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Bolton-born right or left back Longworth, one of the dominant and influential figures of Liverpool history, was the first Anfield player to captain England. He was given that honour against Belgium in Brussels in 1921, the second of five unbeaten outings for his country. He had made his debut in the memorable duel with Scotland at Hillsborough the previous year, when England fought back from 4-2 down to win 5-4. After progressing from junior football he played for Bolton Wanderers in the Lancashire Combination and Leyton in the Southern League before joining Liverpool in 1910 and becoming captain. Longworth made 370 senior appearances - without a goal to this name - in a marathon Anfield career that saw him play until he was 40 and also brought him Football League recognition. His superb full back partnership with Don McKinlay was a feature of Liverpool's team that captured the League championship in consecutive seasons in 1922 and 1923. Those two medals added to Longworth's FA Cup runners-up medal in 1914. He was immediately recognisable for a lock of hair hanging over his forehead. Standing a shade below 5ft 9ins his intelligence and positional sense was without peer. After retiring in 1928 he joined Liverpool's coaching staff and died in 1968. If you have anything to add to the profile of this player, why not e-mail it to us?
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