Elisha Scott

Irish Footballers that Played for Liverpool FC - Elisha Scott

Elisha Scott - Introduction

Goalkeeper Elisha Scott was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 24 August 1894. Scott's older brother, Billy, had already established himself in goal at Everton and Elisha longed to have a professional football career himself. He was playing in goal for his local side in Belfast, Broadway United, when his brother Billy got a trial for him with Everton. Deemed to be too young and too small he was rejected by the Toffees. Legendary Liverpool FC manager Tom Watson pounced to take the young Elisha Scott to Anfield.

Elisha Scott & Liverpool

Elisha Scott made his Liverpool debut on New Year's Day 1913 against Newcastle United at St James Park. Scott kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw. Wexford man Billy Lacey was also in the team that day. It was his only appearance that season. In the following season he played four matches and unfortunately for the young Scott he conceded 11 goals as Liverpool won just one of those matches.

In the 1914/15 season he made a total of 25 appearances including his debut in the FA Cup on 9 January 1915 against Stockport County. Scott kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 win for Liverpool.

With the outbreak of the First World War League football was suspended for five seasons. During the war Elisha

Scott returned to his native Northern Ireland and played for three different clubs, Belfast United, Linfield and Belfast Celtic. With the latter club Scott won the Irish League and the Irish Cup.

After the war Scott returned to Liverpool with his new wife Alice Maud and baby son Billy. For the 1919/20 and 1920/21 seasons Scott was back-up for regular Reds keeper Kenneth Campbell. When Campbell was transferred to Partick Thistle in his native Scotland the was was clear for Elisha Scott to establish himself as Liverpool's number one goalkeeper. In his first full season as No.1 keeper with the club Liverpool FC won the First Division title for the third time. Liverpool conceded 36 goals, the lowest number for any Division One club in that 1921/22 season.

Scott missed just three league matches in that title season but he was an ever-present when Liverpool went on to win back-to-back First Division titles in the 1922/23 season. That season he conceded just 31 goals in 42 matches

Although he did not win any more trophies with Liverpool, Elisha Scott did go on to make a total of 468 appearances for Liverpool. This was dispite a five year gap due to the War. His career at Anfield began in September 1912 and ended in June 1934, a span of almost 22 years. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers to have played for Liverpool FC. When he left Anfield he returned to Belfast Celtic where he also managed the club.

Elisha Scott - Ireland Career

Elisha Scott made his debut for Ireland on 13 March 1920 against Scotland in the British Championship. Ireland lost 3-0. It wasn't until his sixth cap, five years later, that he managed to keep a clean sheet for Ireland in a 0-0 draw with Wales. He went on to earn 31 international caps keeping 6 clean sheets in the process. Elisha Scott won his last cap for Ireland on 11 March 1936 against Wales. It was almost 16 years, to the day, since his debut and he finished his international career on a winning note, beating Wales 3-2 at Windsor Park.

Elisha Scott - Liverpool & Ireland Statistics