Alf West

Early life

Born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, on 15 December 1881, West played for local clubs Notts Jardine, Radford Congregational and Ilkeston Town before joining Barnsley St. Peter's (later to become Barnsley) in 1902. He quickly impressed, becoming the subject of a bid from Small Heath and attracting interest from other clubs. When West was signed by Liverpool manager Tom Watson in November 1903, Barnsley St. Peter's rewarded him with a testimonial match. The transfer fee paid by Liverpool to Barnsley for West's services was £500. The uncompromising full-back went straight into the starting 11 upon signing, and he made his debut in a Football League Division One match against Notts County at Anfield on 7 November 1903, a game that Liverpool won 2–1. His first goal was a penalty kick scored in a 3–0 victory over Bury on 16 April 1904 at Anfield. He couldn't prevent the Anfield club from being relegated at the end of the 1903–04 season just a point short of Stoke's tally. Due to an injury caused by a shooting accident while preparing for a sprint race with his trainer William Norman, West did not make his first appearance of the 1904–05 season until he played in a 3–1 loss to Manchester United on 24 December 1904. Despite this, West played in 16 matches of that Second Division campaign as the Reds shot straight back to the top flight, winning the second division title in 1905. A year later West added a League championship medal to his collection as he…

As a player:

Liverpool FC (1903 – 1909 & 1910 – 1911): 141 appearances, 6 goals – Football League Championship winner's medal (1906), Football League Second Division winner's medal (1905).