|
Alex Raisbeck has the
distinguished honour of being the first Liverpool
Captain to lift the First Division Championship Trophy,
leading the team to the title in 1901 and again in 1906.
Born in Scotland on Boxing
Day 1878, Raisbeck began his playing career at
Hibernian, before moving south of the border to join
Stoke. Whilst at Stoke he caught the attention of
then Liverpool Manager Tom Watson, who duly signed the
dashing centre half in May 1898 for the sum of £350.
He made his debut in a 4-0 victory over Sheffield
Wednesday on 3rd September 1898.
At only 5' 10" Raisbeck
was not the tallest of defenders, but a strong physique
and natural athleticism more than compensated, and in
over a decade of playing for the club, Raisbeck was to
become one of the clubs most inspirational figures.
By the start of the
1900-01 season Raisbeck had been made Captain, and
responded by leading the club to its first ever 1st
Division title. He missed only 3 games all season.
He was still club Captain when the team repeated the
feat in 1906.
His success at club
level did not go unnoticed and during his time at
Liverpool he was capped by Scotland 8 times, earning the
Captains armband on 5 occasions. By the time
Raisbeck left Liverpool in 1909 he had played more than
340 times for the club and had been recognised as one of
the finest defenders of his generation.
After leaving Liverpool
Raisbeck went on to play for Partick Thistle and
Hamilton Academicals, before trying his hand at
management with Bristol City, Halifax Town and Chester
City. He eventually returned to Liverpool as a
scout.
Alex Raisbeck died on
12th March 1949 aged 70. |
