July 16, 1977
Midfield player Terry McDermott nursed an ambition to play for Liverpool since the age of nine after he had paid his first visit to Anfield. The Kirkby-born lad finally achieved is aim when he signed from Newcastle for the Reds in November 1974 for a fee of £10,000.
But he did not have a fairy-tale start to his Anfield career, for he failed to make an immediate impression. In a struggle to find his form, he went more than 12 months without a full League game in one period.
But impressive performance on last summer’s pre-season tour of Holland looked hopeful and since coming into the side midway through last season to clinch a regular place, he has looked a better player than when he first arrived.
McDermott explains: “The Boss was probably right when he criticised my lack of consistency in the past.”
McDermott used to play in the Sacred Heart school team at Kirkby with John Conteh and later when he played for Kirkby Boys, his team mates included Aston Villa’s Denis Mortimer and John McLaughlin, a former Liverpool player.
He signed for Bury as a 16-year-old midfield player and was immediately placed on a malt and milk diet to build him up. Four years later he moved to Newcastle – only to find Liverpool had been interested in him, and might have made a bid.
When first selected for England’s Under 23 team, he was asked if his next ambition was to play for the full England side, but he replied: “No, it’s to play for Liverpool.”
McDermott, whose own private fan club includes his parents, three brothers and two sisters, is the type of player who needs confidence and likes encouragement.
(Source: Liverpool Echo: July 16, 1977; via http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) © 2018 Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited
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