Profile

Howard Gayle's shining moment for Liverpool came when he ran Bayern Munich's defenders ragged in second leg of the European Cup semi-final on April 22, 1981.

Toxteth-born Howard made his league debut for Liverpool as a substitute for David Fairclough at Maine Road in October 1980, but he didn't get a further opportunity until an injury-hit Reds squad was preparing for their European Cup semi-final in the Olympic Stadium.

Kenny Dalglish limped off early on after a rash challenge, and Howard Gayle ran the Bayern defence ragged for an hour despite being repeatedly fouled, before he was replaced himself by Jimmy Case.

It was a performance of astonishing maturity in such a big game from someone so young and his reward was to play in three of the final four league matches of the season before the European final.

With key players fit again, Howard knew he would not make the starting line-up in Paris. He was on the bench though, which meant the exclusion of the promising Ian Rush.

Although he never added to the four first-team games he played for Liverpool in 1980-81, he went on to have a good career with other clubs, most notably Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers.

Other clubs:
Fulham (loan), Newcastle (loan), Birmingham, Sunderland, Dallas Sidekicks (USA), Stoke, Blackburn, Halifax, Accrington Stanley (amateur)