Red or Dead (40 page)

Three days later, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Highfield Road, Coventry. But Tommy Lawrence did not travel to Highfield Road, Coventry. And Ian St John did not travel to Highfield Road, Coventry. And that night, Coventry City scored twice. But in the thirty-eighth minute, Emlyn Hughes scored. In the sixty-fifth minute, Alun Evans scored. And in the seventy-second minute, Evans scored again. And that night, Liverpool Football Club beat Coventry City three–two. And that night, Liverpool Football Club were fifth in the First Division. But that night, Liverpool Football Club were still nowhere. Liverpool Football Club still lost.

On Saturday 7 March, 1970, Leeds United Association Football Club came to Anfield, Liverpool. That afternoon, fifty-one thousand, four hundred and thirty-five folk came, too. Fifty-one thousand, four hundred and thirty-five folk to watch fifth play first. But that afternoon, fifth failed to score and first failed to score. And that afternoon, fifth drew nil–nil with first. And that evening, first were still first. And fifth were still fifth.

Four days afterwards, Liverpool Football Club travelled to the Dell, Southampton. But Tommy Lawrence did not travel to the Dell,
Southampton. And Ian St John did not travel to the Dell, Southampton. In the forty-third minute, Alun Evans scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Southampton Football Club one–nil. Away from home, away from Anfield. Three days later, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Highbury, London. Again, Tommy Lawrence did not travel to Highbury, London. And again, Ian St John did not travel to Highbury, London. In the eighty-third minute, Ron Yeats scored. But that afternoon, Arsenal Football Club scored once. And Arsenal Football Club scored again. And Liverpool Football Club lost two–one to Arsenal Football Club. Away from home, away from Anfield. That afternoon, Chelsea Football Club beat Watford Football Club five–one in the semi-final of the FA Cup. And Leeds United drew nil–nil with Manchester United in the other semi-final of the FA Cup.

Two days later, Sheffield Wednesday came to Anfield, Liverpool. That evening, thirty-one thousand, nine hundred and thirty-one folk came, too. Just thirty-one thousand, nine hundred and thirty-one folk. And not Tommy Lawrence. And not Ian St John. In the fiftieth minute, Chris Lawler scored. In the sixty-third minute, Ron Yeats scored. And in the eighty-eighth minute, Bobby Graham scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Sheffield Wednesday three–nil. At home, at Anfield. In front of just thirty-one thousand, nine hundred and thirty-one folk.

On Saturday 21 March, 1970, Everton Football Club came to Anfield, Liverpool. This time, fifty-four thousand, four hundred and ninety-six folk came, too. And Ian St John. That morning, Everton Football Club were first in the First Division. Again. That morning, Liverpool Football Club were fifth in the First Division. Still. And that afternoon, Everton Football Club outclassed Liverpool Football Club.
Easy!
That afternoon, Everton Football Club outplayed Liverpool Football Club.
Easy!
Alan Ball ran the Everton midfield, Alan Ball overran the Liverpool midfield.
Easy!
Joe Royle outmuscled the Liverpool defence, Joe Royle outjumped the Liverpool defence. And Joe Royle scored.
Easy!
And Alan Whittle scored.
Easy!
And Everton Football Club beat Liverpool Football Club two–nil. At their home, at Anfield.
Easy! Easy! Easy!
And that evening, Everton Football Club had fifty-seven points. Everton Football Club were first in the First Division. And that evening, Liverpool Football Club had forty-three
points. And Liverpool Football Club were nowhere –

In the wasteland, in the wilderness …

Three days afterwards, Ipswich Town came to Anfield, Liverpool. That evening, twenty-nine thousand, five hundred and forty-eight folk came, too. Just twenty-nine thousand, five hundred and forty-eight folk. And not Tommy Lawrence. And not Ron Yeats. And not Ian St John. In the thirty-second minute, Ian Callaghan scored. And in the forty-third minute, Tommy Smith scored a penalty. And Liverpool Football Club beat Ipswich Town two–nil. At home, at Anfield. In front of twenty-nine thousand, five hundred and forty-eight folk. Just twenty-nine thousand, five hundred and forty-eight folk.

On Saturday 28 March, 1970, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Upton Park, London. Tommy Lawrence did not travel to Upton Park, London. Ron Yeats did not travel to Upton Park, London. And Ian St John did not travel to Upton Park, London. That afternoon, Ray Clemence, Chris Lawler, Roy Evans, Tommy Smith, Larry Lloyd, Emlyn Hughes, Peter Thompson, Doug Livermore, Alun Evans, Ian Callaghan and Bobby Graham travelled to Upton Park, London. That afternoon, Ian Callaghan played in the centre of midfield. That afternoon, Ian Callaghan struggled in the centre of midfield. That afternoon, Alun Evans led the line. That afternoon, Alun Evans struggled to lead the line. And that afternoon, Liverpool Football Club lost one–nil to West Ham United. Away from home, away from Anfield. That afternoon, Everton Football Club beat Chelsea Football Club five–two. And that evening, Everton Football Club were five points clear of Leeds United at the top of the First Division.

Two days later, Liverpool Football Club travelled to Molineux, Wolverhampton. Again, Tommy Lawrence did not travel to Molineux, Wolverhampton. And again, Ian St John did not travel to Molineux, Wolverhampton. But Ron Yeats did travel to Molineux, Wolverhampton. And so did Ray Clemence, Chris Lawler, Tommy Smith, Larry Lloyd, Emlyn Hughes, Ian Callaghan, Doug Livermore, Alun Evans, Bobby Graham and Peter Thompson. And this time, Ian Callaghan played on the right of midfield. And this time, Ian Callaghan did not struggle. And Alun Evans still led the line. And Alun Evans still struggled to lead the line. But in the forty-third minute, Lawler scored. And Liverpool Football Club beat Wolverhampton Wanderers one–nil.
Away from home, away from Anfield. That afternoon, Leeds United lost four–one to Derby County and Everton Football Club beat Stoke City one–nil. And that evening, Everton Football Club needed just one more win, just two more points, to be the Champions of England –

On Wednesday 1 April, 1970, West Bromwich Albion came to Goodison Park, Liverpool. That evening, fifty-eight thousand, five hundred and twenty-three folk came, too. In the nineteenth minute, Harvey shot. And the shot was blocked. But Whittle controlled the rebound. Whittle shot. And Whittle scored. In the sixty-fifth minute, Harvey pounced on a loose ball in midfield. First Harvey went one way, dragging the defenders this way. Then Harvey went the other way, dragging the defenders that way. The defenders left, the defenders standing. Harvey shot. And Harvey scored. And Everton Football Club were the Champions of England. For the seventh time, the Champions of England. And the supporters of Everton Football Club cheered. And the supporters of Everton Football Club sang,
Ever-ton, Ever-ton, Ever-ton.
And the supporters of Everton Football Club ran onto the pitch. The Goodison pitch. And the supporters of Everton Football Club sang
We Shall Not Be Moved
. And the supporters of Everton Football Club watched Alan Ball and the players of Everton Football Club parade the Football League trophy around the pitch. The Goodison pitch. And the supporters of Everton Football Club sang,
We are the Champions, Champions, Champions! We are the Champions, Champions, Champions! We are the Champions,

Champions, CHAMPIONS!

And after the celebrations, after the champagne. Alan Ball said, The average age of this Everton side is twenty-four. Just twenty-four years old! So I can see five great seasons ahead. At least five great seasons ahead of us. This team is certain to go better. We have lots of skill and every player works hard for each other. So with that behind us, how can we fail? Who can catch us –

Who can stop us?

In the house, in their front room. In his armchair, on the edge of his
armchair. Bill stared at the television. Thirteen million, one hundred and forty-five thousand, one hundred and twenty-three folk had voted for the Conservative Party. Twelve million, two hundred and eight thousand, seven hundred and fifty-eight folk had voted for the Labour Party. The Conservative Party had won three hundred and thirty seats in the House of Commons. The Labour Party had won two hundred and eighty-eight seats in the House of Commons. And the Conservative Party had won the 1970 General Election. Edward Heath, the Member of Parliament for Bexley in Kent, who had been born in Broadstairs and who supported Burnley Football Club, would be the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Harold Wilson, the Member of Parliament for Huyton in Liverpool, who had been born in Huddersfield and who supported Huddersfield Town Football Club, would no longer be the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In his armchair, on the edge of his armchair. Bill tried to stand. Bill tried to get back on his feet. Bill knew you had to stand. You had to get back on your feet. Bill knew if you did not stand. If you did not get back on your feet. Then you were finished. You were dead. And the people who supported you. The people who believed in you. They were finished, too. They were dead, too. And so Bill knew you had to stand. You had to get back on your feet. For the people, for the people. You always had to stand. You always had to get back on your feet. And Bill stood. Bill got back on his feet. And Bill walked over to the television. Bill switched off the television. And Bill walked over to the window. Bill drew back the curtains. In the front window, in the morning light. Bill stared out through the glass, out at the street. The boys in the street, the boys with their ball. Their ball at their feet, their ball in the air. Bill saw the ball in the air, Bill saw the clouds in the sky. The promise of rain, the threat of storms. The drops of rain in the air, the spits of rain on the window, And Bill turned away from the window. Bill walked out of the front room. Bill walked down the hall. Bill went out of the front door. Bill went into the street. And Bill said, Come on, boys. Come on then, lads. Let’s have a quick game. One last game,

before it pours.

…

In the house, in their front room. Bill did not watch the World Cup on the television. And Bill did not go to television studios. Bill
did not sit on panels and talk about the World Cup in television studios. Bill went to work. And Bob Paisley, Reuben Bennett, Joe Fagan and Ronnie Moran went to work, too. Every day. They worked. Every day. They talked. Every day. They analysed. Every day. They discussed. The games Liverpool Football Club had played last season. The players who had played for Liverpool Football Club last season. The first-team players and the reserve-team players. The first team had played forty-two games; they had won twenty, drawn eleven and lost eleven of those forty-two games. They had scored sixty-five goals and they had conceded forty-two goals. They had gained fifty-one points and they had finished fifth in the First Division. The reserve team had played forty-two games, too; they had won twenty-eight, drawn twelve and lost two of those forty-two games. They had scored eighty-nine goals and they had conceded twenty goals. They had gained sixty-eight points and they had finished first in the Central League. Bill, Bob Reuben, Joe and Ronnie analysed every one of those games the first team had played, every one of those games the reserve team had played. Every day. Bill, Bob, Reuben, Joe and Ronnie discussed every player who had played for the first team in those games, every player who had played for the reserve team in those games. Every day. They analysed and they discussed. Who would be stepping down and who would be stepping up. Every day. Analysing and discussing. Every day. Who would be leaving and who would be staying. Every day. Who would be going and who would be coming. Every day. The old players and the new players. Liverpool Football Club had bought Jack Whitham from Sheffield Wednesday for fifty-seven thousand pounds; Liverpool Football Club had bought Steve Heighway from Skelmersdale United. Every day. Who would not be playing and who would be playing. Every day. In the season to come, in the games to come. Every day. Analysing and discussing. Every day. The season to come and the games to come. Every day. Bill, Bob, Reuben, Joe and Ronnie worked. Every day. Until they were prepared,

until they were ready.

…

At the stadium, in the office. At his desk, in his chair. Bill stared down at his book. His book of names, his book of notes. The last page of names, the last page of notes. And Bill read aloud the
names on the page: Clemence, Lawler, Ross, Smith, Lloyd, Hughes, Callaghan, Evans, Graham, McLaughlin and Thompson. Bill put the book to one side. The book of names, the book of notes. Bill stood up. Bill walked over to the shelves. The shelves of books. The shelves of names and the shelves of notes. Bill took a book from the shelf. Another book of names, another book of notes. The names from last season, the notes from last season. Old names and old notes. Bill turned to the first page of the last season. The first page of names from the first game of last season. And Bill read aloud the names on the page: Lawrence, Lawler, Strong, Smith, Yeats, Hughes, Callaghan, Hunt, Graham, St John and Thompson. Bill closed the book. The book from last season. The book of old names, the book of old notes. Bill put it back on the shelf. The shelf of names, the shelf of notes. Old names and old notes. Bill walked back to his desk. Bill sat back down. At his desk, in his chair. Bill stared back down at the book on his desk. Again. The book of names, the book of notes. New names and new notes. The names for the new season, the notes for this season. The last page of names, the last page of notes. And again. Bill read aloud the names on the page: Clemence, Lawler, Ross, Smith, Lloyd, Hughes, Callaghan, Evans, Graham, McLaughlin and Thompson. Bill swallowed. Bill knew five of the names on the first page of the new season were not the same as five of the names on the first page of last season. Five new names for five old names. At his desk, in his chair. Bill swallowed again. Bill knew Liverpool Football Club had finished fifth in the First Division. Last season, in the old season. Bill knew Liverpool Football Club had finished nowhere. Last season, in the old season. Bill closed the book. The book of names, the book of notes. The book of new names, the book of new notes. At his desk, in his chair. Bill closed his eyes. His old eyes. Bill was sick of finishing nowhere. In the last seasons, in the old seasons. Sick of finishing nowhere, sick of winning nothing –

Sick and bloody tired.

…

On the bench, the bench at Turf Moor. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club beat Burnley Football Club two–one. On the bench, the bench at Bloomfield Road. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club draw nil–nil with Blackpool Football Club. On the bench, the Anfield bench.
Bill watched John McLaughlin score his first goal for Liverpool Football Club on his home debut for Liverpool Football Club. John McLaughlin was eighteen years old. And Bill watched Liverpool Football Club beat Huddersfield Town four–nil. On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill watched Ray Clemence jump to catch a header. Clemence misjudge the header. The header drop over Clemence. And into the net. And Bill watched Liverpool Football Club draw one-all with Crystal Palace Football Club. On the bench, the bench at the Hawthorns. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club draw one-all with West Bromwich Albion. On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club draw one-all with Manchester United. On the bench, the bench at Field Mill. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club draw nil–nil with Mansfield Town of the Third Division in the Second Round of the Football League Cup. On the bench, the bench at St James’ Park. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club draw nil–nil with Newcastle United. Another draw,

another bloody draw.

On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club beat Ferencvárosi Torna Club of Budapest, Hungary, one–nil in the first leg of the First Round of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club beat Nottingham Forest three–nil. On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club beat Mansfield Town of the Third Division three–two after extra time in the replay of the Second Round of the Football League Cup. And in the dressing room. The Liverpool dressing room. Bill looked from player to player. From Clemence to Lawler, Lawler to Lindsay, Lindsay to Smith, Smith to Lloyd, Lloyd to Hughes, Hughes to Hall, Hall to Evans, Evans to Graham, Graham to McLaughlin and from McLaughlin to Heighway. And Bill smiled. And Bill said, Well played, boys. Well played indeed. And you have learnt a lesson tonight, boys. A few very important lessons. You’ve learnt to never underestimate any team you play, boys. And you’ve learnt never to surrender any game you play. You have learnt to always keep trying, boys. To always keep struggling. To never give in and to never give up. That’s what I saw out there today, boys. I saw you never give in and never give up. And so I am proud of you, boys. Very, very proud of you. Of the way you learnt those
lessons and of the way you played tonight …

On the bench, the bench at the Dell. Bill watched Alec Lindsay score. An own goal. And Bill watched Liverpool Football Club lose one–nil to Southampton Football Club. It was Liverpool Football Club’s first defeat of the 1970–71 season. On the bench, the bench in the Nep Stadium in Budapest, Hungary. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club beat Ferencvárosi Torna Club of Budapest, Hungary, two–one on aggregate in the First Round of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club beat Chelsea Football Club one–nil. On the bench, the bench at the County Ground. Bill watched Trollope sprint thirty yards down the wing. And Trollope crossed the ball. The ball dropped at the feet of Rogers. Rogers moved across the face of the goal. The Liverpool goal. Rogers took Clemence with him across the goal. And Rogers shot. And Rogers scored. Two minutes later, Bill watched Dangerfield pass to Rogers. And again Rogers moved across the face of the goal. The Liverpool goal. Again Rogers took Clemence with him. And again Rogers shot. And again Rogers scored. And on the bench, the bench at the County Ground. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club of the First Division lose two–nil to Swindon Town of the Second Division in the Third Round of the Football League Cup. And in the dressing room. The away dressing room. Bill looked from player to player. From Ray Clemence to Chris Lawler, from Chris to Alec Lindsay, from Alec to Tommy Smith, from Tommy to Larry Lloyd, from Larry to Emlyn Hughes, from Emlyn to Brian Hall, from Brian to Alun Evans, from Alun to Steve Heighway, from Steve to Doug Livermore and from Doug to Jack Whitham. And Bill saw the sadness. The wounds of sadness. And Bill saw the hurt. The wounds of hurt. Bill saw the wounds. And Bill felt the fear. Their wounds and their fear. And Bill smiled. And Bill said, There will always be times when we get beaten, boys. There will always be times when we lose. But the important thing is what we take away from that beating, what we learn when we lose, boys. Because we’ll always learn more from a defeat than a victory. Remember that, boys. Remember that. And learn it, boys. And I’ll see you all tomorrow. First thing tomorrow, boys –

Bright and early, bright and early.

On the bench, the bench at White Hart Lane. Bill watched
Liverpool Football Club lose one–nil to Tottenham Hotspur. On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club beat Burnley Football Club two–nil. On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club beat Fotbal Club Dinamo Bucureşti of Romania three–nil in the first leg of the Second Round of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. On the bench, the bench at Portman Road. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club lose one–nil to Ipswich Town. On the bench, the Anfield bench. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club beat Wolverhampton Wanderers two–nil. On the bench, the bench in the Twenty-third of August Stadium in Bucharest, Romania. Bill watched Liverpool Football Club beat Fotbal Club Dinamo Bucureşti of Romania four–one on aggregate in the Second Round of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. On the bench, the bench at the Baseball Ground, Bill watched Liverpool Football Club draw nil–nil with Derby County. Again. Another draw. Again. Draw

after draw after

fucking

draw.

…

At the stadium, in the office. The glue on the desk, the scissors in his hands. Bill stared down at the League table. Down and down the League table. That evening, Liverpool Football Club had played fifteen League games in the 1970–71 season. Liverpool Football Club had won six, drawn six and lost three of those fifteen games. They had scored seventeen goals and they had conceded seven goals. That evening, Liverpool Football Club had eighteen points. And that evening, Liverpool Football Club were eighth in the First Division. Not first, not second, not third,

not even fifth –

Eighth.

At the stadium, in the office. At the desk, in the chair. Bill knew it was not acceptable. Bill knew it was not good enough. Not for Liverpool Football Club. Not for the supporters of Liverpool Football Club. But Bill knew what the problem was. And Bill knew what had to be done. At the desk, in the chair. Bill picked up the telephone. And Bill phoned Huddersfield Town. Bill told Huddersfield Town he wanted to buy Frank Worthington. Huddersfield Town agreed to sell
Frank Worthington to Liverpool Football Club. Frank Worthington came to Anfield. Frank Worthington had a medical at Anfield. Frank Worthington failed the medical at Anfield. Frank Worthington went back to Huddersfield Town. At the stadium, in the office. At the desk, in the chair. Bill picked up the telephone again. Bill phoned Cardiff City. Bill told Cardiff City he wanted to buy John Toshack. Cardiff City agreed to sell John Toshack to Liverpool Football Club. John Toshack came to Anfield. John Toshack had a medical at Anfield. John Toshack passed the medical at Anfield. Liverpool Football Club paid Cardiff City one hundred and ten thousand pounds for John Toshack. It was a club record. And at his desk,