Despite his health issues one of my all-time favourite players is celebrating his 64th birthday.
Happy 64th birthday Ray Kennedy
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The myth is that Bob Paisley just looked at him playing as a centre forward and suddenly got the idea to convert him to left midfield. The reality is that Ray started out his career playing left midfield, and, while Bob was pondering how best to use him, he discovered this fact and that prompted him to try Ray in that position again. It was still an inspired decision by Bob (whom Kennedy would always say 'could read me like a book') but it wasn't quite the pure 'eureka' moment it's become in the folklore.
Ray was a glorious player. Swan-like the way he would seem to glide forwards, with wonderful passing and shooting technique and brilliant vision. And of course he could knock your head off as well!
Ray was a glorious player. Swan-like the way he would seem to glide forwards, with wonderful passing and shooting technique and brilliant vision. And of course he could knock your head off as well!
Even though Ray and Terry Mac are rightly regarded as amongst the best players we've ever had I still feel that they never quite got the recognition they deserved just because Souness was just too bloody awesome. Kennedy was brilliant, such poise and elegance which belied tremendous strength. We've been spoilt over the years with top class wide left players....Barnes, Kennedy, Whelan, Heighway, (Peter) Thompson etc but I'd say Kennedy had no peers in this position.................apart from Barnes.
Happy Birthday Ray.
Happy Birthday Ray.
Yes. Terry Mac, for me, would be worth at least £70m these days given the madness of the current market. He is probably the most under-appreciated player we've had, but he makes the adulation given to the likes of Wilshere or Ramsay seem absolutely laughable. Ray, too, as Pesam says, was so subtle he didn't get the 'wows' won by a Souness, but he was a connoisseur's player, who just purred along with such style.
Agree with all the above. Digger's on the left in my All-Time XI, but Ray Kennedy's on the bench as his stand-in and would absolutely not be out of place if he came on. Such a shame about his health problems.
My first favourite player and the reason Ronnie Whelan would eventually be my all-time fave...
Was very, very young when he played for us, but was devastated when he signed for Swansea. In the back garden, when I would commentate as I would play against the trees and swingset, once he left us, Liverpool always seemed to beat Swansea about 15-14, with Ray scoring all of their goals (usually capitalizing on a few Mark Lawrenson mistakes) in a heroic but ultimately losing effort.
Was very sad to later hear of his health and subsequent money issues.
Was very, very young when he played for us, but was devastated when he signed for Swansea. In the back garden, when I would commentate as I would play against the trees and swingset, once he left us, Liverpool always seemed to beat Swansea about 15-14, with Ray scoring all of their goals (usually capitalizing on a few Mark Lawrenson mistakes) in a heroic but ultimately losing effort.
Was very sad to later hear of his health and subsequent money issues.
Funnily enough I remember being somewhat in two minds about the signing to begin with, based on nothing more than the fact that his goal for the Arse against us made Derby champions ahead of us one previous season. 😀
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