Geoff Twentyman
Encyclopedia
Geoff Twentyman was an English
footballer who is mainly remembered for his links with Liverpool Football Club
as both a player and as chief scout.
, England
, the left-half played for Swift Rovers as an amateur and Carlisle United
before he was spotted, by Don Welsh
who signed him for the Reds in the December 1953 for £10,000, he made his debut the same month on the 19th in a league match against bitter rivals Manchester United
at Old Trafford. United won 5–1. His first goal came almost a year later on the 9 November 1954 in a 2–1 win over Hull City
in a 2nd Division
match at Anfield
.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, Twentyman’s signature couldn't prevent them from being relegated by the end of his first season at the club, in fact all of Twentyman's Liverpool appearances were during the dark days in Anfield’s history when they struggled to get out of the 2nd Division, even though they were finishing consistently just outside the promotion places.
Twentyman stood 5’ 11” and was a strong, robust player who made his name at Carlisle as a Centre-Back having been switched there by the great Bill Shankly
during his spell as Manager of the Brunton Park
club.
Twentyman featured in 184 matches scoring 19 goals before leaving Liverpool, he went on to became Player/Manager of Irish
side Ballymena United
, ironically and maybe a little unluckily, he left the Reds just 9 months before the arrival of his former boss, Shankly. After his spell at Ballymena, Twentyman returned to play for Carlisle for a second time, he also went on to represent Morecambe
and Penrith
.
After his retirement Twentyman had a short 4 month spell as the boss of Hartlepools United
before being replaced by a certain Brian Clough
. He was then invited by Shankly to return to Liverpool in 1967 in the role of Chief Scout. It was in this role that Twentyman made his name at Liverpool discovering such talents as Ian Rush
at Chester
(£300,000), who became captain and ended up Liverpool's all time record goalscorer; Phil Neal
at Northampton Town
(£66,000), who became skipper and won the most medals by a single player in the Reds history; and Alan Hansen
at Partick Thistle
(£100,000), who also became club captain and was the most elegant of defenders, arguably the best the club has ever had, to name but 3. He eventually spent 21 years in the role working for the likes of Bob Paisley
, Joe Fagan
and Kenny Dalglish
, he finally left in 1986.
Twentyman went on to become Chief Scout for Rangers
when former Reds Captain Graeme Souness
came calling.
Geoff died in Southport
on 16 February 2004, aged 74, he will not only be remembered as a strong and steady player but also having the eye for spotting quality young talent as his record suggest.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who is mainly remembered for his links with Liverpool Football Club
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
as both a player and as chief scout.
Life and playing career
Born Brampton, Carlisle, CumberlandCumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the left-half played for Swift Rovers as an amateur and Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
before he was spotted, by Don Welsh
Don Welsh
Donald "Don" Welsh was an English football player and manager. As a player he played at inside left for Charlton Athletic and for England, winning the FA Cup with Charlton in 1946–47.-Playing career:...
who signed him for the Reds in the December 1953 for £10,000, he made his debut the same month on the 19th in a league match against bitter rivals Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
at Old Trafford. United won 5–1. His first goal came almost a year later on the 9 November 1954 in a 2–1 win over Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
in a 2nd Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
match at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, Twentyman’s signature couldn't prevent them from being relegated by the end of his first season at the club, in fact all of Twentyman's Liverpool appearances were during the dark days in Anfield’s history when they struggled to get out of the 2nd Division, even though they were finishing consistently just outside the promotion places.
Twentyman stood 5’ 11” and was a strong, robust player who made his name at Carlisle as a Centre-Back having been switched there by the great Bill Shankly
Bill Shankly
William "Bill" Shankly, OBE was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Liverpool between 1959 and 1974. One of Britain's most successful and respected football managers, Shankly was also a fine player whose career was interrupted by the Second World War...
during his spell as Manager of the Brunton Park
Brunton Park
Brunton Park is a football stadium and the home of Carlisle United F.C. It is situated in the city of Carlisle, Cumbria and has a certified capacity for the 2011/2012 season of 18,202. The ground opened in 1909...
club.
Twentyman featured in 184 matches scoring 19 goals before leaving Liverpool, he went on to became Player/Manager of Irish
IFA Premiership
The IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
side Ballymena United
Ballymena United F.C.
Ballymena United, is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club hails from the town of Ballymena, County Antrim and plays its home matches at Ballymena Showgrounds. Club colours are sky blue and white. Away Colours are Red and BlackThe club was...
, ironically and maybe a little unluckily, he left the Reds just 9 months before the arrival of his former boss, Shankly. After his spell at Ballymena, Twentyman returned to play for Carlisle for a second time, he also went on to represent Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
and Penrith
Penrith F.C.
Penrith F.C. is an football club based in Penrith, England founded in 1894. They originally joined the North Eastern League in 1907–08, and are currently members of the Northern League Division One....
.
After his retirement Twentyman had a short 4 month spell as the boss of Hartlepools United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
before being replaced by a certain Brian Clough
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
. He was then invited by Shankly to return to Liverpool in 1967 in the role of Chief Scout. It was in this role that Twentyman made his name at Liverpool discovering such talents as Ian Rush
Ian Rush
Ian James Rush, MBE, is a retired football player from Flint, Wales. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield...
at Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
(£300,000), who became captain and ended up Liverpool's all time record goalscorer; Phil Neal
Phil Neal
Philip George "Phil" Neal is a former footballer who was, at one time, the most successful player in English football history. He played for Liverpool 650 times over an eleven year period and is the only player to have appeared in the first five of their European Cup finals, winning four of them...
at Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
(£66,000), who became skipper and won the most medals by a single player in the Reds history; and Alan Hansen
Alan Hansen
Alan David Hansen is a Scottish former football player and BBC television football pundit. He played as a central defender for Partick Thistle, Liverpool and Scotland...
at Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
(£100,000), who also became club captain and was the most elegant of defenders, arguably the best the club has ever had, to name but 3. He eventually spent 21 years in the role working for the likes of Bob Paisley
Bob Paisley
Robert "Bob" Paisley OBE was an English football half back turned manager. His association with Liverpool was to span nearly half a century including his contribution to the club, first as a player, then as a physiotherapist and coach, and finally as manager.In nine years as manager between 1974...
, Joe Fagan
Joe Fagan
Joe Fagan was an English football manager best known for being manager of Liverpool F.C. from 1983 to 1985.- Career:Joe Fagan's playing career was largely spent at Manchester City for whom he signed in 1938...
and Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish
Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish MBE is a Scottish former footballer and the current manager of Liverpool F.C.. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two club teams, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is the most capped Scottish player, with 102 appearances, and...
, he finally left in 1986.
Twentyman went on to become Chief Scout for Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
when former Reds Captain Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s and player-manager of Rangers in the late 1980s as well as captain of the Scottish national team. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur,...
came calling.
Geoff died in Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
on 16 February 2004, aged 74, he will not only be remembered as a strong and steady player but also having the eye for spotting quality young talent as his record suggest.