Liverpool FC Legend Bruce Grobbelaar With Ottawa Fury
Liverpool F.C. supporters all over North America are rejoicing at the fact that former club captain Steven Gerrard is set to make his debut with the LA Galaxy.
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However, these fans should note that another Anfield legend is already on our continent – not that anybody noticed.
Bruce Grobbelaar was the goalkeeper of choice at Liverpool throughout the 1980’s. During his tenure at the club, which lasted 14 years, Grobbelaar helped LFC to six English First Division titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups, and of course, the 1984 European Championship (now known as the UEFA Champions League).
He is probably best remembered for his heroic performance during the penalty shootout of those Euro Championships. With the important match heading to penalty kicks, Grobbelaar wobbled his legs (also known as ‘Lazy Legs’) to distract the AS Roma shooters. It worked twice, with two Italians putting their shots over the bar.
He left Anfield after the 1994 season and retired from top flight soccer in 1999. He accumulated 628 appearances for Liverpool and kept 268 clean sheets – both of which are good for second all-time among goalkeepers at the club.
“The original eccentric genius between the sticks.” – Liverpool’s official website on Grobbelaar.
Born in Durban, South Africa, Grobbelaar chose to represent Zimbabwe internationally. This prevented him from ever achieving success on the international stage.
Grobbelaar is now in his second year as the goalkeepers coach for Ottawa Fury FC of the North American Soccer League.
It is worth noting that Grobbelaar actually played in the old NASL. He made 24 appearances with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1979-80.
Head coach of the Fury, Marc Dos Santos, had this to say about the now-57-year-old former ‘keeper.
“He’s the best goalkeeper coach anybody could have. He’s a favorite in the locker room. When he talks about his past or what he thinks we could improve, everyone listens to him because he won the Champions League.
“He’s changed a lot. He’s funny and likes to have a good laugh, but he’s not as crazy as he was when he was a goalkeeper. He’s calmer, he teaches well. Goalkeepers really respect him and are very happy to work with him. I think he makes them better. It’s been a blessing for us. We’re lucky to have a guy like Bruce Grobbelaar on our staff.
Grobbelaar’s presence at the club has clearly had a positive effect. The Fury now sit in sixth spot in the NASL table – despite starting the season with one win in seven matches – and recently set the league’s all-time record for minutes played without conceding a goal.
“Our defensive play gives us a change to win everyone game,” Dos Santos said in a press release.
If the Fury find themselves in a penalty shootout and one of their ‘keepers pulls off the Lazy Legs, we will know who to thank.