Liam Brady

Born: 13 Feb 1956, Dublin

If ever a boy was destined to become a footballer, then that boy was Liam Brady.

Football was in his blood. Liam’s uncle Frank had played for Ireland, as did Brady’s older brother Ray. Another of his older brothers, Pat also played league football.

Young Liam grew up in the North of Dublin, just a few hundred yards from two other Irish lads – David O’Leary & Frank Stapleton, who would both later become his team mates at Arsenal.

His talent was spotted at the tender age of 13, whilst playing for St Kevin’s Boys Club u-15’s. Arsenal scout Bill Darby is reputed to have claimed Brady “Has a left foot that practically talks”.

Brady went to Arsenal as a schoolboy, and moved into lodgings close to the ground. A big adventure for a young lad (then 15), but considering his two brothers were already living in London, playing for Millwall & QPR, it’s perhaps inevitable he ended up in the capital.

Arsenal were impressed with the youngster and gave him an apprentice contract in 1971, immediately after securing their league & cup double. His progress was closely watched, and in Feb 1973 on his 17th birthday, he was given a Professional contract.

It wasn’t until October 1973 however, that he was awarded a first team appearance. He would probably have been given a run sooner if not for his diminutive stature. The hatchet men would certainly have this kid’s card marked.

This appearance came as a substitute, but he was an immediate success, and his performance forced manager Bertie Mee to pick him again the following week for the derby fixture with Tottenham Hotspur. This proved to be a mistake, as Brady had a stinker and was probably not quite ready to be a first team fixture.

He was used sparingly through this first season with just 13 appearances. There had been glimpses of that cultured left foot, the exact passing and the quickness of thought. He also bagged his first Arsenal goal at QPR.

Over the next year, training & playing alongside Alan Ball and watched by John Giles (who would give him his first Ireland cap), Liam Brady became a consummate performer. Light on his feet, with an ability to ride the tackle Brady was always at his best, and happiest, going forward. His vision & passing would become increasingly relied on to orchestrate the play in what was frankly, a very ordinary Arsenal side.

From 1975 Brady was established as the main creative force in the Gunners midfield, and in the Ireland side. He would go on to become the most capped Irishman, and his talents were noticed whenever he played abroad.

Ray Clemence once said of Brady “That left foot, he can do almost anything with it, and his right foot’s not for standing on. He’s got superb control, his vision’s excellent, and he keeps hitting those long accurate first time passes, and great shots…” Anything else Ray?

The Arsenal side was now falling apart, the success of the double well behind them, and Brady found himself relied on more and more. By the start of the 1978/9 season, Liam Brady was seen as one of the clubs most experienced players, and this year was to be his best.

The high point in the League was a 5-0 thrashing of Spurs at white Hart Lane in which Brady was magnificent, controlling all the Arsenal attacks and scoring a wonder goal of his own. 1979 would end with the classic Arsenal v Manchester United FA Cup final.

Arsenal controlled the first half of that game and lead 2-0 at half time. Both goals, the first by Brian Talbot, and the second by Frank Stapleton, were laid on by Brady who was strolling around Wembley as if he owned the place.

United huffed and puffed their way through the second half, with vain attempts at a fightback as Brady was still controlling the Arsenal play. A late goal from Gordon McQueen gave Utd renewed hope with just 5 minutes to go, and they poured forward in search of an equaliser.

Then, with just 2 minutes left Sammy McIlroy scored again to equalize. Extra time surely!

Moments later, Liam Brady led forward a final attack and played the ball into the path of Graham Rix on the left. Rix crossed, Alan Sunderland headed in, the cup went to Arsenal. Breathtaking.

The icing on the cake in this year was Brady’s recognition from his fellow professionals with the PFA Player of the year award.

The high profile games that Brady had played in, the Internationals, the cup final & Arsenal’s forays into Europe had served to get him noticed, and now several big clubs were desperate to sign him.

He would end up at Juventus, who were no doubt impressed when Arsenal had beaten them over 2 legs in the Cup Winners cup with Brady again magnificent. £514,000 changed hands, which even in those days was not a vast sum.

Liam Brady would spend 7 years in Italy with Juventus, Sampdoria, Inter Milan & Ascoli before returning to London to end his career with West Ham. He is most fondly remembered by the Juve fans, who still regard him as a hero for scoring the goal that won them the league title in 1982.

Accumulation of minor niggling injuries finally put paid to his playing career in 1990. He had a couple of spells as a manager with Celtic and Brighton, but then returned to Arsenal as Head of Youth Development.

Liam Brady’s Career Statistics
CLUB GAMES GOALS
Arsenal 253 43
West Ham United 79 8
Ireland 72 9
Total 386 60