Gerry Byrne (footballer, born 1938) facts for kids
Gerry Byrne in 2006
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 29 August 1938 | ||
| Place of birth | Liverpool, Lancashire, England | ||
| Date of death | 28 November 2015 (aged 77) | ||
| Place of death | Wrexham, Wales | ||
| Height | 1.78 m | ||
| Playing position | Left back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1953–1957 | Liverpool | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1957–1969 | Liverpool | 274 | (2) |
| National team | |||
| 1963–1966 | England | 2 | (0) |
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Gerald Byrne (born August 29, 1938 – died November 28, 2015) was an English football player. He spent his entire career playing for Liverpool Football Club.
Contents
Gerry Byrne's Football Journey
Gerry Byrne was born in Liverpool, England. He joined Liverpool when he was just 15 years old in 1953. He quickly impressed the manager, Don Welsh. Gerry was offered a professional contract on his 17th birthday in 1955.
He made his first team debut on September 28, 1957. This was in a match against Charlton Athletic. It took him a few more years to score his first goal. This happened on February 3, 1962, in a game against Brighton.
Bill Shankly's Influence
When Bill Shankly became manager in 1959, Gerry's career really took off. Shankly saw Gerry's strong will and determination. Gerry was even on the transfer list, meaning he might have left the club. But Shankly quickly removed him from it.
Gerry played in 38 games during the 1960-61 season. This was a big step up for him. The team was in the Second Division at the time.
Winning the League Title
In the 1961-62 season, Gerry was a key player. He played in almost every game. Liverpool won the Second Division title that year. This meant they were promoted to the top league!
The next year, Liverpool was back in the big league. Gerry played in 38 of their 42 league games. He also played in all seven of their FA Cup matches. This led them to the 1965 FA Cup final. This game would become famous for Gerry Byrne.
The Unforgettable 1965 FA Cup Final
Gerry Byrne played in the 1965 FA Cup final on May 1, 1965. The match was at Wembley. Liverpool was playing against Leeds United. Just three minutes into the game, Gerry broke his collarbone. This happened after a tough challenge from Leeds captain Bobby Collins.
Back then, teams were not allowed to use substitutes. So, Gerry had to keep playing. He played through the pain for the rest of the game. He even played through all of extra-time!
A Heroic Assist
Despite his injury, Gerry kept running down the left side of the field. He was helping the attack. Early in extra-time, he made a perfect cross. Roger Hunt scored from it, giving Liverpool the lead. Leeds scored to make it 1-1. But then Ian St John headed in the winning goal. Liverpool won the FA Cup for the very first time!
After the game, manager Bill Shankly praised Gerry. He called it "a performance of raw courage." Gerry's bravery in that final is still remembered by Liverpool fans today.
Changes to Football Rules
Gerry's injury, and others like it, led to big changes in football. In earlier FA Cup finals, players had also been seriously hurt. For example, goalkeepers had broken bones. Wingers had broken legs.
These injuries showed that substitutes were needed. Finally, two years after Gerry's injury, substitutes were allowed in the FA Cup final. This made the game safer for players.
After the Final: World Cup Glory
The 1965-66 season was another great one for Gerry and Liverpool. They won their second league title in three years. Because of his excellent play, Gerry was chosen for the England squad. He joined Ian Callaghan and Roger Hunt for the 1966 FIFA World Cup. This World Cup was held in England.
World Cup Medal
In the 1966 FIFA World Cup final, only the 11 players on the field at the end of the game received medals. England won the final 4-2 against West Germany. Gerry was part of the winning squad, but he didn't play in the final.
Years later, the Football Association worked to get medals for all squad members. On June 10, 2009, Gerry received his World Cup medal. He was given it by Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street.
Gerry played two international games for England. His first game was on April 6, 1963, against Scotland. His second and last game was a friendly match before the 1966 World Cup. England won 6-1 against Norway. Gerry stayed at Liverpool until 1969. An injury ended his playing career.
Later Years
In his later life, Gerry Byrne suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He passed away in a nursing home in Wrexham on November 28, 2015. He was 77 years old.
Honours
Liverpool
- Football League First Division: 1963–64, 1965–66
- FA Cup: 1964–65
- FA Charity Shield: 1964, 1965, 1966
- Football League Second Division: 1961–62
England
