Remembering LFC’s ‘Untouchables’ 100 years on: ‘Together they were unbreakable’

Wherever those of a Liverpool persuasion glance in the history books, there is often a compelling story to be found.

The Reds have a long, rich and storied history, and on April 21, 1923 – 100 years ago today – one of the incredible chapters was etched.

Liverpool hosted Huddersfield Town at Anfield and played out a 1-1 draw, with Harry ‘Smiler’ Chambers netting to secure a vital point for his team.

Thanks to closest rivals Sunderland suffering defeat, it was a point that secured a First Division league title having opened an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.

What made the achievement remarkable was that Liverpool had lifted the very same trophy 12 months prior – meaning the club had secured back-to-back titles for the first time since forming in 1892.

The group of men who thrust Liverpool to the fore had become known in the press and among fans as ‘The Untouchables’. And they were just that, enjoying an impressive two-year period that saw them dominate the national game.

“No Liverpool team had done it before,” Jeff Goulding, co-author of Untouchables: Anfield’s Band of Brothers, told Liverpoolfc.com.

“Liverpool had won two titles before in 1901 and 1906, but hadn’t managed back-to-back titles, so this team was the most consistent Reds side that there had ever been. Although other clubs achieved this distinction, it is remarkable that given some of the great Liverpool teams to grace Anfield over the years, no other Reds team would repeat the feat until 1977, when legendary manager Bob Paisley led his team to consecutive league titles.

“Even the great Bill Shankly didn’t manage to win back-to-back titles – so for ‘The Untouchables’ to have done it 100 years ago is a remarkable achievement for that team.”

The story is one of great collective and personal triumph – both on and off the pitch. A large portion of the double title-winning squad had returned from the First World War in 1919, to a city ravaged by a flu pandemic.

After guiding his team to a first title in 1922, Liverpool’s manager David Ashworth stunned the club and supporters alike by resigning halfway through the following season in December in favour of a return to former club Oldham Athletic – who were pitted in a relegation battle.

“Mystery still surrounds why he did that, there are many different theories,” Jeff continued. “Liverpool battled on with a caretaker manager until February and then Matt McQueen, a former player, who’d been part of a previous championship-winning team, took over as manager.

“He managed to get them over the finish line, securing the club’s second championship in as many years. Though the story goes that he wouldn’t touch the trophy or accept any accolades, because he didn’t feel he deserved the recognition.

“One of the things that always blows me away about this team is that they had come back from war and some of the experiences that about six or seven of the players endured on the battlefield… it beggars belief that they would come back mentally intact after the things they’d seen and witnessed.

“In particular, the likes of Danny Shone, who suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and came pretty close to losing his life. Tom Bromilow also fought in Passchendaele, which was one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. And Jock McNab… he was a hero. He won medals for valour after saving lives on the battlefield.

“So to come back home and lead any kind of life after that is an achievement itself, but then to go on and play in an elite sport, not only play but win remarkable titles and achieve great things… it really needs to be spelled out what an incredible thing that was for those players.”

Last April, a banner in remembrance of the team was welcomed on the Kop by those who are keen not to let history be forgotten easily. It was a recreation of the first banner to have ever been recorded at Anfield and remains a nod to those who laid the very foundations that the club is built on to this day.

“I think most people associate Liverpool with slogans like ‘Unity is Strength’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’,” Jeff added.

“Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly famously talked about the power of the collective, and we tend to think now that these are post-war ideals brought in during the ’60s and carried on through the ’70s and ’80s.

“But what’s evident when you read newspaper articles about ‘The Untouchables’ period is that they were synonymous with that approach. They were a real team of all the talents, they were footballers who thought deeply about the game, but who also worked hard for each other.

“I suppose their experiences in war, either on the battlefield or at home living in Liverpool – a city that suffered many losses during the war – taught them that you only achieve anything in life if you stand shoulder to shoulder and work hard together.

“There is a great quote about them being like the proverbial bunch of sticks; get them on their own and you might be able to break one of them, but together they’re unbreakable – you can’t beat them.

“The title ‘Untouchables’ kind of summarises that really, that you couldn’t get near them when they’re all working together and they’re all playing to the best of their ability. I think great Liverpool teams of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s really epitomised that – but the ethos was at the club much earlier.”