Special Focus On…..The Late Danny Liquorish

It`s unbelievable to realise it`s been 11 years since former goalkeeper Danny Liquorish tragically passed away at the ridiculously early age of 46.

As a keeper he was often bravely diving in amongst the forwards` boots and he faced a seven-month fight against cancer with equal bravery before peacefully passing away at Cransley Hospice, near Kettering on November 18th, 2009.

His popularity can be judged by the fact that a `Just Giving` page was set up by his family to raise money for the hospice.

They had hoped to raise £20,000 and, in the end, they pulled in a terrific £36,045.

We shouldn`t have been that surprised as Danny was a hugely popular guy on and off the field.

I write this from my heart as Danny was a good personal friend of mine and I really miss his cheerfulness, optimism, sheer enthusiasm and yes, often cheekiness!

Apart from enjoying a pint or two in the local Briars Pub along with fellow football mates like Neil Edwards, Kevin Shoemake and Carl Alford, arguing and discussing the week`s games, Danny and I used to breakfast together most Saturday mornings in a local cafe.

I loved those Saturday mornings, often discussing the game that Danny had that afternoon for Rothwell or Corby and where I was travelling to.

Back some 24 years now – I can`t believe it`s that long! – I did an `official` interview with Danny during my time as editor of Team Talk magazine when he had just played his 300th game for Rothwell and as a little tribute to him, I would like to use that as a base to include in our popular `Focus On` features.

One of the main differences between players involved in non-League football and their professional counterparts is the genuine love and enjoyment of the game which shines through in semi-professional players.

That can certainly be said of Rothwell`s goalkeeper Danny Liquorish.

Danny, like many players in non-League football, received a knock-back during his early days when Norwich City decided that he wasn`t going to make the grade.

However, the Leicester-born custodian rolled up his sleeves and made himself a fine career in the semi-professional game as compensation.

In common with many keepers, Danny actually began as an outfield player.

“I used to play on the wing,” he said, “until my schoolteacher politely told me that I would be better off in goal!”

After his Norwich set-back, Danny joined the local Leicestershire Senior League scene, playing for the likes of Anstey Nomads and Newfoundpool before joining Rothwell, then in the United Counties League, from Wigston Town in 1989.

“When I joined Rothwell, Pat Coe was the number one choice. I managed to oust him from that spot, and he left.

“However, he later returned to the club and the tables were turned as I was now the number one!

“I was left out on odd occasions. For example, manager Jackie Murray signed the much-travelled Kevin Shoemake and, with his experience and skill, he obviously took my place. But his stay at Cecil Street was a fairly brief one – as many of his spells elsewhere were!!

“Despite our initial rivalry, we became good buddies!”

Many players would have immediately stormed into the manager`s office and demanded a transfer after being dropped, but not Danny. Loyalty was his trademark.

“I did look set to join my local Southern League club Leicester United. Their long-serving keeper Ian Marsden, who I rated as one of the best around, had told them he was retiring, so I was asked along for training with a view to signing.

“My brother Alan was with United and I wanted a crack at Southern League football, so I signed. However, within a couple of weeks, Ian Marsden had a change of mind and decided not to retire after all.

“When he returned, I quickly realised that my days at United Park were numbered, so I telephoned Jack Murray to see if he would have me back at Rothwell and he immediately said yes.

“The team spirit at Rothwell had always been the key to success and the reason why it was such an enjoyable club to play for.

“We all socialised together and, when on occasions we needed a backs-to-the-wall situation on the field, that team spirit saw us through.”

After joining the Bones, Danny managed to pick up a number of honours, including two United Counties League championships, two UCL League Cups and Northants Senior Cup winners` medal.

“The best memory for me was winning the UCL title for the first time in 1992/93. But that was then clouded when we were refused entry into the Southern League due to our facilities being inadequate at the time.

“However, we finally managed to obtain promotion the following year after winning the UCL title again. That showed great character after the blow of missing out the previous season.

“Our first season as a Southern League club saw us produce some excellent results and for me personally, winning and being voted as man of the match at Manor Park against a big club like Nuneaton Borough was a major highlight.

“Nuneaton may have fallen down the levels at the time but they were still a massive non-League club and for the likes of little Rothwell Town to be even playing against them in the same league was good enough, let alone actually beating them on their own patch!”

Rothwell did exceptionally well to finish in eighth spot in their first campaign as a Southern League club.

Manager Murray stayed loyal to the players who had won promotion but started to break that side up the following campaign.

The Bones still managed to finish in the same, eighth, position in 1995/96.

“The manager signed a few new players during the summer of 1995 and it took them time to settle in and get used to the `Rothwell way`.

“We started off badly but improved as the season went on.”

Danny ironically made his 300th appearance for Rothwell in the local derby against Corby Town on October 31st, 1995 when he came face to face with his mate and landlord Neil Edwards, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Kettering Town winger.

Edwards had left the Bones during the close season to return to Corby and suffice to say that Danny had more to celebrate that his landlord later that night, as I can testify to!

That victory was even sweeter for Danny as he had been dropped when the two teams had met earlier in the season in a Southern League Cup tie!

“We had been conceding quite a few goals and the manager decided to recall Pat Coe. However, he obviously realised that the problem wasn`t entirely down to me and changed the defence round and I was re-instated four games later!”

Danny went on to be rewarded with Rothwell`s player of the year trophy at the end of the 1995/96 season.

However, in December 1996, he moved to join his friend Neil Edwards at Corby and earned numerous man of the match awards, the players` trophy and played a major role in helping to keep a struggling Steelmen side in the Southern League.

Ironically, Danny missed out on Rothwell achieving an unlikely-looking promotion to the Southern Premier Division whilst at the Rockingham Triangle, but returned to the Bones in the summer of 1997 in more of a player-coach role.

It was as a popular and very good goalkeeper coach that he became after finishing his playing days (as a footballer) that season.

I say as a footballer, because Danny continued with his other passion, cricket, until his sad passing.

One of the keepers Danny had a big influence on at Rothwell was John Hughes, who also played County cricket for Northamptonshire.

So, when Hughes signed for newly re-formed Wellingborough Town in 2004, he called for Danny to come with him as goalkeeper coach.

Then in 2006, Danny was asked by former Rushden & Diamonds favourite Darren Collins, who was with him at Wellingborough, to become his assistant manager at fellow United Counties League Premier Division outfit Cogenhoe United.

They put a consistent squad together and finished 9th, 9th and 8th during this period, but the partnership came to a sad and untimely end when Danny passed away in November 2009.

Danny`s tremendous enthusiasm and personality made him a hugely popular figure with players, directors and supporters.

Non-League footballers aren`t renowned for their loyalty in general, many preferring to move on for an extra few quid.

But loyalty was certainly a label that could be attached to Danny Liquorish as both a footballer and a friend.

An indication of his loyalty was shown when I asked him much later to pick the best eleven players he had played with.

At first, he didn`t want to do it as he didn`t want to upset anyone by leaving them out! But a pint or two later made him a little less hesitant and he eventually obliged!

I have met many, many good people in football, as a player, manager and journalist – and some not so good it must be said!

But there`s one person who stands near the top of the tree for me and that`s Danny Liquorish.

I have no doubt you have been making everyone `up there` enjoy a laugh and joke and have probably borrowed someone`s harp! - RIP mate.

Danny`s Best XI (selected in 2006)

1. Kevin Shoemake
2. Kevin McDonald
3. Ben Lord
4. Dean Foley
5. John Coe
6. Andy Bullimore
7. Neil Edwards
8. Ku Akeredolu
9. Kevin McGuire
10. Ashley Warner
11. Andy Kirkup