We here in Waterford were extremely lucky to have with us Alan Kennedy for our 4th Annual Dinner Dance. Below is a profile of the legend who wore the number 3 for eight years.
Name: Alan Kennedy
Years at Liverpool: 1978 to 1985
Position: Left-back
Date-of-birth: 31/8/1954
Birthplace: Sunderland
Signed from: Newcastle United (August 1978)
Games: 357
Goals: 21
Honours: First Division Championship (1978/79, 1979/80, 1981/82, 1982/83, 1983/84), European Cup (1981, 1984), League Cup (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984), Charity Shield (1979, 1980, 1982)
Have you heard the story about Alan Kennedy's two European Cup Final goals? It's a tale he likes to tell and it's one worth listening to because no other player in the history of continental club competition can claim to have done likewise. The mere mention of his name is enough for the mind to automatically conjure up magical images of never-to-be-forgotten nights in Paris and Rome. He will forever be inextricably linked with two of this club's finest triumphs and it's only right that no-one should be allowed to forget his immense contribution. Signed from Newcastle on the eve of the 1978/79 season, Kennedy had been on the losing side against Liverpool in the 1974 FA Cup Final but more than made up for that disappointment during a glorious seven year spell at Anfield. Ability-wise, Kennedy himself would admit he wasn't the best footballer in the world but he possessed other priceless attributes that added a new dimension to Bob Paisley's all-conquering machine. Energetic, enthusiastic and committed, Kennedy was prepared to run through brick walls in aid of the Liverpool cause and the fans took to him almost instantly. His battering-ram style when embarking on a foraging run down the left flank earned him the moniker 'Barney Rubble' after the popular cartoon character in the Flinstones. He became famous for his knack of scoring in crucial games and contrary to popular belief he didn't just save them for European Cup Finals. Kennedy capped his first season with the Reds by netting the opening goal in a victory over Aston Villa that clinched an 11th League Championship. Then there was his well-struck extra-time effort in the 1981 League Cup Final against West Ham at Wembley and an almost carbon-copy strike at the same venue (but opposite end) two years later as Manchester United were pegged back. Of course, his most celebrated moments were reserved for the grandest stage of all. Latching onto a Ray Kennedy throw-in nine minutes from time in the Parc de Prince in 1981, Barney cut in from the left and muscled his way through the Real Madrid defence before despatching his now legendary angled shot into the back of the Spaniard's net. Cue a manic celebration in front of the travelling Liverpudlian hordes and a third European Cup win. Fast forward three years and amid the nerve shredding tension of a penalty shoot-out in AS Roma's own Olympic Stadium up steps our hero once again to decide the destiny of the most coveted prize in club football, calmly slotting home the decisive spot-kick to silence the partisan home crowd. Cue another delirious jig of joy and a fourth European Cup triumph. It's debatable whether there'll ever be a more unlikely European Cup winning hero and, for that, Alan Kennedy will forever be spoken about in the highest regard by grateful Liverpudlians, who'll never tire of hearing about THOSE goals.
Sold to: Sunderland (September 1985)
Claim to fame: Paris '81 and Rome '84 – need we say anymore?
Did you know? Prior to the 1984 European Cup Final the Liverpool squad practiced penalties at Melwood and Kennedy was deemed one of the worst takers!
Where is he now? Living locally and working as a media pundit/after-dinner speaker