Our fullbacks from Shanks' early days - Chris Lawler, a cultured RB who was also dangerous in the opposition's pen.area, a quiet and modest guy who should have played a lot more often for England, and Gerry Byrne, a boyhood bluenose, LB and one of the hardest players we ever had, the only guy whom Tommy Smith thought twice about tackling in training.
Byrne and Lawler were a very contrasting pair weren't they? What Gerry achieved with bone-crunching tackles, Chris did with reading the game and staying on his feet. Lawler was the epitome of the cultured player and I agree he should have played more for England. Gerry Byrne wouldn't have survived 10 minutes with a present-day Premier League referee! 😀