A former Liverpool goalkeeper told the ECHO how a trip to the races led to his Anfield exit
Thousands of glitzy spectators are expected to descend on Aintree today for the 175th running of the Grand National.
The Grand National, regarded as one of the world’s most famous steeplechases, is also one of the most unpredictable events on the sporting calendar. The race is part of a three-day event that is expected to draw more than 150,000 people.
There are 59 racecourses in the United Kingdom, ranging from Perth in Scotland to Newton Abbot in Devon, and one of them was once the site of a Liverpool transfer squabble.
When David James arrived at Liverpool at the age of 21, he was regarded as one of England’s best and brightest goalkeepers. The Reds signed the then-England under-21 international from Watford.
However, his first season at Anfield did not go exactly as planned. While he started the season as first choice, a difficult game against Chesterfield in the League Cup cost him his spot.
Between September 1992 and January 1993, James started just one league game. When Bruce Grobbelaar was unavailable, he preferred Mike Hooper.
However, James had better times ahead of him. Grobbelaar returned to his side’s starting lineup after being injured during the 1993/94 season and went on to make 213 consecutive appearances for the Reds.
When Brad Friedel arrived in 1997, James was demoted to the bench once more. Although he was able to re-enter the team during the 1998/99 season, it was his final season at Liverpool.
In an interview with the Liverpool ECHO, James recalled how his Anfield exit began with a trip to Uttoxeter races, where he met former Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis, who was looking for a new goalkeeper after selling Mark Bosnich to Chelsea.
When asked about his Liverpool exit, he laughed and said, “Funny enough, I bumped into Doug Ellis at a race meeting at Uttoxeter.” “I never asked to leave the football club.
“Several more drinks. Let’s go introduce ourselves to Doug. So we went over to him and asked, ‘How are you doing?’ ‘It’s not good, we’ve lost the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, Bosnich, who is going to leave,’ says Doug.
“‘Second best,’ I said. He’s left: ‘Who’s the best now?’ Because I’m drunk, I’ve gone [points to himself]. I suggested he was mistaken and stated that I was. A week later, I signed with Villa. It was a hilarious conversation.
“I had no desire to leave Liverpool. It was simply him referring to Mark Bosnich as the Premier League’s best goalkeeper.
“Brad Friedel had just signed, and I still had a year left on my contract. I didn’t want to pull a Bosman and get a big payday; I wanted to play first-team football.
“My form wasn’t what it should have been because of what happened with Brad, and I didn’t see myself as Liverpool’s No. 1 at the time.
“Doug and Aston Villa made an offer, which Liverpool accepted, and that was the end of it.”
James also played for West Ham, Manchester City, and Portsmouth during his 25-year career. He made his England debut against Mexico in a friendly in 1997 and went on to win 53 caps for his country.
He was a Premier League record-breaker, having made the most appearances as a goalkeeper since the league’s inception, as well as an FA Cup winner with Portsmouth in 2008, before retiring in 2015.
James has worked as a pundit for various broadcasters around the world since retiring. He previously managed the Indian club Kerala Blasters. In 2019, he also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.
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