Steve Heighway is probably known better to a whole generation of Liverpool fans for being part of the song ‘Fields of Anfield Road’ rather than what they remember on the pitch.
The winger, who by any stretch of the imagination has to be regarded as one of the most successful Republic of Ireland club players of all time, was part of Liverpool’s academy for many years and was key in the development of Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Michael Owen among many others.
Heighway left the club in 2007 after various issues with the then owners, but was brought back last season on a temporary basis to oversee the club’s U9s.
And now this evening the 34-times capped Irish international has been announced as taking up a full-time role within the club’s academy as consultant.
Speaking to the club’s website this afternoon the 67-year-old explained that he will be looking at developing the club’s teenagers under the guidance of academy director Alex Inglethorpe,
“I’m pretty clear what Alex wants from me, particularly working with the 15- and 16-year-olds. We are calling it a consultancy.
“I must make it very clear that I’m not in charge and I’m not Alex’s assistant in any way and there’s terrific staff here. Each team has their own coach and they are all very, very good. I guess my job is to try to see is there anything I can add to that?”
“Because my position is to not directly coach a team or not to have any responsibility for any management or organisational activities at the Academy, is there anything I can provide that is over and above what is already being provided?”
“That might be contact time with an individual boy, it might be contact time with groups of boys, it might be in the lecture theatre talking about different aspects of the game.”
Heighway was much admired inside Anfield and helped the progress of players such as Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard to become first-team regulars.
#LFC are delighted to announce Steve Heighway has returned to the Academy as a consultant https://t.co/ILE5xMlkNT pic.twitter.com/mzkRemKv24
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 28, 2015
The former midfielder played 475 times for the Reds and between 1970 and 1981 won almost every single major honour in the game including two European Cups.
#LFC Academy head Alex Inglethorpe says Steve Heighway has been 'inspirational;' since part time return in January. Back full time now.
— Andy Kelly (@AndyK_LivNews) October 28, 2015
Great news about Steve Heighway. The club have not produced a top class youth player since he left.
— LFC4LIFENET (@LFC4LIFENET) October 28, 2015
https://twitter.com/LFCVine/status/659437081559760900
