Ronnie Whelan
The gifted successor to
Ray Kennedy on the left flank of Liverpool's midfield, Whelan made a massive
contribution to the club's majestic triumphs under Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish in the 1980's, winning six League title medals,
three FA Cup, a European Cup and three Milk Cup medals.
A natural footballer,
Whelan was signed by Paisley from Home Farm in his native Dublin in October
1979, just after his 18th birthday. He gave a hint of things to come by scoring
on his debut against Stoke in April 1981, the first of 73 goals scored for
Liverpool in almost 500 senior appearances.
He had a talent for
scoring spectacular and crucial goals, including a magnificent swerving shot
that beat Manchester United at Wembley in the 1983 Milk Cup Final, the year
after he scored twice at the same venue in the final of the same competition
against Tottenham. As well as fierce shooting power Whelan’s lean build
incorporated tigerish tackling ability.
Later in his Anfield career he captained Liverpool and switched inside
to a central midfield role. Whelan emulated his father, Ronnie senior, by
representing the Republic of Ireland, for whom he won 53 caps. He left Anfield in 1994 to manage Southend,
followed by a spell in charge of Greek club Panionios
and then Olympiakos Nicosia of Cyprus.