Feature80 years ago today: An LFC great and Beatles favourite signs after the toss of a coin
Eighty years ago today, the toss of a coin set Albert Stubbins on a journey that would see him become a league champion, an Anfield hero and, remarkably, immortalised on one of the most iconic album covers of all time.
In a sporting context, Stubbins will forever be remembered as the spearhead of Liverpool’s swashbuckling post-war forward line.
His goals helped fire the Reds to a memorable title triumph in 1946-47 and a first Wembley appearance three years later.
The ginger-haired Geordie struck up an enduring rapport with Liverpudlians that began the day he joined the club for a record transfer fee.
The season was only a few weeks old and his wartime goalscoring exploits for Newcastle United had seen a host of clubs chasing his signature.
Among them were Liverpool and Everton.
Both clubs travelled through the night to the north east hoping to seal a deal, and Stubbins famously flipped a coin to decide who he should speak to first. It landed in the Reds’ favour and he put pen to paper without hesitation.
Two days later, he scored on his debut away at Bolton Wanderers and never looked back.
His immense popularity transcended sport and, in 1967, long after his retirement, he achieved further fame as the only footballer to appear on the cover of The Beatles’ seminal Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album.
Although the ‘Fab Four’ were notoriously reluctant to nail their footballing colours to the mast, Stubbins’ achievements at Anfield must have struck a chord during their childhood years and his name clearly resonated with them.
Among a host of famous faces assembled for the groundbreaking artwork, the former Kop idol can be seen to the right of George Harrison, peering over the shoulder of actress/singer Marlene Dietrich.
When sending him a signed copy of the album, Paul McCartney wrote: “Well done, Albert, for all those glorious years of football. Long may you bob and weave.”
Loved by Liverpool and The Beatles. As epitaphs go, it takes some beating.
This article has been reproduced from today's official matchday programme.
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