Ian St. John

Childhood

St. John grew up as one of six children under tough conditions on, his father died when he was very young, and he had early on even earn money to feed himself and his mother. Parallel to his work in the steel industry, he played as much football as possible and had so after its discovery as above average talented footballer by a father of a friend, a long time two professions.

Stations as a professional football player

Motherwell

Ian St. John began his professional career in 1956 in a Scottish first division against Queen of the South in his hometown at FC Motherwell, with whom he played quite successful. However, the dominance of the two Glasgow clubs could not break he and his teammates. Although now a professional, he had to continue working in the steel factory, because he got the week of club only 6 pounds. It is also remarkable that he in a play in Edinburgh scored a hat trick in less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds in 1959.

Liverpool

For the 1961/62 season St. John then moved for the then enormous sum of £ 37,500 to the south of the border and located by Bill Shankly trained Liverpool, with which he ascended in his first season in the same elite league of England. Particularly is that he scored a derby against city rivals Everton, three goals in his first game. In the first Erstligajahr St. John retired with the " Reds " only in the semi-finals of the FA Cup against Leicester unhappy and established himself as a respectable sixth among England's top teams. In the second year Liverpool was already champion and won the 1965 FA Cup against Leeds United, where St. John in the extension scored the winning goal. A year later, the LFC was again champion, with St. John not as offensive as in his first three years and played more as a preparer for his teammates, especially Roger Hunt served. In the same year defeated Liverpool in the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup against Borussia Dortmund (1:2). 1970 lost St. John and his team in the FA Cup final against outsiders surprisingly Watford. After ten successful years with the " Reds " St. John joined in 1972 once the club.

St. John was chosen by the fans of Liverpool FC 21st place in the list of " 100 Players Who Shook The Kop ".

Coventry and Tranmere Rovers

After Bill Shankly had banished him from the first team, decided St. John, nor ever a year as a player-coach for Coventry City and Tranmere Rovers to play before he ended his career in 1974 final.

Scotland

St. John was called 21 times for the Scottish national team, scoring 9 results. His debut came in 1959 in an international match against West Germany at Hampden Park Stadium, which ended with a 3-2 victory for the Scots. His last game for the national team, he graduated in 1965.

As a coach / manager

Ian St. John became a coach, first with his hometown club FC Motherwell, later he trained still at Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City.

As a TV expert

St. John was formed after his time as a player and coach with Jimmy Greaves in the show " Saint and Greavsie " from 1979-1992 a very successful and popular sports reporter duo.

Private life

St. John married ready very early in his youth swarm Betsy and has three children with her, but had to endure two miscarriages. He now has several grandchildren. In his spare time St. John passionate playing golf and now has a handicap of 13