Iconic former Liverpool player Nick Tanner proves that if you try hard enough and always give 100%, then anything is possible
Emdad Rahman
The iconic Nick Tanner thought he’d struck gold when he made his debut for Bristol Rovers, his hometown club. But life was to get better for the fresh faced 20 year old who was setting off on a memorable football journey. The Bristolian reminisces: “My greatest career influence was Ralph Miller at Mangotsfield United. He was special and his coaching and mentoring thoroughly prepared me for what lay ahead on the field for me.” The Pirates mainly employed Tanner as a midfielder, and after passing 100 appearances Tanner was spotted by Liverpool Chief Scout Ron Yeats while he was watching striker Gary Penrice at Rovers.
A contract was signed for a switch to Anfield. Liverpool had extended their record to 17 League Championships and were one of the best teams in Europe. Having spotted Tanner, the legendary Yeats felt the new boy was better suited at the back, and with a whole host of established defenders ahead of him the youngster had to grit in and bide his time in the reserves while learning his new trade. Tanner made his debut against Manchester City in 1989 and made another three appearances that season.
The following season was spent mostly on the bench. He said: “There was a change in fortune after Graeme Souness took over the hot seat. Gary Gillespie had joined Celtic and Alan Hansen had retired after a glittering career. It was an opportunity for me to push my claim. I missed the first two games, but things really took off for me after that. I played 32 of the remaining games that season. I also made my goal scoring mark for the Reds, and what a moment it was – I scored in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. There was no goal line technology then and the Everton lads furiously protested that the ball hadn’t crossed the line. I was relieved that the ref saw it our way and awarded the goal.” On that note, Tanner wants to talk about the greatest goal he’s seen scored at Anfield. “It was undeniably the own goal I scored against Luton,” he laughs.
Graeme Souness’s reign at Anfield saw the record-breaking Liverpool team lapse into a period in which the Reds have failed to win a single League Championship or Premier League title. “The horrors of Hillsborough were fresh in the mind and the Club and the city were still in shock.” Unfortunately Tanner too suffered – “A back problem forced me to retire just when I thought I was making positive career inroads. It was a major blow, but I have great memories of my time at Anfield. I cost the Club a mere £20,000 and always gave 100%. It’s good to hear from fans, many have good memories of me. I had great times there. Mike Marsh is my best mate and Bruce Grobelaar’s madcap antics make him my ultimate football funny guy.”
Tanner’s most memorable career highlight is scoring on his first team debut for Bristol Rovers against sworn rivals Bristol City. “It was the stuff of dreams,” he said, “and all done while I was still working at British Aerospace. That special moment doubles up as my best ever goal too.”
When you talk to a former Red it’s hard not to ask them to single out the best footballer they played alongside. Tanner is unequivocal: “John Barnes was magic. I can’t say anything more than that. In terms of sheer ability Barnesey was just on another planet.”
As a rugged defender at Anfield, Tanner played in a period when hard men ruled the football roost. Intimidation and physical presence were regular features, and the tough stopper came up against a few who weren’t shy in introducing opponents to their boot studs. Tanner’s number one is the old king of The Den and the man nicknamed Warlock by Millwall fans. “For me it has to be Terry Hurlock in his Brentford days,” he reminisces. “I was at Bristol Rovers at the time. Hurlock was a tank and many a player was relieved when he travelled north of the border to play for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.”
I asked him about the best player he’d played against and again the answer was swift: “Eric Cantona. He scored three for Leeds against us in the Charity Shield and we got him that transfer to Manchester United – the rest is history. In terms of sheer ability I must stress again that John Barnes was the greatest I played with and against”
Tanner achieved not one, but two boyhood dreams during his playing career. “I supported Bristol Rovers, so that was extraordinary. Liverpool were the best team in the country and it was very special to sign for them. Not many people can say that. I’m really happy with what I have achieved in my career.”
Nick is involved in various ventures and is happy to talk about his exciting plans. “I want to start pushing myself much more. Having sat back, watched and helped other people progress, it’s time I looked after number one for a change. I’m doing work with various media; from co-commentary to match analysis. “I enjoy being involved and will look to spread my wings a bit more. I am also interested in continuing my event management with Global Sporting Ventures (GSV), a sports management consultancy specialising in a number of areas by bringing the world of business and sport together. I share a vision with GSV in that I believe that connecting the right people and offering the best products and services generates success and, in effect more opportunities.
“It’s something I have done all my life and feel that this role is a natural fit in that I always go for maximum exposure for clients and help create platforms to attract new audiences and enhance reputations. I’m also looking at getting footgolf started in a big way in Bristol via the Kendleshire www.kendleshire.com/ Golf Club – so watch this space for exciting announcements!”
In the week of the Hillsborough memorial and with the inquests taking place, Tanner recollects those dark days. “It was such a tragic day to be associated with and what makes things worse is justice is being served and the truth is only finally being unmasked all these years later, which is shameful. My thoughts are with the families always, but especially during this time.”
Tanner is a multi-talented man and I ask if he would like to coach or manage. “I actually did plenty of managing and coaching when I first retired a while back. It was at non-league level and I produced many young players who have gone on to make a decent living from the game. Phillip Walsh is now at Bath City. He went on to play for Dagenham and Redbridge. “It gave me great pride watching them fly the nest and go on to better things. I’ve also scouted at league level and believe I have got a great eye for a young player, but the game seems to be a job for the boys now, I’m afraid. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know unfortunately.”
Tanner played under Dalglish and Souness. He is backing current boss Brendan Rogers. “Is he the man? I think he’s a very good coach, especially of young players but there is a long way to go until he proves himself a very good manager. Only time will tell.” Tanner feels that Raheem Sterling needs to knuckle down and concentrate on his Liverpool career. “He definitely needs to stay at Anfield and has been badly advised by his management team. Our wonderful press aren’t helping, but I have it on good authority that he’s a lovely lad and he wants to stay at the club. Liverpool fans know their football and I hope the fans will lay off him and concentrate on supporting a Liverpool team with Raheem in it.”