Throughout the course of our illustrious 120-year history many thousands of people have helped mould Liverpool Football Club into the worldwide institution it is today, be it players, managers, coaches, administrators, supporters or various others. No matter how big or small, everyone has played their own unique part in making it the club we all love. But who have been the most influential, made the biggest impact and left the lasting legacies?  In the fourth of a brand new 12-part series we continue our countdown of ‘120 Men Who Made LFC’...

90.    Tom Bradshaw (Player 1930-38)

A strapping six-footer more commonly, and ironically, known as ‘Tiny’, Tom Bradshaw was an imposing figure at the heart of the Liverpool defence for the majority of the 1930s. For a player of his build though he possessed impressive agility and won his solitary Scotland cap as a member of their famous ‘Wembley Wizards’ team that had defeated England in 1928. Signed from Bury for £8,000 two years later he went on to play 291 games for the club, mainly at centre-back, and was the proud owner of the captain’s armband between 1931 and ’34. Legendary Everton forward Dixie Dean described him as one of the finest sportsmen he ever came up against, while Liverpool Echo journalist of the time Leslie Edwards rated him as one of the best players to pull on the red shirt during the inter-war years.

89.   Joe Hewitt (Player 1904-10, Various roles 1911-71)

Top scorer in the 1905/06 title-winning team and long-serving member of the Liverpool staff after hanging up his boots, Joe Hewitt was considered very much part of the Anfield furniture for almost seven decades. He shot to prominence as a player in the early years of the last century. Signed from Sunderland in 1904, he could do little to stop the Reds sliding through the First Division trap-door in his first season at the club but when they returned in 1905/06 he had switched position from inside-left to centre-forward and the effect was devastating; Hewitt’s 24 goals in 37 appearances blasting Liverpool to a second League Championship success. He played on in front of the Kop until 1910 but that was the undoubted high-point of his playing career. A year after being sold to Bolton he had hung up his boots and returned to Anfield, where he remained a popular figure behind the scenes right up until his death in 1971, during which time he fulfilled the roles of trainer, club steward and press box attendant.

88.   John Toshack (Player 1970-78)

For the best part of the 1970s the towering presence of John Toshack struck fear into opposition defences and was a key factor in the success achieved by Liverpool at home and abroad during this time. Signed for £110,000 from his hometown club Cardiff in 1970 he made an immediate impact at Anfield when netting on his home debut in a famous 3-2 victory over Everton but is perhaps best remembered for his historic winner in the Nou Camp six years later. Standing tall at just over six foot, ‘Tosh’ was renowned for his aerial power but also possessed a deft touch and displayed great mobility for a big man. He struck up an almost telepathic understanding with strike partner Kevin Keegan; ‘Toshack, Keegan one nil’ becoming a familiar refrain of commentators up and down the country. Always popular with the fans, Kopites roared that he was their King and by the time he left to take up a player/manager role at Swansea in 1978 he did so having helped Liverpool to an impressive collection of domestic and European honours.

87.   Laurie Hughes (Player 1943-59)

The first Liverpool player to appear at the World Cup, Laurie Hughes was a classy centre-back whose lengthy Anfield career began during the war and finished shortly before the Shankly revolution. During this time he was a familiar figure in defence, collecting a League Championship medal in 1947, appearing in the FA Cup Final three years later and captaining the club during the season after relegation. Tall and gangly but deceptively skilful, his most notable attributes were his clever reading of the game and ability in the air. A former Liverpool schoolboys star, Hughes was signed from Tranmere and, although a late developer physically, matured into a fine defender. He won three England caps, all at the 1950 World Cup, and continued to serve the club with distinction in Division Two before seeing out his career in the Central League where he acted as an ideal role model to the club’s up and coming youngsters.

86.   Rick Parry (Chief Executive 1998-2009)

Rick Parry’s eleven years at the Anfield helm coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in the club’s history. Born and bred on Merseyside, a lifelong Liverpudlian and a graduate of Liverpool University his background was in accountancy and management consultancy. Prior to joining the club he’d played a major role in the formation of the Premier League, becoming its first chief executive in 1992. He took up a similar role at Liverpool six years later, replacing Peter Robinson, and was to oversee the accumulation of ten major trophies during his time in office. Other notable achievements include the construction of the club’s ground-breaking youth Academy in Kirkby and the appointment of Champions League winning manager Rafael Benitez. However, the club’s constant battle to maintain financial parity with their closest rivals, coupled with the team’s ongoing inability to regain its former glories in the league was to become the cause of much behind-the-scenes turmoil and he ultimately paid the price, being relieved of his position by then owners Hicks and Gillett in February 2009.

85.   Steve Nicol (Player 1981-95)

The £300,000 paid to Ayr United for Steve Nicol in October 1981 must go down as one of the shrewdest transfer acquisitions in Liverpool history. His arrival as a relative unknown 19-year old went almost unnoticed but he left 14 years later having distinguished himself as the latest in a long line of legendary Anfield Scots. Enthusiastic, determined and highly consistent, Nicol could pass, tackle and run all day. His versatility was also a priceless asset. Principally a right-back, he was equally adept at operating on the right side of midfield and also slotted in on the left of defence with devastating effect when given license to roam forward, especially during the 1987/88 season. The butt of many a dressing room joke he may have been but on the pitch Nicol was a player who commanded the ultimate respect of his colleagues and in 1988/89 he was deservedly voted Footballer of the Year. There seemed to be no end to the Scotsman's talents and a competent spell at centre-half in the absence of Alan Hansen was further proof of his indispensable value to the team.

84.   Tom Bromilow (Player 1919-30)

A cultured double title-winning half-back, local lad Tom Bromilow was a virtual ever-present in the Liverpool team for an entire decade. He was signed on after leaving the army, having initially turned up at Anfield in uniform and asking for a trial. The impact he made was immediate and the then club secretary George Patterson described it as ‘one of the luckiest signings I have made.’ It was 1919, the Reds were on the cusp of a glorious new era and Bromilow had a key role to play, missing just three games as the First Division Championship was won in successive seasons during the early twenties. The artistry in his play acted as the perfect complement to the more robust nature of his fellow half-backs Wadsworth and McNab, and he was deservedly honoured at international level. Went into management when eventually leaving Liverpool in 1930 but maintained a strong affection for the club and lost out to George Kay for the manager’s job at Anfield six years later.

83.   WE Barclay (Secretary/Manager 1892-96)

A prominent member of the club’s hierarchy during the formative years of its existence, Walter Barclay had previously held the role of Vice-President at Everton. Following the acrimonious split of 1892 he was one of the few who remained loyal to John Houlding and together with John McKenna immediately assumed responsibility for assembling the first-ever Liverpool team, travelling extensively in the search for new talent. Although McKenna was viewed by many as the senior figure in this partnership, Barclay’s contribution was equally important. Renowned throughout football for his great enthusiasm, knowledge and organisational skills, Barclay was also the Headmaster of a local school and a highly-respected figure within the city. His tenure as secretary/manager lasted only four years but brought great success, including two Second Division Championships as rapid strides were made in establishing the club as force to be reckoned with.

82.   Chris Lawler (Player 1963-76 & Reserve Team Manager 1983-86)

One of the most prolific full-back's in football history, Chris Lawler played a prominent role in both of Bill Shankly's great Anfield teams and later returned to successfully serve on the backroom staff. Quiet and self-effacing off the field - qualities which earned him the nickname 'Silent Knight' - Lawler oozed class and composure on it. In total, he amassed a remarkable 61 goals for the Reds – a stat that is even more amazing when you consider he achieved this without the aid of penalties. A master at the art of making blind side runs, he was a potent weapon as honours came Liverpool’s way both domestically and on the continent. He came back to coach the club’s reserve team for three years in the mid-eighties, leading them to two Central League titles, but it was his time as a player for which he made the biggest impact.

81.   Matt Busby (Player 1936-39)

He’s revered at the wrong end of the East Lancashire Road for his managerial achievements but let it not be forgotten that Matt Busby was also a highly influential player at Anfield during the late 1930s. A stylish half-back who was signed from Manchester City for £8,000 in February 1936, his capture was a major coup for a Liverpool side that fallen on hard times. His intelligent distribution and tireless work ethic instantly earmarked him as a shining light in the club’s ongoing battle against mediocrity. Seemingly always one step ahead of the game he became a huge favourite among the fans, so much so that three decades later when a poll was conducted to select an all-time Reds XI, Busby was voted captain. The outbreak of War, when he had just turned 30, was to bring his playing career to a halt and although offered a job on the Anfield backroom staff the ambitious Scot had other plans. Liverpool’s loss was Manchester United’s gain but his parting gift was the recommendation that the club sign a young Billy Liddell.