David Fairclough is affectionately known as Supersub, because he was a talented goalscorer who in comparison with other players, rarely started matches for Liverpool – but frequently came into matches as a substitute to make a huge impact
The label is one Fairclough never relished but has learned to live with as he reflects on his massive medal haul. It seems unfair to label a player who scored a stunning 18 goals in 62 substitute appearances “Supersub”. But that’s exactly what David Fairclough became… Supersub
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, The Superb Supersub
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.
But St.Etienne will always be Fairclough’s golden moment in a redshirt. 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 was out of the tie needing 2 goals to progress. Fairclough had come on as a substitute for Toshack in the seventy-fourth minute and with six minutes to go, he latched on to Ray Kennedy’s lob and headed for goal.
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The ‘legend’ will tell you that he beat several defenders on his way into Merseyside folklore but the reality is that he kept his eye on the ball, brushed aside any challenge from a defender and then calmly tucked his right-foot shot under Curkovic into the Kop goal to bring about scenes which those who were there still talk about with a lump in their throat and a shiver down their spine!
His ecstasy was transformed into agony when he discovered he wasn’t either in the starting line-up in the FA Cup final against Manchester United or Liverpool’s first-ever European Cup final.
“I was very disappointed. I played in the FA cup semi-finals against Everton, started both games and had all the celebrations to go to the cup final. Leading up to the FA Cup final day, Bob Paisley tells me I am going to play in the final. It never happened. ‘You’ll play next week in Rome, I’ll need you in Rome.’ Then in Rome, I was a sub,” Fairclough revealed.
Kevin Keegan was certainly impressed by his strike partner as he revealed in 1977:
“Dave’s difficult to play with because you just can’t read him, that’s what makes him such a dangerous opponent. The best is yet to come from him and in a couple of years’ time, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with. His best asset is his pace coupled with his control. You must remember that he’s not a regular yet, and like a lot of youngsters, might have difficulty in adapting when opponents do get the measure of him. That’s when the real test will come, but I’m sure he’ll do well. He’s got ability you can’t coach into a player.”
Impact
The flame-haired Liverpool-born raider joined the club during the Bill Shankly era but exploded onto the big stage during Bob Paisley’s management reign. During his debut season of 1975-76, he hit seven goals in 14 League appearances – nine of them as a substitute – to help land the title.
Fairclough’s pace and shooting power, which brought him 55 goals, tested the finest defences. His own favourite goal also came as a substitute at Anfield, a year earlier when he beat six Everton defenders before firing past goalkeeper Dai Davies to win the Mersey derby. Yet despite his reputation, Fairclough’s 61 stints as a substitute were eclipsed by his 92 Liverpool starts. He joined Swiss club Lucerne in 1983, the first of a batch of clubs at home and abroad.
Fairclough Life & Legacy
Fairclough now works as a pundit and also on the after-dinner circuit, he also writes a weekly column on the official Liverpool Football Club website.
Fairclough is still a firm favourite amongst the Anfield faithful and was voted in at No.18 on the 2006 poll 100 Players Who Shook The Kop. The poll was conducted by the Red’s official website, 110,000 supporters worldwide took part listing their favourite 10 Liverpool players of all time.
Fairclough’s 18th place was higher than John Toshack’s 34th and David Johnson’s 77th positions, two of the players that prevented Fairclough from gaining more Liverpool appearances.
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Fairclough was married to Jan Fairclough who died on 9 April 2011. Jan collapsed suddenly on the morning of 6 April of a brain haemorrhage and died 3 days later. A minute of silence was held for Jan (as well as the 96 Hillsborough victims and Mark Burgan, a soldier from Liverpool) at Anfield before a Liverpool vs. Manchester City match on 11 April 2011. Fairclough and Jan have two children, Tom and Sophie.
Fairclough suffered a minor heart attack on 3 October 2010, at the age of 53, but made a full recovery.
- Birthdate: 5 January 1957
- Birthplace: Liverpool, England
- Other clubs: Toronto Blizzard (loan 1982), Luzern (1982-85), Norwich City (1985), Oldham Athletic (1985-86), Beveren (1986-89), Tranmere Rovers (1989-90), Wigan Athletic (1990-91)
- Bought from: Local
- Signed for LFC: Joined 1972 – Professional 09.01.1974
- International caps: u-21 1/0 cap/goal
- Liverpool debut: 01.11.1975
- Last appearance: 16.04.1983
- Debut goal: 04.11.1975
- Last goal: 09.04.1983
- Contract expiry: 04.07.1983
- Win ratio: 53.9% W:83 D:40 L:31
- Games/goals ratio: 2.8
- Games/assists ratio: 19.25
- Honours: League Championship 1975/66, 1976/77, 1979/80, 1982/83; League Cup 1983; European Cup 1977, 1978; UEFA Cup 1976;European Super Cup 1977
- Total games/goals opposite LFC: 2 / 2
- League games / goals / assists: 98 / 34 / 6
- Total games / goals / assists: 154 / 55 / 8
