Ronnie Whelan

Now a very popular and in demand speaker on the after dinner circuit

Ronnie Whelan - Bi-og

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.