Been there, got the shirt

KING KEV: Kop legend Kevin Keegan fires Liverpool ahead in the Merseysiders’ 3-1 victory over Athletic during Jimmy Frizzell’s reign.

OUT on the pitch and plotting from the dug-out, Jimmy Frizzell experienced both sides of the coin when taking on Liverpool on Athletic's behalf.

The last time Athletic played the Reds in the FA Cup on home soil was in 1962. In front of a huge crowd of 41,733, the legendary Frizzell was only two years into a spell that would slowly turn into a Boundary Park odyssey.

And, once installed in the manager's seat, the Scot (74) had the honour of instructing his side when the clubs met again in the competition.

The result, on both occasions, was that Athletic were knocked out.

But the away-day in taking on the Anfield class of '77 — which included the likes of Kevin Keegan, Emlyn Hughes and Steve Heighway, the club going on to lift the European Cup that season — was certainly beneficial in Frizzell's eyes.

"It was a big game for us, without a doubt," he said, recalling a 3-1 away defeat in which David Shaw at one point scored an equaliser.

"We played quite well, but in the end Liverpool ran out deserved winners.

“Having said that, the game gave a big boost to us as a team."

Athletic finished 13th in Division Two that same season, with the cup run which ended at the fifth-round stage providing a welcome slice of exhilaration.

The same is true of the Athletic side of today. While form in the league has been changeable, success in the FA Cup and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy have fired the imagination of fans.

Frizzell says that the Friday night clash at Anfield in the New Year should be enjoyable for all concerned, regardless of the result.

"Anfield is a tremendous place to go to," he added.

"Some fans will have been there before, of course, and I am sure everyone will enjoy the occasion — especially with Kenny Dalglish being their manager now, with all his success in the past for the club.

"Running out at big grounds like Anfield should be an experience everyone enjoys.

"I am sure there will be a few nerves among the Athletic players as they head down the tunnel for the first time.

"But once that whistle blows, that is forgotten. The goal has to be to go out there and enjoy it."

Frizzell, who spent an unbroken 22 years at Boundary Park as a player and then boss after journeying south from Greenock Morton, had a later spell in charge of Manchester City in the late 1980s. He returned to Maine Road as chief scout between 1994 and 1998.

In his first stint, Frizzell got to know Athletic's current assistant manager Gerry Taggart when the centre-back was a City apprentice. And after coming back, he also worked in the same environment as then-striker Paul Dickov.

"I think they have done well," Frizzell said, when asked to assess how the managerial team has fared so far.

"Money has been tight, which makes things difficult. I haven't been to see them play this season, but reading the Chronicle reports it seems that a good result is followed by a bad one.

"It would be nice to think they can go to Liverpool and come back with a draw.

"But even if they don't, the club will at least do well out of it financially."