Supersub: The Story of Football's Most Famous Number 12

by David Fairclough

David Fairclough started just 92 games in an eight year Liverpool career yet his standing as one of the most famous goalscorers in the club's illustrious history is without question.

Another 62 appearances as substitute boosted his Anfield career total and it was for his role as Liverpool's number 12 for which he is best remembered. Fairclough was, and always will be, the original 'Supersub'.

Yet, it is a moniker he loved and loathed in equal measure and one he felt ultimately held him back in his career.

In this refreshingly candid autobiography Fairclough relives the highs and lows of a colourful career. He recalls his meteoric rise to stardom and the priceless contribution he made to the Liverpool's remarkable success under Bob Paisley. From his key role against St Etienne on arguably Anfield's greatest night, through a career that witnessed 19 major trophies, Fairclough lifts the lid on what life was really like for him in the Anfield dressing room of that time, his often fraught relationship with Paisley and explains the psychological burden of being cast as 'the outsider looking in'.

In an evocative collaboration with journalist Mark Platt, Fairclough's story is at once a compelling insight into one of the greatest teams in football history, populated by the great players whom David played with and against, and the gripping and characteristically honest memoir of one of Liverpool's most popular sons.

Available via decoubertin.co.uk is this exclusive limited edition version of David's book. Featuring original artwork by illustrator Steve Welsh and presented in a slipcase, these books have been signed by David Fairclough and produced in a run of just 154 - one for each of his Liverpool appearances.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published August 6, 2015

Reviews

[Peter P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Fairclough is an iconic figure from English football's First Division (now, the Premier League) from the middle 1970's into the 1980's. Despite playing for a few different clubs in the latter part of his career, he is best known for his time at Liverpool, where he played more than 150 games, posting an amazingly credible goal every three games. His most celebrated goal came in what was then the European Cup (now the Champions League) in the quarter final against then French powerhouse, Saint Etienne at Anfield and it is that goal - en-route to Liverpool first European Cup triumph - that defined Fairclough's career. This book will especially appeal to Liverpool fans who are old enough to remember the 70's teams of Shankly ad Paisley, and to those younger fans who want to know more about the time Liverpool emerged as a major European force. Fairclough does a good job and I very much enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

[Gavin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really disappointing read. Let down by the chosen narrative order. The level of insight into the great Liverpool teams of the late seventies and early eighties was shockingly shallow. The supposed feud between he and Paisley, while prevalent throughout, deserved a chapter of its own not to pop up randomly through the narrative so it read like a continuous me me me whine.
The travails of being a journeyman footballer playing out his career were interesting, but as with the rest of the book too much of it was wasted on "this happened, then that happened" type of info.
Yes there were some gems, but overall a disjointed effort.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read, honest and abosrbing book