A number of eyebrows were raised at the transfer of Barry Venison from Sunderland
to Liverpool during the summer of 1986. On face value it was an unusual and unexpected
signing given that his side had just escaped relegation to the Third Division and that The
Reds already had one of the country's best right backs in the shape of Steve Nicol. The move
was actually initiated by the player who felt he could do a job at the higher grade so wrote
to the best club in the land to offer his services. Such enterprise was rewarded by a £250,000
deal and extended runs in both full back positions over his five seasons at Anfield.
He was also utilised in midfield on a few occasions. When operating from his preferred area
of the field he showed a number of the hallmarks expected of a Liverpool player and despite
the occasional wayward ball he managed to support attacks fairly well and was always a willing
and efficient link with midfield. A litany of setbacks including an achilles tendon snap, a calf problem
and appendicitis limited his contribution over the 1987-88 season when Liverpool swept all before
them and narrowly missed out on a second league and cup double within three years.
The introduction of youth team products Gary Ablett and Steve Staunton allied to the signing of
David Burrows was expected to see the defender marginalised but he bounced back the following
term to claim an FA Cup winners medal, adding a second championship to his honours tally 12
months later. A flamboyant dresser who also cherished his flowing locks, it was his sartorial elegance
that became the main topic of conversation amongst the fans when further debilitating injuries and
the advancement of others finally ousted him from the first team picture. Those injuries prompted
a return to his native North East with Newcastle United in July 1992, for precisely the fee the Reds
had parted with six years earlier. (Darren Williams)