SAMMY LEE PROFILE

 
Liverpool-born Sammy was an Anfield apprentice before signing professional forms for the club in April 1976, soon after his 17th birthday. His lack of height and stocky build did not prevent him from becoming a hard-working midfielder for a number of years as Liverpool's domination of domestic and European football in the 1970's continued on into the next decade. 

Sammy scored on his League debut in April 1978, with it must be said a fortuitous shot which the Leicester goalkeeper somehow allowed to creep under his body - but they all count !  But his appearances over the next two seasons were limited and he only began to establish himself as a first-team regular following Jimmy Case's departure to Brighton in the summer of 1981. Liverpool lost their League championship to Aston Villa but received ample compensation in the knock-out competitions, winning the League cup for the first time (although it took a replay to beat Second Division West Ham) and then defeating Real Madrid at the Parc dec Princes in Paris to take the European cup for the 3rd time. Sammy played in both finals and would also win other cup winners' medals - as well as three successive championships - during the next 3 years. His consistent club form brought him to the attention of the national manager and he was capped 14 times for his country. 

After the heady achievements of 1984, Sammy's form dipped from its usual high standards and he was called on only rarely during the second half of the 1984-85 season. He was also in and out of the team the next year and it was not too much of a surprise when he agreed to join Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 1986. He only had a year in London before seeking a change of fortune in the Spanish First Division with Osasuna. Sammy returned to England after two years in Spain and briefly represented a couple of other Football League clubs before returning to Anfield to become an enthusiastic and popular member of the club's 'backroom' team.