David Fairclough - The Original "Supersub"

It seems an injustice to label a player who scored just 18 goals in 62 substitute appearances “Supersub”. But that’s exactly what David Fairclough became…Supersub

To be fair to Fairclough he hates the “Supersub” moniker. Ask him and he sees himself as more than that. He’s see’s himself as an integral cog in the Liverpool wheel that conquered England and Europe in the 70s.

Fairclough was “always the bridesmaid never the bride”. Despite being a key figure in Liverpool’s 1977 European campaign he was overlooked for the Final against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Sadly, it proved to be a familiar situation for him at Liverpool throughout his career.

Fairclough had already scored six times coming from the bench by the time Saint-Etienne arrived. This included an 88th-minute winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield in 1976.

St.Etienne

But St.Etienne will always be Fairclough’s golden moment in a red shirt. After losing 1-0 in France two weeks earlier Liverpool got off to an amazing start. Keegan scored in the 2nd minute with a cross-come-shot to level the tie 1-1.

But after a crazy first half that saw goals ruled out for both sides, Saint-Etienne levelled.

Anfield was silenced when Bathenay fired past Ray Clemence with a stunning long-range effort.

It appeared Liverpool were out of the tie needing 2 goals to progress. However, Ray Kennedy suddenly gave them a lifeline with a right-footed strike from the edge of the box.

Supersub is Born

15 minutes later Bob Paisley sent on Fairclough and the rest is history.

Liverpool pushed hard for the goal that would send them through to the semi-final. In the 84th minute, Keegan knocked the ball long to Fairclough rushing through with St.Etienne defenders hot on his trail.

Able to hold off their advances, the young red-haired striker nodded down the bouncing ball, took another touch in the box and slotted home. The crowd at the Kop End went mad.

When the full-time whistle blew, Liverpool had progressed 3-2 on aggregate.

Fairclough had earned his nickname of “Supersub”, the original off-the-bench game-changer and an Anfield legend was born…….