Extract from
Liverpool's official website... of cos:
Cannock's finest export Stanley Victor Collymore became Liverpool's
record signing during the summer of 1995 when Roy Evans paid
Nottingham Forest £8.5 million for one of football's hottest
properties.
Everton also made a bid for Collymore but the striker wanted to
join the Reds. After an excellent pre-season, Collymore made an
explosive Anfield debut with a stunning goal on the opening day of
the 1995-96 season in a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
However, in his next game at Leeds United he was injured and missed
the following three games. Again though he bounced back in style
with another stunning strike from 30-yards in a 3-0 win over
reigning champions Blackburn Rovers at Anfield.
Despite these spectacular strikes Collymore struggled to settle. He
scored just two goals in seven starts and was dropped to the bench
with Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush paired in attack. Frustrated,
Collymore took his problems out in the open and a controversial
magazine interview, when he questioned Roy Evans tactics and
criticised the club, did little to help his cause.
After a clear the air meeting with Evans, Collymore began to do his
talking where it mattered and established himself as a Kop
favourite. Restored to the attack, he formed an excellent
partnership with Robbie Fowler. Collymore scored 17 goals and
created countless others for the likes of Fowler, and played his
part in a quite extraordinary 4-3 thriller at Anfield against
Newcastle United.
Collymore scored twice that night including an incredible injury
time winner, which proved to be his finest moment as a Liverpool
player, but the season ended on a depressing low when Liverpool
lost the FA Cup Final to Manchester United, and a below par
Collymore was substituted.
The following season, which turned out to be Collymore's last at
Anfield, was even more controversial. He found himself in and out
of the side and, to make matters worse, he refused to turn out for
the reserves at Tranmere Rovers one midweek evening and was fined.
Another major problem was his refusal to live closer to Liverpool,
and he commuted from his home in Cannock.
With the emergence of Michael Owen Liverpool cut their losses and
sold Collymore to Aston Villa, the team he supported as a boy for
£7 million. However the striker was to have further off field
problems which tarnished his career. After undergoing treatment for
stress Collymore moved to Leicester City but after a good start he
had an argument with manager Peter Taylor.
Bradford City then took a chance of the enigmatic striker and sure
enough he made an electric start with a magnificent overhead kick
in the derby with Leeds United, but it all ended too early with the
Bantams cutting their wage bill.
Collymore then tried his luck in Spain with Real Oviedo but after
being told he was overweight and having to settle for a role on the
bench he decided to quit. Sensationally announcing his decision to
retire from football at the age of 30, Collymore said he was
hanging up his boots "to explore other career opportunities."
