The flying pig, a goalkeeper with special skills -
Tommy
Lawrence made his name with Liverpool in the 60's. A Scottish
international and a goalkeeper with fantastic saves and nicknamed "the
flying pig".
Tommy Lawrence played
for Liverpool from the age of 17, but it took him five years in the
youth team and the reserves before he was given his first team debut. Bill Shankly
gave Lawrence his debut in October 1962.
Tommy was more or less the first choice goalkeeper from his debut and
went on to play 35 league games during the 62-63 season. Liverpool
played at the 2nd level and Lawrence became a key player in a Liverpool
team that later in the 60's won the league and the FA Cup.
He was called the flying pig because of abillity to dive around in the
penalty area and make heroic saves. Lawrence was not a thin man and his
weight of 89kg showed that he was a well build player.
Lawrence lost his place in the Liverpool first team in the 1969-70
season and from the day Ray Clemence took over it was clear that chances
were limited.
Lawrence finished his career with Tranmere during a three year spell at
the Birkenhead club.
.jpg)