John Aldridge was born in Liverpool on September 18th 1958. As a boy, he would frequently go to Anfield to watch his home-town team Liverpool play. England legend Roger Hunt was his boyhood idol and Aldridge later said that it was Hunt who provided his initial inspiration in wanting to become a great goalscorer! Aldridge had a trial with Liverpool as a boy; the club told him that he was not good enough however and let him go half way through it - however it was not one of the Merseyside club's best ever decisions; years later, Liverpool would fork out £750,000 for his services! In between, Aldridge played most notably at Oxford United. At the Manor Ground he played alongside Billy Hamilton and together the pair helped Oxford to the old English First Division from the Third Division in successive seasons.

John Aldridge in Irish colours for the first time - his debut against Wales in 1986.

In those days Oxford United was owned by the now-disgraced tycoon, Robert Maxwell. Aldridge's highly impressive record of 72 goals in 114 matches secured him the dream move to Liverpool that he had dreamed about since he was a child. He signed as a replacement for Ian Rush and before long Aldridge had replaced Rush as Liverpool's leading goalscorer too! He scored an incredible 50 goals in 83 league matches. Despite this Liverpool re-signed Ian Rush in 1989 and it was not long before Aldridge left Liverpool to join Spanish club Real Sociedad in 1989 for £1.1 Million. Aldridge's last act as a Liverpool player was to score during their 9-0 win over Crystal Palace; he threw his shirt and boots into the Kop after the match.

Aldridge celebrates scoring against Albania in 1992.

After two years in Spain, Aldridge returned to the city of Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers. Whilst in Spain he had won over an initially sceptical crowd with over 40 goals in 76 games. At Tranmere Rovers - and at 34 years of age - Alrdige really came into his own. He broke all sorts of records - he matched Dixie Dean's age-old record of scoring 20 goals by the end of October; he scored 40 goals during the 1991-1992 season - equalling a record set in 1934. By 1996 - and at the age of 38 - he was the top scorer in the 1st Division with 27 goals to his name. He did not retire from domestic football until he was 39 years old!

Aldridge after his goal against Latvia in 1993.

John Aldridge made his debut for Ireland in 1986 in the victory over Wales. He would become a lynchpin in Jack Charlton's team over the next ten years. Charlton valued his work-rate more highly than he valued his goals - Aldridge famously did not score for Ireland during his first 20 international matches! However, he was a huge factor is helping Ireland to their successes in West Germany in 1988; Italy in 1990; and the USA in 1994. During the 1994 World Cup Finals, he famously had an argument with a FIFA official while he was waiting to come on as a substitute during Ireland's defeat to Mexico. Unfortunately, a nearby TV microphone picked up all of the 'industrial' language that Aldridge was using! FIFA fined him after the match. Off the field, John Alridge was very well liked and respected by fans, journalists and players. He developed a reputation - particularly in Ireland - for being honest and hard-working and for putting the team's needs before his own personal needs. John Aldridge retired from International football in 1996. He won 69 caps for Ireland and scored 19 goals for them. He now lives in the North-west of England with his family and does work for a local radio station there.