David Fairclough
Fairclough in 2008
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 5 January 1957 | ||
| Place of birth | Liverpool, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1973–1975 | Liverpool | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1975–1983 | Liverpool | 98 | (34) |
| 1982 | → Toronto Blizzard | 20 | (4) |
| 1983–1985 | Luzern | 40 | (8) |
| 1985 | Norwich City | 2 | (0) |
| 1985–1986 | Oldham Athletic | 17 | (1) |
| 1986–1989 | Beveren | 70 | (14) |
| 1989–1990 | Tranmere Rovers | 14 | (1) |
| 1990–1991 | Wigan Athletic | 7 | (1) |
| Total | 268 | (63) | |
| National team | |||
| 1976 | England U-21 | 1 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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David Fairclough (born Liverpool, 5 January 1957) is an English retired footballer, most famous for playing for Liverpool as a striker during the 1970s and 1980s.
Known affectionately as Supersub (because he was a talented goalscorer who, in comparison with other players, rarely started matches for Liverpool - but frequently came into the match as a substitute to make an impact) Fairclough was born in inner city Liverpool and as a child moved to the new Cantril Farm housing estate in the 1960s due to slum clearances. He rose through the Liverpool ranks as a boy and made his debut for the club on 1 November 1975 in the 1–0 league win over Middlesbrough at Ayresome Park. As the season progressed, Fairclough scored seven crucial goals in just 14 appearances to land Liverpool the League championship. Nine of these appearances were as substitute. David's first goal for the club came three days after his debut on 4 November 1975, during the 6–0 defeat of Spanish side Real Sociedad at Anfield in a UEFA Cup 2nd round 2nd leg tie.
The pecking order of strikers at the club saw Fairclough trailing behind the dream duo of Kevin Keegan and John Toshack, as well as England centre forward David Johnson. As the 1976-77 season got underway, Fairclough rose to third in the ranks due to a succession of injuries to Toshack, meaning that he was substitute more than ever.
His most famous Liverpool goal came at Anfield as a substitute in a crucial European Cup quarter final against the French side St Etienne. Liverpool had been a goal adrift from the first leg in France, and 2–1 up in the home return. The aggregate score was level at 2–2 but St Etienne were still in command because of their away goal. Liverpool therefore needed to score again to win the tie - but time was running out. Manager Bob Paisley sent Fairclough on in the last 20 minutes of the game and the red-haired striker, only 20 years old, responded in style. Only six minutes remained when Fairclough ran on to a long ball upfield and held off two St Etienne defenders. He prodded the ball home at the famous Kop end and Anfield had one of its greatest ever footballing nights. As the roar of the Kop screamed, Anfield folklore says that the roar could be heard three miles away. ITV commentator Gerald Sinstadt famously bellowed: "Supersub strikes again!"
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