Elisha Scott

Elisha Scott (24 August 1893 – 16 May 1959) was a Northern Irish football goalkeeper who played for Liverpool from 1912 to 1915 and from 1919 to 1934, and still holds the record as their longest-serving player. He also held the club record for most league appearances until it was surpassed by winger Billy Liddell in 1957.

Scott won back-to-back league championships with Liverpool in 1922 and 1923. Marking 100 seasons of English football in 1998, he was named in the Football League 100 Legends. Labelled "The First King of the Kop", his legendary status at Liverpool saw him honoured with a plinth outside Anfield in 2018. In 2026 Scott was listed at number 32 in an official poll of the club's greatest players. Renowned for his agility, courage, and charismatic leadership in goal, Scott was described by Everton striker Dixie Dean as "the greatest I've ever seen".

Life and playing career Elisha Scott played for Linfield and Broadway United before Liverpool manager Tom Watson signed him at 10 am on Sunday 1 September 1912, following a recommendation from Scott's older brother Billy Scott. Liverpool only got the chance to sign Scott when Everton decided that the 19-year-old was too young and inexperienced.

Scott made his Liverpool debut on 1 January 1913 at St James' Park in which he kept a clean sheet in a draw with Newcastle. Described by the Liverpool Echo as "an electrifying goalkeeper. Never stood still for a second", his 21 years of service to the club between 1913 to 1934 saw him become Liverpool's longest-serving player. He also held the club record for most league appearances until it was overtaken by winger Billy Liddell in the 1950s.

quote="Contemporary reports describe him as lithe and cat-like in his agility." — —Journalist John Keith. He accumulated 21 clean sheets of the 42 league fixtures in the 1922–23 season.

Numerous stories about Scott exist in Liverpool folklore. One such story relates to a 1924 game, after Scott had just made a phenomenal save at Ewood Park against Blackburn. A man appeared from the crowd went over to Scott and kissed him. Scott was part of one of the legendary rivalries of the day along with Everton's Dixie Dean. The two of them were the main topic of discussion when derby day was approaching – Everton declared that Dean would score whilst Liverpool disagreed, saying Scott wouldn't let a single shot past. A famous story, possibly apocryphal, associated with the two men was that of how they once encountered each other in Belfast city centre the day before an Ireland versus England game. Dean, famed for his remarkable heading ability, touched his hat and nodded to Scott as they were about to pass only for Scott to respond by diving as if to try to save an imaginary header, much to the initial shock and then delight of the locals who witnessed it while a mildly shocked Dean smiled and quietly continued on his walk. He finished by saying, "Last, but not least, my friends of the Kop. I cannot thank them sufficiently. They have inspired me. God bless you all."

Scott played his final game for Belfast Celtic in 1936 at the age of 42. In his time as manager of Belfast Celtic, Scott won 10 Irish League titles, 6 Irish Cups, 3 City Cups, 8 Gold Cups and 5 County Antrim Shields.

Career statistics

Honours

Player Liverpool Football League First Division: 1921–22, 1922–23

Belfast Celtic Irish League: 1918–19, 1935–36 Irish Cup: 1917–18 Gold Cup: 1934–35 County Antrim Shield: 1935–36

Individual Football League 100 Legends Liverpool F.C. Hall of Fame

Manager Belfast Celtic Irish League: 1935–36, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1947–48 Irish Cup: 1936–37, 1937–38, 1940–41, 1942–43, 1943–44, 1946–47 Gold Cup: 1934–35, 1938–39, 1939–40 County Antrim Shield: 1935–36, 1936–37, 1938–39, 1942–43, 1944–45 City Cup: 1939–40, 1947–48, 1948–49 Northern Regional League: 1940–41, 1941–42, 1943–44, 1946–47 Substitute Gold Cup: 1940–41, 1943–44, 1944–45, 1945–46, 1946–47