The lad is going to be a superstar

Article by Craig Muncey

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I am going to write 5 articles on players who joined Liverpool as youngsters, with many coaches beliefs that they were going to be the next big thing in football, and who did not reach those levels, some due to bad luck, some just down to prodigies at youth football, but then in adulthood other players progressed up to them and past them.

First player I highlight is Steve Peplow.

Steve Peplow joined Liverpool as an apprentice at the age of 15. In 1966 (not a bad year in English football), Peplowsigned professional terms with Liverpool, he was 17 at the time. Peplow a young striker, was banging in the goals for fun for the reserves and many believed the player would be become a big star, his breakthrough into the first team being thwarted by Ian St John, Roger Hunt and Tony Hateley.

Peplow and Jackie Charlton

In the 1968-69 season, Peplow scored 19 goals for the reserves, and finally got his break in the first team making his debut at Anfield in November 1969, versus West Ham United,captained by England hero, Bobby Moore, a match that is famous due to it being the first match televised in colour on Match of The Day, Liverpool winning 2-0.

Peplow would keep his place for the next game against Leeds United, which resulted in a draw.

His final first team appearance was in the Fairs Cup, against Portugese team, Vitoria Setubal. Liverpool were losing when Peplow was substituted for goalscoring legend, Roger Hunt, who in this match, scored his last ever goal for Liverpool, unfortunately though Liverpool were eliminated from the tournament.

Steve Peplow would never play for the first team again, in 1970, the club deciding to rely on players upfront such as Ian St John, John Toshack, Phil Boersma and Alun Evans.

Peplow went on loan to Swindon Town, playing 15 matches and scoring six goals, Swindon made the move permanent, after two seasons, he then joined Nottingham Forest. He finally ended up at Tranmere Rovers, under famous Tranmere manager, Johnny King, who converted Peplow from a striker to a right winger, which proved very successful, playing 8 years, making 248 appearances and scoring 44 goals.

Steve Peplow had a successful career as a footballer, but never hit the heights of that first match, in front of a televised audience up against World Cup Winner and Captain, Bobby Moore.