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THE GARY MCALLISTER APPRECIATION THREAD.

Oncy

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Moderator
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.

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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.

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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.


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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.



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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.


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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.

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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.



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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.....


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I wish we had signed you in 1990.
 
Nice one oncy.

I enjoyed reading that.

I was thinking about theses threads the other day as I sat on the bus and thought to myself ''I wish someone would do one of these threads for Emlyn Hughes''

Maybe one of the older folk could do it. *nudge nudge* Sheik or another old lad.
 
CD said:
Nice one oncy.

I enjoyed reading that.

I was thinking about theses threads the other day as I sat on the bus and thought to myself ''I wish someone would do one of these threads for Emlyn Hughes''

Maybe one of the older folk could do it. *nudge nudge* Sheik or another old lad.

I love it when you think of old folk and you automatically mention Sheik.
 
What an excellent thread. I hope Sir Gary comes back to LFC one day.
 
CD said:
Nice one oncy.

I enjoyed reading that.

I was thinking about theses threads the other day as I sat on the bus and thought to myself ''I wish someone would do one of these threads for Emlyn Hughes''

Maybe one of the older folk could do it. *nudge nudge* Sheik or another old lad.

I am glad you were thinking about them on the bus Davo, it means they were worthwhile.

Its Peggy's turn again now, maybe he will do Crazy horse.
 
CD said:
Maybe one of the older folk could do it. *nudge nudge* Sheik or another old lad.

I'm still working (well, haven't yet started working) on The Sheik's Rough Guide letter D.
 
Herr Onceared said:
I am glad you were thinking about them on the bus Davo, it means they were worthwhile.

Oh they are mate.

I was a little sceptical about this ''Other Forum'' section, but now I feel it’s a rip roaring success. There truly is some excellent authors on this site.

Keep up the good work lads.
 
CD said:
Nice one oncy.

I enjoyed reading that.

I was thinking about theses threads the other day as I sat on the bus and thought to myself ''I wish someone would do one of these threads for Emlyn Hughes''

Maybe one of the older folk could do it. *nudge nudge* Sheik or another old lad.

Great idea!
 
Get on the case then mate.

You are old aren’t you?

Whoever if anyone writes it I think it would be better coming from someone who has watched him play. I have only seen videos, after diner speeches and interviews of him and I really like him as a player and a person. I'd just like to see what people thought of him and how he played.
 
CD said:
Get on the case then mate.

You are old aren’t you?

Whoever if anyone writes it I think it would be better coming from someone who has watched him play. I have only seen videos, after diner speeches and interviews of him and I really like him as a player and a person. I'd just like to see what people thought of him and how he played.

If you´re talking to me, I never saw him live. I grew up as his era was at its height, but I lived miles from Liverpool, and footie on the TV wasn´t anywhere neat as popular as it is now. I remember having to listen to one of the Euro Cups on the radio just so I could hear it live. We only had 3 channels back in the 70´s. Can you imagine that?

I don´t think I can do him justice......sadly. I´ll have to content myself with trying to raise profile of brain tumour awareness. It all helps.
 
i remember that game against Coventry..he nodded a few times to acknowledge the other players rushing up to congratulate him,but he took no joy from it..

despite being here for only a few fleeting moments, he was a true Red in every sense of the word.
 
Great piece Oncy... One GLARING mistake however....

He never won the title for Motherwell, As they haven't achieved that feat since errr.... Ever. Joke... 1932

I know Gary is old.... but he's not "That" old.

Just 2 Scottish Cups for the Steelmen. One in 1952 i believe and 1991.

Still Sir Gary Mac... as he should be... great piece.
 
Mr_V said:
Great piece Oncy... One GLARING mistake however....

He never won the title for Motherwell, As they haven't achieved that feat since errr.... Ever. Joke... 1932

I know Gary is old.... but he's not "That" old.

Just 2 Scottish Cups for the Steelmen. One in 1952 i believe and 1991.

Still Sir Gary Mac... as he should be... great piece.


God damn useless internet making me look a damn fool again.

Apologies if you are right, what can i say other than i just wrote stuff that i found.
 
Herr Onceared said:
Mr_V said:
Great piece Oncy... One GLARING mistake however....

He never won the title for Motherwell, As they haven't achieved that feat since errr.... Ever. Joke... 1932

I know Gary is old.... but he's not "That" old.

Just 2 Scottish Cups for the Steelmen. One in 1952 i believe and 1991.

Still Sir Gary Mac... as he should be... great piece.


God damn useless internet making me look a damn fool again.

Apologies if you are right, what can i say other than i just wrote stuff that i found.

I am right, Sorry Oncy, The old man is a Motherwell Fan, being born there n all. I checked his Big history book to double check... It is indeed 1932.
 
Top Bloke, wish he took up the Reserves job as I think he could've really inspired the lads, Can anyone see Robbie as reserves manager i na few years? He seems to have a real influence around the dressing room, and oen thing i've noticed form all the 'Big Interviews' on the OS, the whole squad seems to have Robbie (and Crouchys) numbers..
 
Love Gary Mac, myself.

Top player
Top bloke
Future top coach at LFC (hopefully)

One of the personalities I respect the most in football.
 
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