Zimbabwean Bruce Grobbelaar kept goal for arguably Liverpool’s greatest ever teams, between 1981 and 1994, and was known for his gymnastic-like athletic ability, unflappable confidence and eccentric style of play.
Born in South Africa, Grobbelaar grew up in neighbouring Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe), and served in the Rhodesian Army before he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1979.
He gained Liverpool’s attention during a loan spell at Crewe during the 1979–80 season, and signed for the club in 1981. He made 628 appearances for Liverpool over the next 13 years and won the League title six times, as well as three FA Cups, three League Cups and the 1983–84 European Cup.
Indeed, his most famous moment came in that final as his ‘jelly-legged’ goal-line antics unsettled the Roma players as Liverpool won on penalties.
1966: Niall Quinn, former Arsenal, Man City and Ireland striker, also a player and chairman at Sunderland (49).
1972: Mark Schwarzer, Leicester and former Australia goalkeeper (43).
1982: Paul Smith, the British two-time world title challenger in the super middleweight division (33).
1984: Morne Morkel, the tall and rapid South African fast bowler (31).
