Over the past few decades we have had remarkably few Northern Ireland players running out at Anfield in the famous red jersey (Jim Magilton and Ryan McLaughlin never made the first team) . But one Belfast man did become a Liverpool legend: larger than life netminder Elisha Scott . In May 1912 Elisha guested in goal for Linfield in a special game against Blackburn Rovers to raise money for victims of the Titanic disaster. He was on the brink of signing for the Windsor Park club but instead went ‘across the water’ for a trial at Everton. The famous blue shirts rejected the Belfast youngster, claiming that he was too small and too young. His response was to join their rivals. Everton would live to regret that hasty decision. During World War I, with normal football suspended, Elisha returned to Belfast where he guested for Linfield, Belfast Celtic and the short- lived Belfast United. After the war he returned to Anfield and became a legend. Those who saw him play and those who played against him declared that he was the greatest goalkeeper in England’s top division. Bill Shankly was an admirer. Scott was a major reason why Liverpool won the league championship in 1922 and 1923 and he was the Reds’ first choice right through the 1920s.

Elisha’s rivalry with Everton’s burly centre forward Dixie Deans is fondly remembered by Scouse fans. Those were the days when shoulder-charging the goalkeeper was allowed and keepers had to be rugged and robust to resist the onslaught . Many a bone-crunching collision took place in Scott’s penalty area. In fact a warm friendship existed between the rivals and they often met over a pint or two and swapped stories to the delight of any fans in the hostelry. I love the story of Dixie Deans blasting a penalty kick straight at Scott who held it to his chest . However, such was the state of the ground that the power of the shot caused Scott to be carried backwards on a sea of mud across the goal-line! The billiard table pitches of modern times were unknown then. In 1934 Elisha became player-manager of Belfast Celtic and from 1936 continued as manager only. He guided Celtic during their most successful period. The silverware won included 10 Irish League titles, six Irish Cups, five County Antrim Shields, three City Cups and three charity cups. After the sad departure of Belfast Celtic from the Northern Ireland football scene in 1949 Elisha remained in charge of their business affairs until his death in 1959. Elisha won 31 international caps, all against the three other home nations. He kept a clean sheet six times. There are interesting links with two later Northern Ireland goalkeeping legends. Like Pat Jennings Elisha played his last international at the age of 42 and like Maik Taylor he kept a clean sheet against England in an amazing home win. That 1927 victory was not to be repeated for the next 78 years!

IRISHFA.COM

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