NewsLiverpool's Greatest - No.84: Gerry Byrne
Years: 1957-1969
Appearances: 333
Goals: 4
Trophies: Second Division (1961-62), First Division (1963-64, 1965-66), FA Cup (1965)
Full-back Gerry Byrne was a hero of Bill Shankly’s brilliant and history-making Liverpool team in the 1960s.
A local lad who impressed in the club’s youth ranks, he signed professional forms in 1955 and debuted two years later, but had to be patient to properly make his breakthrough.
As it was for many, the appointment of Shankly as manager in 1959 proved seismic for Byrne, who went from being surplus to requirements to becoming a fixture on the Reds’ left flank for much of the next decade.
Indeed, he played in every game when Liverpool finally hauled themselves out of a long spell in the Second Division in 1961-62, including scoring one of his two career league goals for the club.
This tenacious defender continued to be crucial as Shankly’s men maintained their trajectory by winning the top-flight title in 1963-64 and then, a season later, finally ending the Reds’ wait to lift the FA Cup.
On an unforgettable May afternoon at Wembley, Byrne broke his collarbone early in the final against Leeds United but, remarkably, persevered to play the entire 120 minutes and set up the opening goal as Liverpool won 2-1 after extra-time.
Byrne was ever-present again when the Reds reclaimed the championship in 1965-66 but a damaging injury subsequently curtailed his game time and his last appearance came in spring 1969.
A year later, Anfield was full despite torrid weather to salute the Scouser at his testimonial.
“The best professional of the lot was Gerry Byrne,” said Shankly. “He wasn’t flashy and he wouldn’t score you goals. But he was hard and skilful and gave you everything he had.
“More than that, he was totally honest, which is the greatest quality of all. He was a true Liverpudlian who couldn’t look his fellow Scousers in the face after a game unless he’d given everything he had for 90 minutes.”
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