Liverpool's first ever league title triumph in English football happened more than a century ago, as the Reds had their first taste of league success in the 1900–01 campaign. A total of 19 league victories saw Liverpool become champion's, and a certain English forward played a huge role in their historic success as well.
That player was none other than Sam Raybould, who became that season's top league scorer with 17 goals to help Liverpool achieve eternal glory. Despite those heroics, Raybould isn't one of the most widely known players in the club's history. Hence we are writing this article here, as we pay tribute to the underrated Liverpool legend.
Before Liverpool
Raybould's early footballing years saw him play for the likes of Poolsbrook United, Staveley Colliery and North Staveley, followed by a trial at Chesterfield Town. However, the trial wasn't successful and the player eventually joined Ilkeston Town. The next chapter of his football career took him to Derby County, as he joined them in 1984.
The English forward managed to score 2 goals in 5 appearances for County, but he ultimately returned to non-league football with Ilkeston Town. Raybould went on to play for another plethora of clubs, as he joined the likes of Poolsbrook United, Ilkeston Town (for a third spell) and Bolsover Colliery before joining New Brighton Tower in 1899.
A new era
After an impressive 10 goal return in just 13 league games for New Brighton Tower, Raybould was signed by Liverpool manager Tom Watson in January 1900. He made his debut on 13th January 1900 in a 2–0 win over West Brom. His debut goal for the Reds came just a week later on 20th January in the Merseyside derby against Everton, but the hosts ended up winning the game 3-1.
Despite this defeat, Raybould went on to play a key role in Liverpool's historic maiden league triumph in the 1900-01 campaign. He finished that season as both club and league top scorer with 17 goals.
Although Raybould operated as an outside right, he switched to centre forward at Liverpool and became a highly successful goalscorer. The Englishman scored a then record 31 league goals in the 1902–03 season. This record stood until 1931 when Gordon Hodgson broke it by scoring 36 goals.
The Portsmouth controversy
The year of 1903 saw Raybould, along with his Liverpool teammates John Glover and William Goldie given a seven-month ban from football for agreeing to 'financial inducements' to sign for Southern League side Portsmouth. Although the club tried their best to claim innocence of the charges, they ultimately failed. In addition to the 7 month ban, Raybould was permanently banned from ever signing for the south-coast side.
The incident affected Liverpool drastically, as they struggled without Raybould and slumped from fifth place to relegation candidates. He was immediately back into the first team after his ban expired in December last of 1903. Raybould managed to score 4 goals in the following 15 fixtures, but it wasn't enough to prevent the reds from dropping into the Second Division.
Raybould however, went on to help Liverpool win the Second Division by scoring 19 goals. He eventually left the club in 1907, after 7 years at Anfield.
Remaining career
Raybould left Liverpool with legendary status, as the English forward left the reds after scoring over 130 goals in 226 appearances for the club. Those numbers made him their record goalscorer 37 years, and he currently sits as the eleventh highest goalscorer in Liverpool's history.
His record of scoring 67 goals in his first 100 games for Liverpool stood until 2020, until a certain Mohamed Salah overtook it.
Raybould went on to join Sunderland in 1907 after his time at Liverpool. This was followed by moves to Arsenal, Chesterfield Town, Sutton Town, and Barlborough United before ultimately bidding farewell to the beautiful game.
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