Chris Lawler (born 20 October 1943) is a former footballer who enjoyed much of Liverpool's success of the mid 1960s to early 1970s. Life and playing career A right-sided defender, Lawler joined his local club when he turned 17 in October 1960, and made his debut at the age of 19 in a 2–2 league draw with West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on 20 March 1963. For two seasons his progression into first team regular was gradual, playing just six matches in each of the seasons, but by 1965 he was the first choice right back. He scored the first of his many goals (for a right-back) during that season in a 5–1 defeat of Burnley at Turf Moor on 5 December 1964. Lawler's timing and anticipation, enabling him to turn up in the right place at the right time to score vital goals, earned him the nickname 'The Silent Knight'. The 1964–65 season culminated in him being selected in the team which beat Leeds United in the FA Cup final at Wembley, winning the trophy for the first time in the club's history. Lawler missed just three games in the next seven seasons. During this period, he helped Liverpool win the League championship in 1966, ahead of Leeds by six points (in the old two points for a win system). This was followed by Liverpool being beaten 2–1 by Borussia Dortmund in the Cup Winners Cup at Hampden Park, Glasgow, in the Reds' first ever appearance in a major European final. Lawler was an automatic starter on the team that finished second to Leeds for the 1968–69 league championship. He survived manager Bill Shankly's massive cull of 1970 which saw many of the older 1960s stars replaced by younger talent; this was perhaps due to Lawler being only 26 years-old at the time and hence younger than many who did get culled. Other than Lawler, only Emlyn Hughes, Ian Callaghan and Tommy Smith were retained. Lawler again tasted defeat when he played in the 1971 FA Cup final loss to Arsenal. Liverpool won a League title and UEFA Cup double in 1973. Liverpool finished three points ahead of Arsenal in the league, while in the UEFA Cup final Liverpool defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–2 on aggregate (won the first leg 3–0 at Anfield, lost the second leg 2–0 in West Germany). It was during this period that Lawler won his