Mark Thomas Lawrenson is a former professional footballer who played as a defender for Liverpool, among others, during the 1970s and 1980s. After a short career as a manager, he then became a radio, television and internet pundit for the BBC, TV3, BT Sport and Today FM, retiring at the end of the 2021–22 football season. Born and raised in England, Lawrenson qualified to play for the Republic of Ireland through his grandfather, Thomas Crotty, who was born in Waterford.
Alan David Hansen is a Scottish former footballer and BBC television football pundit. Regarded as one of the greatest defenders and also one of the greatest Scottish players of all time, he played as a central defender for Partick Thistle, for the successful Liverpool team of the late 1970s and 1980s, and for the Scotland national team. Following his retirement from playing, Hansen became a football pundit, most notably on Match of the Day from 1992 to 2014. He became well known for his outspoken views, particularly on teams' defensive performances, frequently criticising what he believed was "diabolical" or "shocking" defending.
Raymond Kennedy was an English footballer who won every domestic honour in the game with Arsenal and Liverpool in the 1970s and early 1980s. Kennedy played as a forward for Arsenal and then played as a left-sided midfielder for Liverpool. He scored 148 goals in 581 league and cup appearances in a 15-year career in the English Football League. Also, he won 17 caps for England between 1976 and 1980, scoring three international goals.
Philip George Neal is an English retired footballer who played for Northampton Town, Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers as a full-back. He is regarded as one of the most successful English players of all time, having won eight First Division titles, four League Cups, five FA Charity Shields, four European Cups, one UEFA Cup and one UEFA Super Cup during his eleven years at Liverpool. He later returned to Bolton Wanderers as manager, leading them to victory in the Football League Trophy before spells managing Coventry City, Cardiff City and Manchester City.
Terence McDermott is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Nicknamed "Terry Mac", he is best known as a member of the Liverpool team of the 1970s and early 1980s, where he won three European Cups and five First Division titles. Either side of his time at Anfield, he played for Newcastle United, with his second stint seeing him reunite with former Liverpool teammate Kevin Keegan. Internationally, he was capped 25 times for England, and was part of the of UEFA Euro 1980 and the 1982 FIFA World Cup squads.
David Edward Johnson was an English professional footballer and manager who played as a forward and won major trophies for Liverpool in the 1970s and 1980s. He also played for Ipswich Town, Everton and other clubs, as well as the England national team.
Craig Peter Johnston is an Australian former professional football player. He played as a midfielder in the English Football League between 1977 and 1988, for Middlesbrough and Liverpool. Nicknamed "Skippy", Johnston was a crowd favourite at Anfield, making 271 Liverpool appearances and scoring 40 goals. He was a key member of the 1986 "double" winning team. He also co-wrote the team's 1988 cup final song "Anfield Rap". Johnston’s career ended prematurely when aged 27, he retired from football to take care of ill sister.
Garry Birtles is an English retired professional footballer who played as a forward in the Football League between the 1970s and 1990s. He is best known for his time at Nottingham Forest, during which he won the 1979 and 1980 European Cup Finals. He was also capped three times by England.
Colin John Gibson is an English former footballer. He was an attacking left back who could also play in midfield. In a 17-year career, he scored 34 goals in 448 league and cup appearances and also won caps for the England under-21 and England B teams.
Graeme Marshall Sharp is a Scottish former professional football player and manager. Sharp played as a forward for Dumbarton, Everton, Oldham Athletic and Bangor City. He enjoyed great success with Everton, helping them win English league championships in 1985 and 1987, the FA Cup in 1984 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1985. He made 12 international appearances for Scotland, and was selected in their 1986 World Cup squad.
Robert James Savage is an English footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League for Wrexham, Stoke City, AFC Bournemouth, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers.
Ken DeMange is an Irish former footballer who played for, among others, Liverpool, Leeds United, Hull City and Dundalk. As an international he also played for the Republic of Ireland.
David James Hodgson is an English former footballer who played for Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Norwich City, Sunderland, Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as top division clubs FC Metz in France, Mazda in Japan, and Jerez Club Deportivo in Spain. During his two-year spell at Liverpool he helped them win the First Division twice. He made 49 appearances in total between 1982 and 1984.
Keith Rayne is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and coached in the 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity (captain), Leeds and Doncaster, as a prop or second-row, and coached at club level for Batley.
Kevin Rayne is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity, Leeds and Doncaster, as a prop, or second-row.
David Watkinson is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Heworth, Hull Kingston Rovers and Dewsbury as a hooker.
Keith Bentley is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for Widnes, Barrow, Salford and Leigh, as a wing or centre.
Barry Wellings is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. He played for several teams in England, appearing in the Football League for York City, Rochdale, Tranmere Rovers and Swansea City. He also played in the Portuguese Primeira Divisão and Segunda Divisão for Académica de Coimbra.
The 1982–83 John Player Trophy was a British rugby league knockout tournament sponsored by John Player & Sons. It was the 12th season that the competition was held.
The RFU Knockout Cup was an English rugby union competition open to any member of the Rugby Football Union. First contested in 1971, it was the premier competition in English club rugby before the establishment of the English league structure in 1987.
