A Star that burned so bright.
"He's Bald, He's old, He's worth his weight in gold" Went the song.
And how true it nearly was.
Gary Mcallisters contribution to Liverpool will not be measured in gold, but in silver, or sliverware if you will. For in a very (oh so very) short period of time he lit up Anfield and brought glory and riches to the starving kop.
Born in Motherwell on Christmas day (happy belated birthday sir) 1964, Gary had already played 610 games for Motherwell, Leicester, Leeds and Coventry scoring 104 goals, not a bad return for a midfielder.
Gary had won two league titles when he arrived at anfield in 2000. One for Motherwell, and probably more notably as part of a midfield containing himself, Gordon Strachan and Gary Speed with Eric Cantona up front with Leeds in 91/92.
He also represented his country 57 times (scoring 5 goals).
I'm sure if you asked him today, he would freely admit that he felt in 1999 in his mid thirties that the best part of his career was over and that the annual relegation battle with Coventry would probably see the end of his career. But Gerrard Houllier had other ideas and in the summer of 2000 brought Gary to the reds on a free transfer.
And what a wonderful and inspired signing it turned out to be.
In a fairly dismal start to his Anfield career, Gary was sent off on his full debut (wrongly imo by Graham Poll) against Arsenal in a disapointing defeat, and with the suspension that followed i guess most Liverpool fans expected that he would play just a bit part through the season.
However as the season wore on, it proved to be an inspirational signing, and Mcallister became probably our key player in the run in to three finals.
Scoring important goals in the league as we fought for fourth, non more memorable than the amazing last gasp winning free kick in the Merseyside derby. His great footballing brain was there to see in that moment as a feigned to take the free kick and bluffed the opposition keeper into edging a little to his left, the result as soon as i saw those feet shuffle was never in doubt.
As we won the FA cup and League cup Gary had already earned a special place in my heart, but it was in Europe that he earned a place in our history. (more on that in a moment)
What marks this man out as a special guy as well as a great player is his decent and respectful manner regardless of who or which club he is talking about. This was highlighted (and made me love him even more) when he scored the goal that practically relegated his old club and turned away from his celebrating team mates (the goal was important to us too) and almost mournfully walked away. What a man.
I was lucky enough to be at this game and will be forever proud that i got to see Gary play for us.
Ok so lets talk about Alaves. What a night what a game, having seen of Roma and Barcelona (with Mcallister of course inspirational) en route to the final, we met Alaves and in a barmy game that swept one way and then the other no player was able to stamp his authority on the game and a few players could stand up and say they were inspirational in the win, but non more so than our man Mcallister.
A true inspiration against Roma, and the key to beating barcelona he stepped up again against Alaves and in the key moments won his place in our history and our hearts.
In the following season Gary helped us to a huge points finish, but played less and was inspirational less.
In his own words at the end of the FA cup final "I am not the future of this great club, but i am happy to ba a part of the present"
I will never forget those great moments he gave us and will be always thankfull that Houllier signed him.
Many other players came of age over that time least of all Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. And many of those young pro's could have seen the fame and fortune get the better of them, but the fact that they had such a pro as a role model moulded them into the players they are today.
Gary now does a lot of commentary work for sky after sadly retiring from the game to care for his recently deceased wife YNWA, and speaks fondly and enthusiastically about us whenever given the opportunity. Hopefully one day he will feel ready to re-enter the game and can come back to the club that obviously has a special place in his heart.
Inspirational in every sense of the word, and winner of 5 (Liberty taken with 2 obviously) trophies in just 2 short seasons, take a bow Gary Mcallister.....
I wish we had signed you in 1990.
"He's Bald, He's old, He's worth his weight in gold" Went the song.
And how true it nearly was.
Gary Mcallisters contribution to Liverpool will not be measured in gold, but in silver, or sliverware if you will. For in a very (oh so very) short period of time he lit up Anfield and brought glory and riches to the starving kop.
Born in Motherwell on Christmas day (happy belated birthday sir) 1964, Gary had already played 610 games for Motherwell, Leicester, Leeds and Coventry scoring 104 goals, not a bad return for a midfielder.
Gary had won two league titles when he arrived at anfield in 2000. One for Motherwell, and probably more notably as part of a midfield containing himself, Gordon Strachan and Gary Speed with Eric Cantona up front with Leeds in 91/92.
He also represented his country 57 times (scoring 5 goals).
I'm sure if you asked him today, he would freely admit that he felt in 1999 in his mid thirties that the best part of his career was over and that the annual relegation battle with Coventry would probably see the end of his career. But Gerrard Houllier had other ideas and in the summer of 2000 brought Gary to the reds on a free transfer.
And what a wonderful and inspired signing it turned out to be.
In a fairly dismal start to his Anfield career, Gary was sent off on his full debut (wrongly imo by Graham Poll) against Arsenal in a disapointing defeat, and with the suspension that followed i guess most Liverpool fans expected that he would play just a bit part through the season.
However as the season wore on, it proved to be an inspirational signing, and Mcallister became probably our key player in the run in to three finals.
Scoring important goals in the league as we fought for fourth, non more memorable than the amazing last gasp winning free kick in the Merseyside derby. His great footballing brain was there to see in that moment as a feigned to take the free kick and bluffed the opposition keeper into edging a little to his left, the result as soon as i saw those feet shuffle was never in doubt.
As we won the FA cup and League cup Gary had already earned a special place in my heart, but it was in Europe that he earned a place in our history. (more on that in a moment)
What marks this man out as a special guy as well as a great player is his decent and respectful manner regardless of who or which club he is talking about. This was highlighted (and made me love him even more) when he scored the goal that practically relegated his old club and turned away from his celebrating team mates (the goal was important to us too) and almost mournfully walked away. What a man.
I was lucky enough to be at this game and will be forever proud that i got to see Gary play for us.
Ok so lets talk about Alaves. What a night what a game, having seen of Roma and Barcelona (with Mcallister of course inspirational) en route to the final, we met Alaves and in a barmy game that swept one way and then the other no player was able to stamp his authority on the game and a few players could stand up and say they were inspirational in the win, but non more so than our man Mcallister.
A true inspiration against Roma, and the key to beating barcelona he stepped up again against Alaves and in the key moments won his place in our history and our hearts.
In the following season Gary helped us to a huge points finish, but played less and was inspirational less.
In his own words at the end of the FA cup final "I am not the future of this great club, but i am happy to ba a part of the present"
I will never forget those great moments he gave us and will be always thankfull that Houllier signed him.
Many other players came of age over that time least of all Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. And many of those young pro's could have seen the fame and fortune get the better of them, but the fact that they had such a pro as a role model moulded them into the players they are today.
Gary now does a lot of commentary work for sky after sadly retiring from the game to care for his recently deceased wife YNWA, and speaks fondly and enthusiastically about us whenever given the opportunity. Hopefully one day he will feel ready to re-enter the game and can come back to the club that obviously has a special place in his heart.
Inspirational in every sense of the word, and winner of 5 (Liberty taken with 2 obviously) trophies in just 2 short seasons, take a bow Gary Mcallister.....
I wish we had signed you in 1990.
