Tough at the Kop

Liverpool legend Ronnie: First 6 months at Anfield were the worst in my life

- SYLVIA POWNALL

LIVERPOOL legend Ronnie Whelan said his first six months at Anfield was one of the worst times of his life.

The dad of three, who was capped 53 times for Ireland, said homesickness drove him to booze and gambling – and almost derailed his football career.

In 1979 the Dubliner, 60, was living in digs near Anfield, earning £150 a week at the age of 18; but he pined for his family back home in Finglas.

Ronnie said: “It was a massive big change, and for a good few months, not for the best because I was extremely homesick.

“Every day was a battle, in training as well, which I wasn’t used to, playing amateur football.