Born in Durban South Africa in 1957 Bruce Grobbelaar will best be remembered for being one of the most decorated goalkeepers in British football history during his 13-year stint with the all conquering Liverpool. However it should not be forgotten that the first club to bring him to these shores was Crewe Alexandra way back in 1979. Brucie may have only enjoyed one season at Gresty Road, but his mad-cap antics won the hearts of the Alex faithful.

After doing his two-year national service in the Rhodesian army, where he served with the Rhodesian African Rivals fighting terrorists in the jungles of Africa, Bruce found refugee in his football. The horrors of war certainly saw him develop into a fun loving character, who didn't take the immense pressure of football too seriously. His on-pitch masks, handstands, wobbly knees and clashes with team-mates are now legendary in the chronicles of football.

He arrived in England at Crewe via Canada in 1979 after his club, the Vancouver Whitecaps, agreed to lend him to Tony Waddington's struggling Fourth Division side. The colourful keeper made his Crewe debut on 21 December 1979 in a 2-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic and went on to make just 24 appearances for the Alex, but is affectionately remembered by the Gresty Road fans.

During lull periods in the game, and in a thoroughly depressing season where the Alex finished second bottom and had to apply for re-election once more, he was often seen talking to the fans behind his goal, or would go on crazy dribbling runs out of his box in order to entertain the crowd. The colourful keeper kept eight clean-sheets during his short spell with the club, and ended it perfectly, and in typical Grobbelaar fashion, by scoring a penalty on the final day of the 1979/80 season against York City in a 2-0 victory.

After returning to the North American League with the Whitecaps for a short period, Bruce was soon back on these shores having been signed by Liverpool by the great Bob Paisley for £250,000 in March 1981. Before settling on Merseyside, Grobbelaar stayed with former Crewe centre-half Bob Scott in Wrexham and the two of them struck up a long-lasting friendship.

Bruce though had the daunting task of battling England goalkeeper Ray Clemence for the number one jersey at Anfield but, when Clemence was sold to Spurs, he got his chance at Anfield and took it with both hands.

Despite his eccentricity and showmanship Grobbelaar rose to the challenge at Anfield and showed remarkable agility and undesputable talent during his time with the club. After making his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 1981, the South African born Zimbabwean International went on to make 628 appearances for the Reds, winning an array of domestic and European trophies in the process.

As well as collecting 6 league titles and the domestic double in 1986, he won the FA Cup twice more, the League Cup four times as well as collecting four League Runners-Up medals and three FA and League Cup finalist medals.

In Europe he enjoyed similar success with one of the defining moments of the Grobbelaar era arriving in te 1984 European Cup final against Italian giants Roma. In a dramatic penalty shoot-out Bruce's 'wobbly legs' routine as Francesco Graziani stepped up to take a crucial spot kick, remains one of the iconic images of European football. The Italian promptly blazed his effort over the crossbar handing the Merseysiders a famous victory.

His glorious Liverpool career finally ended at the end of the 1993/94 season. Having lost his regular starting place to David James mid season and been sent on loan to Stoke City earlier in the campaign, Anfield boss Roy Evans decided to release the legendary goalkeeper to allow him to pursue regular first team football at the age of 37.

Bruce's career was not finished there however and he was quickly snapped up on a free transfer by Southampton manager Ian Branfoot in the summer of 1994. Two seasons at the Dell produced 40 appearances as he helped the Saints to an impressive tenth placed finish in the Premier League.

In 1997 he left Southampton, but decided to remain on the South Coast by completing a free transfer move to Plymouth Argyle where he made 41 appearances.

After just one season at Home Park, and at the age of 40 Grobbelaar began a nomadic football journey across the English lower leagues which saw him signing short term, non-contract deals to provide cover for injuries at various clubs. At one time or another he was on the books of Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham Athletic, non-league Chesham United, Bury, Lincoln City and Northwich Victoria before finally calling time on his playing career in 1999.

Sadly, throughout this period, Grobbelaar's image of a true footballing great was tarnished, aong with fellow professionals Hans Segers and John Fashanu, over allegations from the Sun newspaper regarding match fixing.

Charged with conspiracy to corrupt he was tried in 1997 in an epic battle through the courts which resulted in his aquittal, along with his co-defendants, in 1999. He was also awarded £85,000 damages by the Sun but this was reduced to just £1 upon appeal in the House of Lords whilst he was also ordered to pay the newspapers £500,000 costs.

Soon after Grobbelaar was declared bankrupt and returned to South Africa. "I came to Britain with £10 in my pocket and they gave me £1 back, but I enjoyed one hell of a journey along the way," was his quote as he waved his goodbyes.

Nowadays Bruce concentrates on coaching in both South Africa and Zimababwe. As well as enjoying a spell as the National manager with Zimbabwe, he has also coached South African top flight clubs  Manning Rangers, Super Sport United, Seven Stars,  Hellenic and the Umtata Bush Bucks.

Despite the controversy's that Grobbelaars's career has carried, he will be remembered as one of the most colourful, charasmatic and successful goalkeepers of all time and will retain a special place in the hearts of many Crewe Alex supporters.

Career Stats