Author: Jones, Peter Kenny
Biography: sport
Published on 25 March 2024 by Pitch Publishing Ltd in the United Kingdom.
Hardback | 288 pages
165 x 241 x 29 | 562g
Sweeper Keeper is the compelling story of legendary goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence, one of the heroes of Bill Shankly's Liverpool, who has been called the first 'sweeper keeper'. A chance interview with the BBC in 2015 made Tommy Lawrence a viral sensation. The one-in-a-million-chance meeting led to a heart-warming recollection of his playing days for Liverpool.
Lawrence's story has a lot more to it than meets the eye. Known affectionately as 'the Flying Pig', the fabled goalkeeper led a roller-coaster life. After moving to Warrington with his family as a child, Tommy became friendly with local brothers Peter and Roger Hunt. Lawrence and Roger Hunt went on to be mainstays of Shankly's Liverpool revolution, winning league titles and the club's first FA Cup.
The romance at Anfield ended abruptly, though, and there was no testimonial. From riches on the pitch to rags on the streets, Tommy's life story is told by those who knew him best - family, friends and former team-mates.