Original Press Photo: EMLYN HUGES – Liverpool Captain (20.0 x 19.5cm)

Item description

You are buying an original press photograph of  – Emlyn Hughes – Liverpool Captain.

The photograph Size 20.0 x 19.5cm.

Emlyn Hughes, was the son of Fred Hughes, a Great Britain, Wales, Barrow, and Workington Town rugby league footballer. After being refused a trial by local side Barrow, Hughes joined Blackpool, who were then a top-flight side. He made his début for Blackpool in 1964 and played alongside the likes of Jimmy Armfield and Alan Ball. Hughes was then an inside forward, but Blackpool turned him into a left-half, and as such he made his début for them in the 1965–66 season.

In February 1967, after just 28 appearances for Blackpool, he signed to Liverpool for £65,000, (based on average increases in earnings, this would be approximately £1,770,000 in 2009).Manager Bill Shankly was stopped in his car by the police as he drove Hughes to Liverpool for the first time and said: “Don’t you know who I’ve got in this car? The captain of England!” The policeman peered through the window and said that he didn’t recognise the man, to which Shankly replied: “No, but you will!” In the future Hughes did indeed go on to captain his country.

Hughes made his Reds début in the 2–1 league win over Stoke City at Anfield on 4 March 1967, he scored his first goal in the 6–0 thrashing of Newcastle United, again, at Anfield on 26 August the same year.

Hughes settled into the midfield at Liverpool during a transitional period for the club, earning the nickname Crazy Horse after an illegal rugby tackle on Newcastle United winger Albert Bennett. Liverpool did not win any honours in his first four seasons there but Hughes was seen as a demonstration of the future which Shankly had in mind. His versatility was noticed too – he filled in at left back and central defence, a trait which was spotted by England coach Alf Ramsey in 1969.

Ramsey gave Hughes his début on 5 November of that year, playing him at left back in a friendly against the Netherlands in the Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam. England won 1–0. He played in the next game in the same position. Hughes scored his only international goal against Wales; the opening goal of a 3–0 British Home Championship victory at Ninian Park in 1972.

This is a very collectable item for any sports enthusiasts. The photograph remains in Excellent overall condition. The back of the photo has the archive stamp of  “Barry A Paying, LRPS”.

Postage is FREE (UK) sent in a strong protective envelope. Postage to Europe will be £2.99. Postage to the rest of the world will be £3.99.

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