Ray Lambert

Born in Bagillt, Flintshire, Wales, Lambert joined the Reds as an amateur schoolboy in 1936 aged 13. In doing so, he set the record for being the youngest ever player to join a league side. He impressed Liverpool manager George Kay so much that he had Lambert sign professional forms on his 17th birthday in 1939. This was just a month before the F.A brought a premature halt to the league season because of the outbreak of the Second World War. Upon the conclusion of the war Lambert, now 23, returned to Merseyside but had to wait to make his debut, which came on 5 January 1946 in the first official competition after World War II—the FA Cup. Liverpool made the journey to Sealand Road to face Chester City in the 3rd round 1st leg, a game that the Reds won 2–0. Also making their debuts that day were Liverpool greats Billy Liddell and Bob Paisley. The full-back's first goal for the Reds came via a 77th-minute penalty on 8 October 1949 at Anfield in a league game against Middlesbrough. This also finished 2–0 to the Reds. Lambert fitted straight into the Liverpool line-up and held on to his place, which might be either left or right back as he was comfortable in each. He averaged 30 games a season for the following decade and become a favourite with the Anfield masses. He appeared in 36 of the 42 league games as Liverpool went on to clinch the first post-war championship by one point over Wolves and bitter rivals Manchester United. Lambert was also an integral member of the Reds…

Liverpool

Football League First Division: 1946–47 FA Cup runner-up: 1949–50